Forgot boat plug- wet Mercrusier 140

[Wakesilver]

While trying some nighttime boating without the plug, motor got a bath and took in water probably at the rear seal or rear oil pan gasket. Yes, I am at fault. Yes, it was that deep. Yes, I knew there was some sort of oil leak there when I changed the coupler but figured that I would never have the motor at such a steep angle (or under water) that said leak would be an issue.

We found the plug, put it in, bailed, fiddled with wires, got the bilge pump to work, and puttered into shore under power.

We got home, checked the dipstick (the oil one on the boat, not the captain, already know what he is). We got gallons of chocolate milkshake. I searched the forum and youngest child who couldn't sleep and I started mightnight wrenching. We drained the oil, refilled with 3 qt oil 1 qt diesel and installed a clean orphan filter that fit. We idled the motor for a couple of minutes on the muffs and shut it down. I went back this morning, oil is a still a little milky as expected.


I am looking for advice as to what to do next:

A) should I keep changing the oil and filters until there is no emulsified oil/water in there (and would a little over filling of oil and/or addition of diesel help to clean out the motor).

B) is the boating season over and the fall wrenching season beginning with pulling out the motor and at a minimum changing seals and gaskets

C) send out alternator and starter for cleaning/rebuild (both still work but got a bath). And fix the bilge pump wires and install a float switch. And get one of those nifty tubes that screws into the oil pan drain to allow for topside oil changes. And start a pre-launch check list. And...

D) all of the above

E) B and C

F) Other (please specify)____________________________

Thanks!

 

[wildways1976]

Re: Forgot boat plug- wet Mercrusier 140

I had a simular inccadent, I just changed the oil a couple of times and continued to run my boat.... I do how ever plan on doing some mods in the spring again so I will be going through all of my gaskets and mount bushings... You should be fine, if any doubt run some lucas with the last oil change...

 

[Wakesilver]

Re: Forgot boat plug- wet Mercrusier 140

Thanks, folks. My coworkers are getting a good laugh and I have heard a bunch more "forgot the plug" stories as a result of telling mine.

I think I must have something loose/cracked/otherwise not whole in the rear of the motor since it leaked oil a little as I lowered the motor back in after the couple change. Since the oil level never changed or leaked into the bilge as the boat ran I thought all was OK enough to keep going and to put it on a distant future "to-do" list.

It would be nice to be able to service it (multiple oil changes and idling as suggested) this week and get a couple more runs on the lake in over the next month. But I would rather not damage anything else in my zeal to be on (not in) the water.

Anything special to do with the starter? I think it was the worst under water of any of the other electrical parts.

 

[PiratePast40]

Re: Forgot boat plug- wet Mercrusier 140

Water in the starter is never a good thing. It may hold out for a few more outings or it may not. Best bet is to get it to a shop for inspection and rebuild or buy another one. I would imagine that the shop should only have it a few days to rebuild it so you won't be losing much time on the lake.

As for the oil leak issue, it's up to you. just keep in mind that Harry Callahan might be askin "do you feel lucky......?".

 

[Wakesilver]

Re: Forgot boat plug- wet Mercrusier 140

Thanks.

I bought a double shot of oil and filters and ran for about 20 minutes on last night's sauce. Started immediately and puttered well at 1250 rpm. Tomorrow I will change the oil and filter and idle it again.

I am considering getting another starter and alternator and rebuilding the originals as spares. Have people had good or bad experiences with less expensive aftermarket units?

 

[cr2k]

Re: Forgot boat plug- wet Mercrusier 140

Alternator may last quite awhile. Sealed bearings and only brushes.

Starter depending on condition prior to submersion may or may not last to the end of season. A local shop should be able to rebuild it. As soon as you hear it drag it's done.

Oil may have entered engine via dipstick tube at block. When idling it wont hurt to pull the oil caps on the valve covers too. It will allow a little more steam out.

Forgot plug...Hey I did that last weekend at the lake. Got it in before too much water got in, however.

How else would we know if our bilge pumps are working properly?

Defecation occurs.

 

[PiratePast40]

Re: Forgot boat plug- wet Mercrusier 140

There are different opinions on cheaper aftermarket starters. Most people feel that your OEM starter is much higher quality. If it can be rebuilt, it's probably a much better option. Funny part is, it might cost more to rebuild your starter than to buy the lighter weight aftermarket. Local shop here charged me $100 for a starter rebuild. I didn't consider it a bad deal but then again, there are lots of opinions.

 

[Bt Doctur]

Re: Forgot boat plug- wet Mercrusier 140

Pull the drive because you most likely have/had water back up into the bellows.

 

[Wakesilver]

Re: Forgot boat plug- wet Mercrusier 140

Thanks for the thoughts on the starter and alternator.

Pull the drive because you most likely have/had water back up into the bellows.

Wow. I didn't even think of that, thanks. Does it also warrant a peek in the upper drive for water too?

 

[Wakesilver]

Re: Forgot boat plug- wet Mercrusier 140

Drive pulled, water in bellows...

Can the motor be plumbed to run as if it were on muffs with the drive off until I get the oil straightened out? Or better to get the gaskets and drive back on first?

It also looks like there are a few part-outs of Merc 140's on the local Craigslist. Now I am thinking I could get a used starter and alternator and keep them on board as spares or put them on and get the other set rebuilt, and then swap them back.

Thanks!

 

[Fix'em]

Re: Forgot boat plug- wet Mercrusier 140

You can stick the garden hose straight into the water intake pipe on the transom from the drive, or even put it straight into the T-stat housing where the water goes to after being pumped up from the drive if you'd like. You just have to find something to seal the hose to the pipe. It can leak a little, no big deal there.

As for your starter question from earlier, simply remove the starter, open it up,(remove the main casing), dry it out, clean it with electrical cleaner and re-lube everything. Re-assemble. Should be fine. The reason starters fail after a dip is because people leave the water/condensation inside and it corrodes and wears. Simple fix to save your starter.

 

[Wakesilver]

Re: Forgot boat plug- wet Mercrusier 140

Thanks!

I think I will try opening the starter tonight. If the weather agrees maybe another oil change and running the motor hooked to the hose.

 

[totx]

Re: Forgot boat plug- wet Mercrusier 140

That being said, I think you may have other issues because I can not imagine any gasket on the block that would allow that sort of water intrusion.

Agree...

Did you check your oil before this accident?

After test run on the hose, I would drain some oil from the oil pan.
Ore such up oil from the bottom of the oil pan. To check for water.

 

[ColaTM]

Re: Forgot boat plug- wet Mercrusier 140

Similar issue here...Rained so freaking hard that it filled the bilge because I left the plug in. Have not started it because I didn't want anything to get up into the engine but oil pan is milky so I need to change the oil.

What are you referring to when you talk about "Diesel" in this thread?

Thanks.

 

[bigskiohio]

Re: Forgot boat plug- wet Mercrusier 140

put them in a warm oven to dry them out, my maintainence man did that with all types of electrical motors. He did my pool pump 7yrs ago, still running when all my friends have repleaced 1 or 2 pumps. to run water in got some clear hose and put a garden water hose repair kit on it and electrical tape wrapped around the end that goes into water port for snug fit. will post pic later

 

[Wakesilver]

Re: Forgot boat plug- wet Mercrusier 140

Thanks for the replies, everyone. No wrenching last night, next few days look better.

Agree...

Did you check your oil before this accident?

After test run on the hose, I would drain some oil from the oil pan.
Ore such up oil from the bottom of the oil pan. To check for water.

Yes, oil level and condition looked OK all summer until now. That is a good idea to suck some up from the bottom of the pan to check for more water in the oil. Yes, I think something is not right that so much water got in

Similar issue here...Rained so freaking hard that it filled the bilge because I left the plug in. Have not started it because I didn't want anything to get up into the engine but oil pan is milky so I need to change the oil.

What are you referring to when you talk about "Diesel" in this thread?

Sorry to hear that our boats are in the same condition.

I read another post where an owner mixed some diesel fuel in the oil while doing a "drain-fill-run at idle-drain-repeat". I imagine the reason for diesel is to make make the oil more fluid to splash around for cleaning. They might have gone slightly over book capacity but I am going by the dipstick.

to run water in got some clear hose and put a garden water hose repair kit on it and electrical tape wrapped around the end that goes into water port for snug fit.

-Clear hose, yes, I am visualizing it from your description. I like the oven idea too, did you co-worker take the motors apart before "baking" them?

Thanks Everyone!

 

[ColaTM]

Re: Forgot boat plug- wet Mercrusier 140

Ah, fuel. Thanks.

 

[Wakesilver]

Re: Forgot boat plug- wet Mercrusier 140

S'allright
I went after the starter this morning, the inside bolt is giving me trouble as the socket pinches against a bolt on the cover of the flywheel. Is it really removeable on the boat? Has anyone ever switched the bolts to be internal socket (allen wrench/hex key) to avoid the clearance issues?

The first refill of oil is still in there but doesn't even look very cloudy except for the lowest point on the stick. I take this as good news.

My choices seem to be change the oil and go boating, fight the starter then change the oil and go, or call it a year and start repairs early. The tools have been used more than the hour meter this year, hoping for better days next year.

 

[totx]

Re: Forgot boat plug- wet Mercrusier 140

S'allright
I went after the starter this morning, the inside bolt is giving me trouble as the socket pinches against a bolt on the cover of the flywheel.

What about just removeing the bolt who pinch?
Ore remove the dust cover.... (Part # 9 in link)

http://www.boats.net/parts/search/M...718 THRU 0B450800/FLYWHEEL HOUSING/parts.html

 

[Wakesilver]

Re: Forgot boat plug- wet Mercrusier 140

That is a good idea, toxt. I am just thinking if it is better to do everything now rather than to wait, even though I loose a couple of times in the water.