Submerged starter, alternator, Power Trim: Replace???

[mstevens]

97 Glastron 3.0LX Mercruiser Alpha One Gen 2

Ok I forgot the plug in freshwater. Sat in the water for about 3 hours and then was drained. There is no damage to the 3.0 LX motor and it is at the shop to have the sterndrive pulled, bellows emptied, and regrease/lube.

Everything works. Trim oil system is water contaminated but I am having the shop take care of that.

Shop recommends replacement of the starter, alternator and Power Trim. Insurance will only completely cover reman or rebuilt parts. Should I take the check and wait for something to break or replace? What kind of parts should I replace with?

 

[Uraijit]

Re: Submerged starter, alternator, Power Trim: Replace???

Just pull them apart and spray them out well with electrical contact cleaner. If you get on it early enough, you can dry it all out before it starts rusting everything away!

If you're too late, I would cash out the insurance for those parts, and if they break, buy the parts off Ebay. You should be able to buy new parts for less than the cost of the "remanufactured" parts that the shop is trying to give you. Just make sure they're MARINE parts.

 

[mstevens]

Re: Submerged starter, alternator, Power Trim: Replace???

Thanks Uraijit. I didn't do any of this. This happened 26 Jul. I drained the water from the boat and left the back seat up and it was hot (95 to 100) outside. I have run the boat since and have had no troubles. Is it too late?

 

[Uraijit]

Re: Submerged starter, alternator, Power Trim: Replace???

If the parts are still working, then it's probably not too late. I'm sure they're long since dry by now, but it couldn't hurt. Contact cleaner will dry it out Uber-fast.

 

[wca_tim]

Re: Submerged starter, alternator, Power Trim: Replace???

Another good way to handle water like that is with isopropyl alcohol... (rubbing alcohol), it's not an aggressive solvent that will damage things, but will solubilize salts and water. I saved a cell phone that got dunked in brackish water by rinsing it in isopropyl alcohjol and then letting it dry out for a weel before I put the battery back in...

Contact cleaner is great for removing oils, grease, dust, etc... but won't touch the salts or water (most are hydrocarbons). also, wd-40, water displacement... is great for displacing water and will remvoe a small amount of salts, and a good bit of water...

 

[Uraijit]

Re: Submerged starter, alternator, Power Trim: Replace???

I don't know about salts, but it will sure dry out the water... Much faster than alcohol I might add. But Alcohol works too.

 

[mstevens]

Re: Submerged starter, alternator, Power Trim: Replace???

thanks for all the advice! My engine was covered to within 2 inches of the top of the crank case. That is below the carburetor I believe. I have checked the oil and no water is in the oil and it runs fine. I am a little concerned that water could have gotten in through the spark plugs. I never pulled them, but I did check the wires and they all look perfect. I assume that the plugs seal tightly and if water had gotten in, I'd see it in the oil. Is this right? I didn't think to check on the fuel system, but again I ran the boat and it runs good. Any way to see if water is in the fuel or don't worry at this point?

Also, that boat is now at the shop to have annual service to include pulling the lower unit to empty the bellows and regrease the gimbal bearing and u joint, change the plugs, impeller, and change all fluids etc. It has now been 10 days since this incident. Am I looking at more problems down the line since it has been so long?

 

[kimbill]

Re: Submerged starter, alternator, Power Trim: Replace???

Our 5.0L OMC starter has been under fresh water four times this Summer, and she still stars -- heavy rains and faulty auto-bilge pump.......I'd report it to the ins. co. just incase it leads to future troubles.


Bill

 

[gatorgitter]

Re: Submerged starter, alternator, Power Trim: Replace???

I suspect that since they ( the parts) got seriously wet, thier longevity has been significantly reduced ; I believe thats what happened to me , and ~6 months later the starter giving me trouble (on a fairly new VP powered boat). I think it was the solenoind, but I replaced the entire unit...

Think about the cost of breaking down , due to a premature parts failure. Typlically, I boat in a small freshwater lake, so a beakdown wound't be Too Big of a problem. But I took the family to the Keys, and there, under those circumstances, a breakdown would be much more of a problem. That's why I replaced the starter just as it started acting up...

Personally, I think I'd take the insurance check, and buy new oem parts off ebay , as Uraijit suggested.


Good Luck,
gator.

 

[SS MAYFLOAT]

Re: Submerged starter, alternator, Power Trim: Replace???

If it was mine, here is what I would do. I would dis-assemble the parts. Wash well with fresh clean water. Put the parts in a convection oven for 24 hrs at 150*F. If you can get the bearings at a local shop, replace them. Starters have bushings, so you want to grease those before putting them back together.

August 2008, my shop got flooded with 4' of water. Welders, plasma cutters, air compressors, lots of commercial kitchen equip, etc. I took every thing apart and did what I mentioned above. Those tools are used daily in my shop and works like it did before. Even the items with expensive circuit boards are still working. The main thing is not to wait too long. Careful of some circuit/contact cleaners as they can dissolve some plastics and the coatings on circuit boards.

 

[Limited-Time]

Re: Submerged starter, alternator, Power Trim: Replace???

SS is spot on with his advice....................and if followed the parts should last as if never baptized..........

 

[mstevens]

Re: Submerged starter, alternator, Power Trim: Replace???

All: I appreciate all of the advice! Where might I find a convection oven to fit such items? And you mention bearings. Do you mean in the alternator? When you mean to take apart are you suggesting I open the housing on the items? Again thanks! I plan on taking that check and doing the wait and see and not get too far with my boat as to not be without cell phone reception for awhile.

 

[SS MAYFLOAT]

Re: Submerged starter, alternator, Power Trim: Replace???

All: I appreciate all of the advice! Where might I find a convection oven to fit such items? And you mention bearings. Do you mean in the alternator? When you mean to take apart are you suggesting I open the housing on the items? Again thanks! I plan on taking that check and doing the wait and see and not get too far with my boat as to not be without cell phone reception for awhile.

If your not that mechanically inclined, this is not the route for you. It does mean taking things completely apart. I picked up a used convection oven at a used appliance store. As for bearings, you will need a puller and a press for R/R. Even the sealed bearings will take on water. Just a few microns of dirt added with the water can wipe out a bearing. It may work for awhile, but when it is sitting idle not being used is when the damage starts to happen.

If the insurance is going to pay the bill, go that route. You will be back in the water faster. I do a lot of mechanical/ technical work so it is not a big deal to me. I only suggest this if your confidence is high on the ability to successfully tear something apart and to put it back together without spare parts left over ............SS

 

[mstevens]

Re: Submerged starter, alternator, Power Trim: Replace???

Again much thanks to all who have posted advice. I just got word from the shop that there was water in the bellows, gimbal, and u joint, but the grease kept all ok. They dried everything and did the annual maintenance. They say the boat is running nice. However, they didn't change the trim oil, but I have have tried myself a few times, by funnelling 6 qts of oil through it. There's still some water in it. They of course are still recommending complete replacement of the parts. I think I am going to take my chances for now.

I plan on trying to get more of the water out of the trim. Any recommendations on how I should do this other than take the motor off, remove the reservoir and remove the external lines so I can pump the pistons by hand? Will this water damage the trim pump, pistons, or other parts of the system? I know i need to do the best I can...