Water in gas tank/engine

[Kgre21]

My 23' mako with a 92' 225 mariner engine went a bit under water (the engine itself didn't go under) about 4 days ago. Just yesterday I found out that water got into the vent and filled the gas tank with about 25 gallons (80 gallon tank). However it did take me about 3 days of light troubleshooting to figure that much out, after changing the fuel water separator, new batteries, new spark plugs and trying to get my engine to turn over I finally had enough sense to check my gas and thats when I found the water. Dumb yes but it is my first boat.
After I pumped all the water out of the fuel tank the engine lit right up, I ran it for about 30 mins to warm it up and evaporate any water left over in the engine/lines.

I am worried about my engine in the long term, because when I was troubleshooting I was pumping salt water into the fuel lines and engine which sat there for about 3 days.

1. What should I check with my check/ replace on my engine to make sure it will last?
2. Is there anything I should do or add to my tank like dry gas to flush any of the salt residue out?

Thanks for your help

 

[tpenfield]

Re: Water in gas tank/engine

You might want to also post this on THT (thehulltruth.com) if you have not done so already . . . there seem to be more salt water folks over there.

The engine is going to be tough to say, a compression test and a cylinder leak could indicate if there is any immediate damage. You could also do a leak test at low pressure with the cylinders at BDC to see if you are getting any significant leak at the reed valves (2-cycle engine right?). I had an I/O engine (Mercruiser) that had salt water sit in the cylinders for a few days. It did not look *too* bad when I opened it up.

As for the fuel tank, that too could be tricky as it will be difficult to tell what has happened inside. I am assuming that it is an aluminum tank. that's where the folks on THT may be helpful based on the abundant salt water experience over there.