Cure for a Submerged Outboard

[off-the-grid]

After a week with no motor, I changed the spark plug, and it started working again. Yesterday morning it even started on the first pull. Then it wound up underwater...again. Last time that happened it started right up.

Well this time not so good. So far I rinsed with fresh water. So, what do I try next?

So close to dumping this thing and just sticking with the oars...or maybe leaving Miami for someplace that doesn't have a dinghy sinking wall.

[WoundedWarrior]

pulled plugs again and upended the motor to drain fluid from cylinders?

[WoundedWarrior]

oh, and was it running when it went under?

[John A]

It maybe to late but, pour a couple of tablespoons of oil in the sparkplug hole and crank to lube the whole inards. crank to get all the oil out and replace the sparkplug.
If it starts again, run at high rpm.
Never use it for distances greater than you wish to row. Confidence is not high.

[Auspicious]

Change all fluids. Open all the electrical connectors and spare with WD-40. Drain carb bowls. Try again.

[avb3]

Perhaps you now have a new anchor?

[bill good]

pull it down & wash all parts in diesel replace points if not cdi. Reassemble.

[GordMay]

Originally Posted by bill good

pull it down & wash all parts in diesel* replace points if not cdi. Reassemble.

Or kerosene*.

[lorenzo b]

Bite the bullet and take it to the dealer. Should do that anyway every few years. Motors that are not 100% reliable are 100% worthless.

[off-the-grid]

Originally Posted by lorenzo b

Bite the bullet and take it to the dealer. Should do that anyway every few years. Motors that are not 100% reliable are 100% worthless.

Thanks, I'll try some of these suggestions, but I think we have a winner here!

Even before I got to Miami this thing has been kind of inconsistent.

[WillJacocks]

Use MMO to soak the pistons. Just put a little bit in each spark plug hole. Should help to keep pistons lubed up and rust free until you get it worked on. (Marvel Mystery Oil)

[off-the-grid]

Sprayed the **** out of everything and got it running again, but...

I have to keep it choked. If I let out the choke even a little it stalls more often than not. Same with the RPM. I really have to keep the throttle up, or it tends to stop too. Good thing it's only a 2HP.

[doug86]

tear the carb apart and clean all. One speck of yuck can make it run really poorly. Don't drop anything!

[off-the-grid]

Originally Posted by doug86

tear the carb apart and clean all. One speck of yuck can make it run really poorly. Don't drop anything!

When am I going to learn...that's always the answer, isn't it?

[SkiprJohn]

Definitely if you have to choke it to keep it running its always the carb.

Good luck. Don't give up. The more you work on it the more you know how to keep it running.

kind regards,