Servicing a Submerged Motor
A submerged motor must be serviced immediately after it is recovered
from the water in order to minimize corrosion.
If there is a Honda outboard motor dealership nearby, take the motor im-
mediately to the dealer. If you are far from a dealership, proceed as follows:
1. Remove the engine cover, and rinse the motor with fresh water to
remove salt water, sand, mud, etc.
2. Loosen the carburetor drain screw (p. 391, drain the contents of the car-
buretor into a suitable container, then retighten the drain screw.
3. Change the engine oil (p. 28). If there was water in the engine
crankcase, or the used engine oil showed signs of water contamination,
then a second engine oil change should be performed after running the
engine for l/2 hour.
4. Remove the spark plugs. While pressing the engine stop button, pull the
recoil starter several times to completely expel water from the cylinders.
CAUTION:
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When cranking the engine with an open ignition circuit (spark plugs.
removed from the ignition circuit),. keep the engine stop button
depressed to prevent electrical damage to the ignition system.
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If the motor was running when it submerged, there may be
mechanical damage, such as bent connecting rods. If the engine
binds when cranked, do not attempt to run the motor until it has been
repaired.
5. Pour a teaspoon of engine oil into each spark plug hole, then pull the
recoil starter several times to lubricate the inside of the cylinders.
Reinstall the spark plugs.
6. Attempt to start the engine.
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If the engine fails to start, remove the spark plugs, clean and dry the
electrodes, then reinstall the spark plugs and attempt to start the
engine again.
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If the engine starts, and no mechanical damage is evident, continue
to run the engine for l/2 hour or longer (be sure the water level is at
least 4 inches above the anti-cavitation plate).
7. As soon as possible, take the motor to a Honda outboard motor dealer