T&T: Sunken Outboard

[Larry N. Brown]

Now here's a really non-controversial topic. Except for my own stupidity, that
is.

Don't ask me how it happened. The Livingston's supposed to be self bailing but
the perfect storm came over southern Louisiana a couple weeks ago and I looked
out to see just the forward half of the dink sticking out above the river
water. Hooked a come-along onto the motor and pulled it level with Cigano. The
2002, Yamaha 25 HP 4 stroke was under river water for maybe 15 minutes. It was
too late to do anything that night so I got on it the next morning.

I couldn't get at the crankcase drain plug but I put a hose down the dipstick
and changed the oil. Then I pulled the plugs and turned it over, blowing out
much water. Pulled the float bowl screw and drained out water. Filled the tank
with fresh gas. Flushed oul fuel line and strainer. Cleaned air intake and
pumped some carb cleaner through it. Cranked engine ran it a bit. Changed oil.
Cranked and ran and oil changed MANY times until the oil was very clean. Yes,
changed filters too.

Now, fast forward. The engine, which used to purr smoothly at 700 turns, no
longer does. I can run the boat at 5600 rpm smoothly but coming down through
about around 1200 rpm, it starts to snort and eventually backfire and die.
Sounds kinda like the timing's out. Don't know if some critical electronic
part got wet and ruined or if some orifice in the carburetor has water trapped
in it.

Any ideas?

Regards,

Larry and Teri
M/V Cigano, 47' Prairie Sundeck Cruiser
Trying to get out of: Covington, LA
N 30 26.7
W 90 07.1