Once motors are submerged are they done???

GreatWhite23

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I have been looking at a insurance boat that has water damage. My question is once she has sunk and brought up not pickled (no proof they have or have not been pickled)then sent to auction are they worth buying??? Really looking at a trailer for the boat but if the boat comes with four strokes so be it. My OX66 motors are very reliable and do not want to swap them out for a motor that is just going to be a money pit. Any thoughts???
 
You can pretty much count on all internal parts being pitted and needing replacement. Electric parts should be bad too. I'm sure outboards will have some parts that will be usable, so should have value as parts motors, or maybe good for power head replacements. Lower units could survive if water didn't get in, and mid sections should be ok.
 
Boy, this is a really tough one to give a definitive answer to. Actually, pretty much impossible as there's just too many variables. The first being fresh or salt water. After that, there's a myriad of questions and things to check out. For example, what Vero said above about the lower units and water getting in... Well, if water did get in, it's possible that they'd be OK. But it's also just as possible that they're shot. It's just too hard to say. Best to err on the side of caution, though.

What I can advise, though, is don't buy the package hoping the engines will work with only a little time/effort/money put into them. But they do have some value - to the right person. If you buy the package 'wisely', you should be able to keep the trailer and sell off the boat and motors and get all of your money back - maybe even make some if you're lucky. But the key is doing the advertising correctly to find that "right person". Don't plan on it being a quick turnaround.

On the positive side, I do know of some engines that have been submerged and then brought back to life and lived happily ever after. But don't enter into this deal with the expectation that this will be your outcome.
 
My trusted engine guy says, unless pickled right away they toast and at best are parts only.
 
Saly water? probably shot if not rinsed/flushed etc. You can't be sure though. The main factors that determine the amount of damage include, salt vs fresh water, was the motor running when it sank, was the ignition on, how long was the motor under water, how long since it has been raised and of course what was done to it when raised. To a certain extent, the temperature of the water makes a difference also.
I have seen motors submerged, raised, plugs pulled, motor turned over, plugs back in and varoom..... Ran like a watch.
You probably won't be so lucky though:)