Hydro-Lock

[SWAMPHUNTER45]

If your boat sits out or you have trailered through heavy rains be cautious some water has not entered into the engine. We have gotten some heavy stuff in the past week on the Nature Coast.

When in doubt pull the plugs to prevent hydro-lock and crank it for 15-20 seconds don't take a chance.

 

[SeatCover]

If you got enough water in any engine to hydro lock it that isn't good. Definatley change the oil too! A good old shower cap or publix bag works good for my filter when I do have to tow my boat in the rain, otherwise it stays under a tarp and cover at home and gets started and ran for 20 minutes for every week it sits on the trailer, which isn't often. If you have a CM boat get a shroud that covers the carb and distributor so they don't get wet.

 

[SWAMPHUNTER45]

Old saying

Ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure

Should it be exposed to the elements either while out on a trip or in storage how you respond to it can save the engine.

If I get caught in rain uncovered we disable the ignition and slowly hand prop it to check for resistance. Compression will quickly bleed off but water will give a stiff resistance that holds for a bit. At that point stop and pull the plugs.

 

[John Fenner]

I had my air cleaner lid go through the prop on way to AAOF from a camp, rain chasing us, put the rest under deck and hauled butt to park at camper, got shelter while it poured, unbenounced to me, the driver seat was peeing rain water right down throat of carb, rain quit, went to move boat to my camper, she fired right up and BANG to a dead stop, it spun over again and fired up fine, I put 2+2 together, oops!! That 220/470 conversion ran for 3 years with #5&6 connecting rods bent and twisted till #6 rod let go putting a toilet bowl in roof of case, drain valve installed on rear crossover tube after rebuild, damn tough engines!!