Lawnmowers dont float! Need Help!

[nathan104]

Aint brothers grand?

My brother who had been fixing a problem on a used commercial zero turn mower for me, finally got it fixed yesterday. So, today, he decides to use it to mow some of his property he's never mowed before(this mower is heavy duty). He was mowing by his pond and slipped off the bank and went right into the pond. It didnt flip and he wasnt hurt, but the mower was completely submerged for about 10 minutes before he could pull it out.

It was running when it hit the water. He did not try to start it after pulling it out. He is trying to figure out what all he needs to do. Here is what he wrote that he has done and his questions. If anyone has any experience with this, please chime in. This is a high dollar piece of equipment. Motor is a 25hp Kohler.

Here is what I have done so far:

-pulled both the spark plugs
-turned the engine over a few times to spit out the water
-I haven't drained the oil yet, because I wanted to be
able to crank the motor over to expel the water ( I will
drain it and replace the filter)
-drained the gas, diconnected all the fuel lines and blew them
out
-blew out the carb, pistons, and wiring connections, with the
compressor
-sprayed TONS of carb cleaner into the carb and pistons to try to displace any water left in there.

I plan on letting it sit out in the sun for a day or two.

When I cranked the motor over to blow out the water, I checked, and I do still have spark.

Is there anything you guys can think of that I have missed, or anything else I should do? What are my chances of getting this thing running again? Should I replace the relays on it? I just want to do everything that I can to get it going.

Thanks for your help.

[EDDIE BUCK]

I had a yardman mower and a super A tractor flooded water over them for a week or week and a half. They were really no problem, after I did most of the things you've done. Its good that you have a spark. If the carb and gas tank is free of water and you have a spark,change the oil then try to crank it. Also I would have a can of starting fluid in my hand pointing under air filter and have someone try to start it. If any moisture in the fuel lines or carb, the starting fluid will help burn the moisture out of the fuel system by keeping it running long enough to heat up thus helping evaporate any excess water. Eddie

[netexan]

After your mower dries out make sure that you get some sort of lubrication into the cylinders before starting/turning over your mower. Putting a couple of drops of oil down the spark plug holes will help lubricate your rings and cylinder walls.

[bugeye]

When I lived in the city I used to work at a lawnmower shop and would get this all the time, everything you have done is correct, also as netexan says, put a couple drops of oil in the cylinders to help lubricate the cylinder walls and rings, to make sure that there is now water in the carb you might want to take the bowl off of it and make sure its completely dry. Spark is a good thing, make sure to change the oil. Did the fuel tank go under? If so drain and replace the fuel in there too. replace the spark plugs as a precaution. It should run fine after all is said and done

[fantasymaker]

The biggest goof so far is a toss up between not draining the oil as soon as he pulled it out and not getting it running as soon as possable.

HOWEVER these things are tougher than you might think and will likely run agin!

For future reference He did well except after opening and draining everything is the time to turn over the engine a few times. the residuale oil in the engine will be fine for that then pour the clylinders full of alcohal or E-85 and spin them out agin then a few squirts of WD-40 and start (use starter fluid if you need to)and run it on a alcohal containing fuel.

ALL to be done the sooner the better

Change oil after 10 minutes and then 1 hour

[OkieDavid]

Engine work so far is right on track with what needs to be done. Hydraulic system is a closed system HOWEVER the reservoir is vented and after 10 min you probably got a little moisture into the system. I personally would go ahead and do a complete hydraulic oil change/filter change as well. Other than a possible bent engine valve (low probability), I figure you are good to go.

[nathan104]

Thanks for the advice. The whole thing was completely submerged underwater. Hopefully it turns out ok. Thanks!

[cheapskate]

Drain the hydros! Make absolutely sure there is no water in the hydraulic fluid. Replacing one or two of the hydros is a very expensive proposition.