Honda Outboard Motor BF20 Owner's Manual page 35

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. 341, drain the contents of the car-
buretor into a suitable container, then retighten the drain screw.
3. Change the engine oil (p. 27). If there was water in the engine crankcase,
or the used engine oil showed signs of water contamination, then a sec-
ond engine oil change should be performed after running the engine for
l/2 hour.
4. Remove the spark plug. While pressing the engine stop button, pull the
recoil starter several times to completely expel water from the cylinder.
CAUTION:
0 When cranking the engine with an open ignition circuit (spark plug
removed from the ignition circuit), keep the engine stop button
depressed to prevent electrical damage to the ignition system.
0 If the motor was running when it submerged, there may be
mechanical damage, such as a bent connecting rod. 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 the spark plug hole, then pull the recoil
starter several times to lubricate the inside of the cylinder. Reinstall the
spark plug.
6.Attempt to start the engine. If the engine fails to starts, remove the
spark plug, clean and dry the electrode, then reinstall the spark plug and
attempt to start the engine again. 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
for inspection and service.
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