Sucked fishing line in to Yamaha AR240 jet port

[Ricky303]

Hi Guys, got my 2012 AR240 last week and I already got a fishing line sucked up the port. I stopped the boat in the water and tried to cut away as much of the line as I could using the access ports in the back of the boat. I could still feel some line wrapped around the rod deep in the shaft that I couldn't get to. I decided to run on one engine to get to the marina instead of risking it. The distance was about 3 miles (20 minute ride).

I'm reading now that doing so (without closing a valve) can flood the non running engine and trying to start it can ruin it. Should I be concerned and not start it until I have a mechanic check it out?
Thanks
-Ricky

 

[swatski]

Hi Guys, got my 2012 AR240 last week and I already got a fishing line sucked up the port. I stopped the boat in the water and tried to cut away as much of the line as I could using the access ports in the back of the boat. I could still feel some line wrapped around the rod deep in the shaft that I couldn't get to. I decided to run on one engine to get to the marina instead of risking it. The distance was about 3 miles (20 minute ride).

I'm reading now that doing so (without closing a valve) can flood the non running engine and trying to start it can ruin it. Should I be concerned and not start it until I have a mechanic check it out?
Thanks
-Ricky

It depends on how fast you were going... Sounds like 9mph? If no wake/not on plane, should be okay.
Best to cut the water flow OFF on the affected side and leave the bucket up/throttle in forward position.

Hope others will chime in. If it were me, I would run the engine. If it runs, you should be fine.
I would pull the pump nozzle/impeller shaft and clean everything out.


EDIT: I think @buckbuck and others are right to pull the spark plugs first.
--

 

[buckbuck]

If you are concerned, pull out the 4 sparkplugs before turning over the engine. This will prevent any hydrolocking. If water sprays out the holes as you turn it over, then you have a potentially serious issue that needs to be addressed immediately.
You do not need a mechanic. We can walk you through any issue you will encounter. Welcome to the forum.

 

[Scottintexas]

Glad to have you on board, update your profile with your location so we know where you're at,

If it was me I wouldn't take a chance, pull the spark plugs TODAY, RIGHT NOW to see if there is water there,

if there's not it's an easy exercise that may take you an hour and give you peace of mind, if you do have water you have to get it out asap, that's an easy $5k problem if it has water and sits,

Check out the FAQ tab at the top of the page for lots of good maintenance info,

 

[itsdgm]

Fwiw. The fishing line probably would've caused cavitation at higher rpms, but you could've let the engine running at idle while you limped back to the docks. Doing so, will prevent the chance of hydro locking the engine. You would just need to keep an eye on the temp light and "pee holes" to make sure that it's circulating enough cooling water.

Make sure to pull the spark plugs as mentioned above and check for water in the cylinders. The odds are that you're ok, but it has proven in the past to worth checking.

 

[tdonoughue]

Also, if you were in salt water, time is even more critical... But ditto what everyone else said. Do it right away.