Harvey 1, Stuka 0: John Deere zero turn submerged

[Stuka]

Harvey came and my JD zero turn 757 lawnmower that was submerged in 4ft water for 8 days. I got it back to the house today and drained the engine oil, filled the crankcase with fresh oil and drained it again, then changed the filter and added the normal amount of oil. I siphoned all the gas/water from the fuel tank, and bled the fuel line. I removed the spark plugs and siphoned what water I could from the cylinders, and sprayed WD-40 in. I will drain the hydraulic oil and change the filter, and replace the fuel filter and air filter element. Last, I will replace the battery. I'll crank it over until I have displaced any residual water from the combustion chambers, then put the plugs back in and add fresh fuel.

Anything I am missing? Wish me luck!

 

[mrmikey]

You wash it down with fresh water before the water initially dried? After doing that. I would have sprayed everything with a couple of cans of Wd-40........Mike

 

[fatjay]

I agree, I'd hose it off with fresh/clean water first. Who knows what was in that other water. Other than that it seems like you have everything covered. Hit those grease points as well.

 

[dougtrr2]

I would pull apart all electrical connections, blow them out and spray them with an appropriate solvent/lubricant.

Doug in SW IA

 

[Spanner]

I don't see where you stripped and cleaned the carb.
Best of luck with your general recovery from the flooding.

 

[Gem99ultra]

Same thing happened to my Husqvarna back in '05 after a quick 6" rain in an hour. After weeks under 3' of water - muddy water. Its still running like new, after the resto.

As a reminder, every part, every connection will have to be cleaned and lubricated. EVERY PART. Even so, years from now you'll see tell-tale signs of the flood. That might be water line marks on the undercarriage, or a stain inside a gauge. But if you do perform the restoration, you can count on many more good years from your machine.

Your plan is excellent and certainly worth the work. Don't despair - lots of work, but then after you finish, you'll know your mower inside and out.

 

[Stimw]

A tip for anyone else looking to save water submerged equipment.
You can use diesel fuel to flush areas. It's cheaper and thinner.
I had a newly rebuilt boat engine get saltwater in it from a failed intake/exhaust manifold.
I was 500 miles from home on vacation and about a week from being able to get to it.
I pumped 3 gal of diesel fuel into the crankcase at a gas station, removed the plugs and cranked it for about 3 minutes with the starter.
I saved the engine!

 

[two_bit_score]

Harvey came and my JD zero turn 757 lawnmower that was submerged in 4ft water for 8 days. I got it back to the house today and drained the engine oil, filled the crankcase with fresh oil and drained it again, then changed the filter and added the normal amount of oil. I siphoned all the gas/water from the fuel tank, and bled the fuel line. I removed the spark plugs and siphoned what water I could from the cylinders, and sprayed WD-40 in. I will drain the hydraulic oil and change the filter, and replace the fuel filter and air filter element. Last, I will replace the battery. I'll crank it over until I have displaced any residual water from the combustion chambers, then put the plugs back in and add fresh fuel.

Anything I am missing? Wish me luck!

Good Luck! Sounds like a solid plan. Let us know how it works out!


TBS

 

[rrrkkk]

on an automobile I usually put 1 to 2 quarts of kerosene or diesel in the crankcase run it at low speed for 15 min or so then drain and refill with oil. On transmissions I use a new 5 gal pail take hoses off radiator from transmission hose goes in empty bucket hose to transmission goes in new trans fluid bucket when it quits making milkshakes its flushed return hoses to radiator.

 

[Stuka]

Well, I got a replacement filter for the hydraulic oil today, removed the old filter--the manual does not mention a drain plug so it's draining real slowly from the filter fitting. REAL slowly, it could take all night. Anyone with a JD 757? Does it usually drain this slowly?

I turned the engine over by hand and watch slimy water eject from the plug holes.... I hope the oil is done by tomorrow, I would like to see if this thing will run.