Help water in trolling motor

[LittleJohn]

While fishing yesterday at the slabfest,my trolling motor quit. Upon inspection back at the ramp,fouund out motor had water in it,there was no fishing line. After the water was drained the motor started working again. The question is what to do about this,afraid if put back on water will do the same thing. Has anyone ever got water in their trolling motor,what did u do about it and what will it do to the motor later on. The motor is a Minn-Kota terrova 2 1/2 years old. Thanks.
LittleJohn

[jigflinger]

Have an old Evinrude that had water in it. Didn't bother it until winter. Then it froze and broke the magnets loose.

[MaggiesMaster]

I had a Minn-Kota 565 (bought used) with water in the motor. Repairman said it needed a new motor. Yours sounds to me like it needs new seals. I read on the internet somewhere that someone repaired their motor themselves. You might do a search for that if you don't want to get it repaired.

[jigflinger]

It isn't difficult to put in new seals if that's where it's leaking.

[skeetbum]

I agree with everything so far. Were it mine I would disassemble and let thoroughly dry while I did my homework and ordered parts.

[Cane Pole]

I am surprised the motor quit running even with water in it. Sounds like the brush springs are weak. The brush springs probably rusted from previous water intake and have lost tension capabilities.. DC motors will run under water if the brushes and brush springs are in good shape.

Seals and brush kit should fix it.

[FAADAN]

Take it apart, dry it out, clean up the armature, replace the brushes and springs if needed and replace seals and put it back together. Not difficult at all on a MinnKota.

[wallrat]

You can buy electric motor cleaner at any hobby shop that sells rc cars. It's safe on all electric motors and won't attack plastics like other cleaners will. It's perfect for cleaning / flushing out all the water. Then, as Faadan said, replace the brushes and springs, add new seals and test. RTV silicone sealeant can do wonders for sealing if the seals don't fix it, just inspect the sealant regularly.

[CRAPPIEHUNTER68]

Littlejohn. I have a terrova 101 36v that did almost same thing twice. Noticed water in motor when I stowed one day a little ran out head. Took it to the shop and the shaft had a hair line crack almost invisible. Got shaft replaced and lower unit serviced. About a year later hit a stump cracked shaft again and water got in motor so I did the same. 3 months ago motor started acting up quit and then work and etc.. Took to shop motor and all in the foot all corroded up. Replaced the whole motor and housing unit all good to go now.
All that said check the shaft for cracks and get the motor dried and cleaned very good because water will cause corrosion that will destroy the motor in the end.

[new slab hunter]

Like everyone said, tqake apart and clean real good, motor and housing, brushes. I just called up minkota and got my parts, wasn't that bad either.... BUT, one thing to do before you pull that houseing off, be sure to mark the bottom, toward the skeg and be sure to put it back on the exact same way. i didn't and when i put it back together the motor ran backwards,,had to take apart again and rotate houseing 180 degr. so the polarity would be right.