Power washer fell in the swimming pool (YIKES !!)

I have an EXCELL XR2625 power washer, powered by a Honda 5 HP  GC160 engine.  Bought new in 2006.  I’ll be honest…..I haven’t maintained as I should have but it has always been in a heated garage.  Used maybe 10 hours each year.  Changed oil maybe 3 times over its lifetime.

Yesterday, while power washing my pool deck, the washer was behind me and all of a sudden….stopped working.  Turned around and to my horror, it had vibrated its way to the edge of the pool and …… splash!  I quickly pulled it out, it was in the water a max of 15 seconds.

Quickly brought it to my garage and did the following:

* Removed plug
* Removed muffler
* Removed carburetor
* Drained carburetor bowl
* Quickly pulled the starter several time to expel water
* Drained oil
* Used compressed air to blow out all areas.   Did so for 15 minutes or so.
* Sprayed WD 40 into cylinder
* Checked gas tank …. No evidence of water
* Attached new plug to cable to check for spark….OK
* Installed plug.
* Reinstalled all other items
* Put in new oil

Tried starting and after several pulls, back in business although it did have an unusual sound as I was pilling the starter.  Could not tell if it was from the engine or the pump.

It ran well for about 45 minutes and then it just quickly slowed to a stop and died.  Still have plenty of gas.  Cannot get it started again.  Another weird thing is I can’t seem to get a ‘full’ pull with the starter cord.

Today I took off the pump and nothing unusual there but I did not take the pump apart.  I was able to start it with the pump detached, but it only ran for about 5 seconds and stopped.  Again, could not get a full pull on the cord.

Any thoughts other then using it as a full time boat anchor since it seems to be attracted to water?  Thanks