Got a spent stubborn engine...

[LaunchPad]

The situation is that one of my Alpha rockets, with the help of the wind, decided to go for a dip in a nearby goose pond from feeling a bit too hot.
(Maybe it being painted red, orange and yellow with a sun sticker on it made it feel that way?)
After getting it back home, I find the engine is stuck in the tube. Trusty needle nose pliers are not making it budge as they have before.

Did the water somehow do something to weld it in there?
And is there any hope at all of getting the engine out?
Any suggestions are welcome.

 

[DAllen]

Did the water somehow do something to weld it in there?

Yes. The cardboard casing expanded whilst soaking up water...

And is there any hope at all of getting the engine out?

There is always hope.

Any suggestions are welcome.

Dry it out thoroughly. I'm not trying to be glib or sarcastic but seriously set it in front of a fan on low for a day or two. Which is probably way longer than needed but you want every possible drop outta there. Then try to pull it out. If that doesn't work without damaging the airframe then try pounding on it from the forward end with a dowel that is a little smaller than the OD of the motor - and will be smaller than the inside of the motor block if you installed one. If that doesn't seem to help then you may have to remove the nozzle and try to peel all of the cardboard layers of motor out. I've never had to do that but I've heard of people who have. A little patience goes a long way on that third option.

 

[Gary Byrum]

Trusty needle nose pliers are not making it budge as they have before.

Did the water somehow do something to weld it in there?
And is there any hope at all of getting the engine out?
Any suggestions are welcome.

I always carry a cheap set of regular pliers for that very reason. They grab the motor better than needle nosers do. What DAllen said about using a dowel to push or bang it out is a great option. Best approach getting motors out is usually just after they have been fired. I tape mine for friction purposes and I have to get it our ASAP or it'll get terribly stuck. Water?.....Maybe what DAllen said about that will apply because I never let my rockets go swimming.

 

[K'Tesh]

Having sent one into the Rogue river, I can tell you what worked for me. Let it dry out, and I mean completely dry out. Then use needle nose pliers to tear out the nozzle. Using the pliers, twist the motor into itself and take care you don't crush your body tube while twisting the motor out of the rocket.

 

[KenECoyote]

Having sent one into the Rogue river, I can tell you what worked for me. Let it dry out, and I mean completely dry out. Then use needle nose pliers to tear out the nozzle. Using the pliers, twist the motor into itself and take care you don't crush your body tube while twisting the motor out of the rocket.

+1 on the pliers and twisting inwards. Additionally, I'll ream out the clay nozzle first with a screwdriver or drill.