Merc. 50hp Tilt/Trim System waterlogged

[Mark8076]

The boat I bought has a newer (2004 I think) Mercury Tracker 50 hp. The tilt/trim system was not working and the motor would not lock down. I could not check the fluid level because the ports were under water. Now that the boat is out of the water I see that a fluid plug on the tilt/trim motor is missing. I removed the lower drain plug and water ran out.
I'm wondering if the whole system is ruined by having been full of water?
Should I try filling it with fluid? How do I make sure all the water is out?
Any advice is appreciated.

Mark

[boats.net]

Depends on long it was under water, if this was saltwater then probably ruined.

[JUST-IN-TIME]

just flush it out and use it, u never know until you do it