wet plug

[mkingz]

force 125 wouldn't start in water. couldn't figure it out - changed starter - same prob. before I posted problem I wanted to check and include compression. I believe cyl on top is #1? if true then 1 thru 3 are at 125psi and #4 (bottom cyl) is at 150 but plug came out clean and when spun with plugs out mist came out - water in cyl. btw, starter works great with water cleared out - hydro lock!?! now it will start (out of water) fine but idle is unchanged with or without #4 plug wire attached.

obviously running on 3 cyls but here is the question, is this likely a "simple" head gasket or am I in for trouble -$$$- when I open this thing up? oh ya, 89 bayliner capri, i/o, force 125.

what's next on diagnosis? thanks for any and all help!

 

[foodfisher]

Warped/cracked head, cracked block, of course it's the gasket.

 

[Jiggz]

You need to open and inspect asap. Remove the head and let us know what you find out. Hopefully, it is just a case of head gasket which is nothing but a $60 fix. With good compression though, it might be the exhaust gasket instead, which is also a cheap fix but more painful to remove.