striker3636
Cadet
- Joined
- Aug 20, 2010
- Messages
- 21
I have a 1996 Mercruiser 4.3 with alpha one. The boat has been running fine all season, until today. This morning it started fine, and I went on a 3000 rpm run for about 5 miles, without a problem, and then it started losing a bit of power like it was starving for fuel. Slowed down to idle, then back up to 3000, ran ok for a minute or two, then losing power again. Brought it down to idle again and it dies. Attempts to restart are unsuccessful as the cylinders are hydro locked.
Got the boat home, pulled the plugs and found a significant amount water in most of the cylinders on both banks. After cranking it out and reinstalling the plugs I was able to get it to start, although only ran it for a couple seconds as I didnt have it hooked up to the hose and didnt want it to fill with water again.
Checked the exhaust risers and they seem fine, not blocked or cracked and also checked the exhaust flaps that keep stern surge from getting into the exhaust, they are fine as well. Compression test shows all ok... There is no sign of any water in the oil.
Anyone have any suggestions? The engine is fully covered and the bilge is dry so no chance of standing water getting into the carb.
Could an intake manifold leak of some sort put that much water into the cylinders? Would it affect all/most cylinders instead of just one or two? Any way to test without pulling the manifold?
Got the boat home, pulled the plugs and found a significant amount water in most of the cylinders on both banks. After cranking it out and reinstalling the plugs I was able to get it to start, although only ran it for a couple seconds as I didnt have it hooked up to the hose and didnt want it to fill with water again.
Checked the exhaust risers and they seem fine, not blocked or cracked and also checked the exhaust flaps that keep stern surge from getting into the exhaust, they are fine as well. Compression test shows all ok... There is no sign of any water in the oil.
Anyone have any suggestions? The engine is fully covered and the bilge is dry so no chance of standing water getting into the carb.
Could an intake manifold leak of some sort put that much water into the cylinders? Would it affect all/most cylinders instead of just one or two? Any way to test without pulling the manifold?