Mercruiser 3.0L Alpha 1 water discharge

badboatowner

Recruit
Joined
May 9, 2010
Messages
4
Confused on where the water should be discharging from what I believe is called the "gimbal housing" ... running the motor with the rabbit ears on with a good flow the water predominately exits the starboard egress ... is that correct? The service tech over the phone says yes that is correct as you have a 4 cyl engine but I have no confidence ... my neighbor (small engine repair guy and a diy'er) says no it should be discharging equally (however, he has a 4.3 A1). I have an '06 with about 36 hours on it.
 

Rocky_Road

Lieutenant Commander
Joined
Oct 8, 2008
Messages
1,798
Re: Mercruiser 3.0L Alpha 1 water discharge

My '05 3.0L has always done the same as yours...most of the water exits the starboard side. All of the research that I have done says that this is normal.

Happy boating!
 

bomar76

Lieutenant Commander
Joined
Jun 27, 2002
Messages
1,963
Re: Mercruiser 3.0L Alpha 1 water discharge

They are called Idle Reliefs and yes, normally one will flow more water than the other...depends on which way boat leans.

.., and tell your neighbor to stick to repairing lawn mowers ;)
 

mciaio

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
Mar 2, 2010
Messages
141
Re: Mercruiser 3.0L Alpha 1 water discharge

Just relax and enjoy your boat. If it's not overheating or otherwise doing something else wrong, don't worry about it. My 5.7 Alpha 1 throws water everywhere. I couldn't even tell you where it's coming from! LOL!
 

180shabah

Rear Admiral
Joined
Mar 26, 2005
Messages
4,995
Re: Mercruiser 3.0L Alpha 1 water discharge

Both holes connect just inside the transom, the water exits which ever side is "easier". Absolutely no reason for concern.

Those ports are only there to help the engine idle when it is in the water - exhaust can bubble out close to the surface, rather than being forced down to the prop.
 

badboatowner

Recruit
Joined
May 9, 2010
Messages
4
Re: Mercruiser 3.0L Alpha 1 water discharge

Thanks folks - I really appreciate it ... awesome site this
 

180shabah

Rear Admiral
Joined
Mar 26, 2005
Messages
4,995
Re: Mercruiser 3.0L Alpha 1 water discharge

You should click around the adults only section. Lotd of great info, including free factory manuals in pdf format.
 

hookedagain

Recruit
Joined
May 7, 2010
Messages
3
Re: Mercruiser 3.0L Alpha 1 water discharge

You should click around the adults only section. Lotd of great info, including free factory manuals in pdf format.

Just joined the site, great info. Can't find the "adults only" sticky anywhere. Am I blind?
 

bomar76

Lieutenant Commander
Joined
Jun 27, 2002
Messages
1,963
Re: Mercruiser 3.0L Alpha 1 water discharge

Just joined the site, great info. Can't find the "adults only" sticky anywhere. Am I blind?

Perhaps ;)
It's the first thread in the top of this forum.
 
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