Fish-n-chicks
Recruit
- Joined
- Sep 1, 2014
- Messages
- 5
Hi y'all,
New to inboard engines. By mere chance picked up a boat at an estate auction earlier this year. It came with a warning that engine needs work. It's a '96 Mercruiser 4.3 LX Gen + motor with Alphaone gen 2 drive. Engine runs but is making tapping noise. I was told by a friend it's just sticky valve lifters and engine just needed a good cleaning with seafoam treatment. Thought this could wait till the end of the season.
The motor had some milky residue in the engine oil at the beginning of the boating season when said friend changed oil. I kept checking dipstick but it looks clear after 10hrs on it. Engine starts with a bit of throttle when cold but runs fine and dandy and idles fine once warmed up a little. Took the boat out today and we were tubing when all of a sudden engine starts making new squeaking noises in addition to existing tapping.
Is the engine failing? What's the likely cause? Can I continue running it for a few more weekends and the look into it after the season? Or is it gonna seize/blow up on me any time now?
Also the boat seems to take on a bit of water when idling. I know I have the plug in tight. I have to run the bilge pump every 10min or so. Is the outdrive leaking?
EDIT: I think I posted this in the wrong forum.
New to inboard engines. By mere chance picked up a boat at an estate auction earlier this year. It came with a warning that engine needs work. It's a '96 Mercruiser 4.3 LX Gen + motor with Alphaone gen 2 drive. Engine runs but is making tapping noise. I was told by a friend it's just sticky valve lifters and engine just needed a good cleaning with seafoam treatment. Thought this could wait till the end of the season.
The motor had some milky residue in the engine oil at the beginning of the boating season when said friend changed oil. I kept checking dipstick but it looks clear after 10hrs on it. Engine starts with a bit of throttle when cold but runs fine and dandy and idles fine once warmed up a little. Took the boat out today and we were tubing when all of a sudden engine starts making new squeaking noises in addition to existing tapping.
Is the engine failing? What's the likely cause? Can I continue running it for a few more weekends and the look into it after the season? Or is it gonna seize/blow up on me any time now?
Also the boat seems to take on a bit of water when idling. I know I have the plug in tight. I have to run the bilge pump every 10min or so. Is the outdrive leaking?
EDIT: I think I posted this in the wrong forum.
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