5.7L Mercruiser has water in one cylinder

[Toyman991]

I received a call from my dad tonight asking for advice on how to proceed with repairs on the motor in his Sea Ray. I'm mostly an outboard guy but know automotive four-strokes pretty well. Anyway, the shop has found water in one of the cylinders and has given my dad the option of: A. New engine for $8500 B. Valve job for $2500 or C. Rebuilt crate motor from Mercury for an unspecified price.<br /><br />I'll be calling the shop tomorrow morning to probe a little deeper and the call my dad to make a recommendation to him as to how he should proceed. One of my first questions is to ask for the compression figures. Next, I'll ask if the head gasket is breached and, if so, are there signs of overheating. I am assuming that the valve job would include machining the head and installing a new head gasket but is it common to damage the valves with water intrusion?<br /><br />Also, I've bought a boat myself from this shop (Pier 44 in DeLand, FL) I do all my own maintenance so have never used their shop. I have no reason not to trust them but I live in Tampa which is 130 miles away. Can someone please provide some questions I might ask to make sure they are dealing honestly with my dad? He has no mechanical aptitude whatsoever.<br /><br />Surprisingly, no mention was made to my dad about leaking exhaust manifolds. Could this not also be the culprit?<br /><br />BTW, my dad said the boat was running flawlessly when he drove it to the shop for "a checkup". Any advice you folks can offer is greatly appreciated. John

 

[Laddies]

Re: 5.7L Mercruiser has water in one cylinder

Is hard to tell where the leak is from your explanation, but It sounds to me like they don't have a clue either and are trying to maximize the expence to your dad, is the water always in the same cyl=head or head gasket, maybe a exh manifold or riser, more than 1 cyl same side= manifold or riser, both sides intake or riser or there gaskets, just to mention a few possibiltys--Bob

 

[muc]

Re: 5.7L Mercruiser has water in one cylinder

Get a second opinion!

 

[Don S]

Re: 5.7L Mercruiser has water in one cylinder

I believe that a lot more information is needed, as Bob mentioned. There are just too many gaps in the discription. If a valve job would cure the problem, why are the looking at new engines? That seems kind of silly to replace an engine that only needs a valve job.<br />Yes, the manifolds or risers could cause the problems, but there are ways of telling what happened if the engine is already dissassembled and examined. But if it hasn't been taken apart, who knows how or why they did those estimates.<br />If salt water was in one cylinder for a few days, then yes a new engine is in the cards, but why the valve job quote?????????<br />Also the comment:<br /><br />

BTW, my dad said the boat was running flawlessly when he drove it to the shop for "a checkup".

If it was running flawlessly, then why was it taken in???<br /><br />Here is another post I just did that makes me question the reason.<br /> http://www.iboats.com/cgi-bin/ubb/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=24;t=009885

 

[Powercap]

Re: 5.7L Mercruiser has water in one cylinder

Toyman991, What year is the 5.7L mercruiser?

 

[Toyman991]

Re: 5.7L Mercruiser has water in one cylinder

Don - My dad takes his boat in to the shop periodically to make sure everything is in order. He's retired and wants to make sure the boat is as dependable as it can be.<br /><br />Powercap - the motor (and boat) is a 1997.<br /><br />All - The compression numbers are ~150psi in all but the #5 cylinder which is where the water was. It has 100psi.<br /><br />Tomorrow, the shop is going to pull the motor and remove the head. At this point they should be able to make a proper diagnosis. The mechanic also mentioned the possibility of a magnaflux test to check for cracks in the head.<br /><br />The mechanic will be calling me when he knows more about the condition of the engine and I will then speak with my dad and we'll take it from there.<br /><br />I know I posted my original question before I had all the facts - I appreciate all of your patience. I'll post updates as I get them. Thanks in advance for your guidance. John