After Winter Mechanical Issues, Cracked Engine?

[East Texas]

The drivetrain is a 2000 4.3 Vortec Mercruiser inboard with an Alpha 1 outdrive. The engine had issues (smoking, not running right, water in the engine compartment) on the first outing by a potential buyer, owner was not present. When the boat arrived back the oil looked fine and two exhaust boots were found to be faulty (rotted). Those were replaced and water was seen being dumped into the hull with the engine running. Turned out there was a freeze plug missing on the passenger side of the boat. A new freeze plug was sourced, rtv'd and tapped into place. That no longer leaks as confirmed with a run in the yard. We took the boat to the river last night and cranked it up. Within 10 seconds it started dumping oil/river water into the carb hat through the pcv lines coming off the valve covers. When we pulled the dipstick it looked like the crankcase was filled with a frothy oil water mix and it was showing way high on the stick. Diagnosis? The marine shop took 5 minutes and said it had a cracked block and cylinder head. I find it hard to believe they fully diagnosed this issue and just assumed that because the freeze plug was missing. Why didn't it mix water/oil while running it in the yard?

When I replaced the lower unit boot for the exhaust (going from the hull to the outdrive) there were 2 or 3 diverter type plates stuck in there that basically fell out when I pulled the hose off. What do those do and any reason to have to re-install them?

 

[Scott Danforth]

Re: After Winter Mechanical Issues, Cracked Engine?

those are the exhaust flaps, and they are required.

the block sounds like it froze and is toast.

 

[Don S]

Re: After Winter Mechanical Issues, Cracked Engine?

Sounds to me like the potential buyers were sent out in a boat with freeze damage to start with. Exhaust hoses do not rot off in 11 years, they burn out from the inside due to hot exhaust and no water.
Those divererter are called shutters and were burned out at the same time the exhaust hoses burned out.
The freeze plugs come out when the water in the block freezes from lack of proper winterization, and usually includes a few cracks in the block as well.

Most of time, the water will not mix with the oil on muffs because there simply isn't the water pressure and flow using a hose as there is when in the water. Common problem.

The marine shop took 5 minutes and said it had a cracked block and cylinder head.

All the details in your post are obvious to marine techs, why spend a lot of time taking things apart and looking when all the evidence is right there in front of you.

 

[Bondo]

Re: After Winter Mechanical Issues, Cracked Engine?

by a potential buyer, owner was not present.

Ayuh,.... Welcome Aboard,..... So, Who are You,..?? the New owner or what,..??

As already noted, the evidence you've stated says frozen busted block,..... What's the Question,..??

Obviously, the Previous Owner never got the memos on regular maintenance, nor on Winterization...

 

[tpenfield]

Re: After Winter Mechanical Issues, Cracked Engine?

Probably the 'potential' of those 'buyers' has been drastically reduced . . . but maybe not, based on some of the stories that are seen here.

+1 on the cracked engine block/head/intake.

 

[East Texas]

Re: After Winter Mechanical Issues, Cracked Engine?

I am the original boat owner. I bought it brand new in 2000 and have taken meticulous care of it. The interior is pristine. I religiously had it winterized and then again made lake ready by marine mechanics every year. Two years ago I had to have surgery that kept me down and off the lake most of that time. Due to the lack of use of the boat, and my incapacitation, I did not have it winterized, but it had only been used one time since the last time it was winterized.

When I sold it a month ago, I truly thought it was ready and raring to go for the water. Yes, before you say it, It was totally my fault for not either taking it to a mechanic to have it checked out, or take it to the lake and run it myself first before trying to sell it. However, in my defense, because of the way I maintained it, I thought it was good to go. I started and ran it in the yard (yes, with a garden hose for water) and it ran as smooth as normal.

The deal was done, I had his money in hand and he had the boat hooked to his truck. And that was after running the boat in the yard so he could hear how smooth the engine ran...which it did. The next day he called me from the lake, while he was running the boat for the SECOND time. The first time, the cockpit filled with smoke, and the engine compartment filled with water. After taking his family back to shore, instead of trailering the boat and calling either me or a mechanic, he took it out for a second run. that is when the engine started to cut out and struggle.

Seriously, I am not a hard person. I allowed him to bring the boat back, and I refunded his money. While in all actuallity (Legally) I didn't have to. Morally I did. When I got it back, there was no water in the engine oil, and once started the engine was it's normal smooth self.

I still want to believe the engine is not cracked. But without the "Flappers" it is now filled with an oil & water mix. I plan (on advise of marine mechanic) to remove all the oil & water mix from the engine tonight. Remove the spark plugs and see if there is water in the cylinders. If not, I'm going to replace the flappers (already on order), and replace the exhaust manifold gasket (also, already on order). Fill the engine back up with low grade oil, run it for 5 or 10 minutes and if it runs ok, shut it down and drain the oil again. This time replacing it with marine grade engine oil.

Meanwhile I will have every one of my fingers, toes and eyes crossed hoping something might actually go my way for a change. Or, am I just living in a dream, fantasy world? Bottom line though is I accept responsibilty for my actions...or inactions as it were, and did not stick a first time boat buyer with a lemon!

 

[Bondo]

Re: After Winter Mechanical Issues, Cracked Engine?

I still want to believe the engine is not cracked. But without the "Flappers" it is now filled with an oil & water mix. I plan (on advise of marine mechanic) to remove all the oil & water mix from the engine tonight. Remove the spark plugs and see if there is water in the cylinders. If not, I'm going to replace the flappers (already on order), and replace the exhaust manifold gasket (also, already on order). Fill the engine back up with low grade oil, run it for 5 or 10 minutes and if it runs ok, shut it down and drain the oil again. This time replacing it with marine grade engine oil.

Ayuh,.... Burnt up shutters don't put that kinda water into the oil,.... Period....

Yer wastin' yer time with yer Tests,...
Yer dream is actually a real life nightmare...

Pull the intake manifold, 'n you'll see cracks in the lifter valley....
Pull the oil pan, 'n look along the sides of the block, opposite the core plugs,... you'll see the Cracks...

Sorry to hear yer story, but the fact ya Manned up,... I'll help ya any way We can...

 

[Steve91T]

Re: After Winter Mechanical Issues, Cracked Engine?

I am the original boat owner. I bought it brand new in 2000 and have taken meticulous care of it. The interior is pristine. I religiously had it winterized and then again made lake ready by marine mechanics every year. Two years ago I had to have surgery that kept me down and off the lake most of that time. Due to the lack of use of the boat, and my incapacitation, I did not have it winterized, but it had only been used one time since the last time it was winterized.

When I sold it a month ago, I truly thought it was ready and raring to go for the water. Yes, before you say it, It was totally my fault for not either taking it to a mechanic to have it checked out, or take it to the lake and run it myself first before trying to sell it. However, in my defense, because of the way I maintained it, I thought it was good to go. I started and ran it in the yard (yes, with a garden hose for water) and it ran as smooth as normal.

The deal was done, I had his money in hand and he had the boat hooked to his truck. And that was after running the boat in the yard so he could hear how smooth the engine ran...which it did. The next day he called me from the lake, while he was running the boat for the SECOND time. The first time, the cockpit filled with smoke, and the engine compartment filled with water. After taking his family back to shore, instead of trailering the boat and calling either me or a mechanic, he took it out for a second run. that is when the engine started to cut out and struggle.

Seriously, I am not a hard person. I allowed him to bring the boat back, and I refunded his money. While in all actuallity (Legally) I didn't have to. Morally I did. When I got it back, there was no water in the engine oil, and once started the engine was it's normal smooth self.

I still want to believe the engine is not cracked. But without the "Flappers" it is now filled with an oil & water mix. I plan (on advise of marine mechanic) to remove all the oil & water mix from the engine tonight. Remove the spark plugs and see if there is water in the cylinders. If not, I'm going to replace the flappers (already on order), and replace the exhaust manifold gasket (also, already on order). Fill the engine back up with low grade oil, run it for 5 or 10 minutes and if it runs ok, shut it down and drain the oil again. This time replacing it with marine grade engine oil.

Meanwhile I will have every one of my fingers, toes and eyes crossed hoping something might actually go my way for a change. Or, am I just living in a dream, fantasy world? Bottom line though is I accept responsibilty for my actions...or inactions as it were, and did not stick a first time boat buyer with a lemon!

I'm sorry to hear about your surgery, I hope you heal quickly (if you haven't already).

So the boat sat for 2 years without being winterized?

 

[Don S]

Re: After Winter Mechanical Issues, Cracked Engine?

Due to the lack of use of the boat, and my incapacitation, I did not have it winterized, but it had only been used one time since the last time it was winterized.

It only takes ONE time of running the engine with muffs or in the water to have the cooling system completely filled with water. If you don't drain it after use, it will freeze and damage things.

The flappers had nothing to do with water in the oil, that is cracked block all the way.

Yes, you are living in a dream world.

 

[tpenfield]

Re: After Winter Mechanical Issues, Cracked Engine?

I have great respect for someone who did as you did by refunding the money to the buyer.

 

[East Texas]

Re: After Winter Mechanical Issues, Cracked Engine?

I appreciate the comments acknowledging my refunding the buyers money and taking my own headache back...thanks. In a dream world maybe, but I'm going to put the new flappers and exhaust manifold gaskets in anyway and give it a try. Heck, what do I have to lose at this point but a little time. If the block or heads ARE cracked and I have to replace the engine, all the parts I will have replaced by that time are parts that would need to be replaced anyway...new engine or not. At least this way I won't get charged the additional dealer markup on those parts when I have them do the replacement.

Unless of course I decide to cut my losses and sell the boat "As is" to someone more mechanically inclined than I who would want to do the engine replacement themselves. Then, they too will have a bunch of new parts they won't have to source.

PS - Took a long time, but I am finally getting back on my feet.

 

[JASinIL2006]

Re: After Winter Mechanical Issues, Cracked Engine?

I have great respect for someone who did as you did by refunding the money to the buyer.

+1!

 

[East Texas]

Re: After Winter Mechanical Issues, Cracked Engine?

Thanks for all the input gentlemen.