Am I assuming correctly?

[CurrentObsession]

Tried to start my 1999 Mercruiser 350 SBC w B3 in the driveway with the muffs on and now I have hydrolock in the forward cylinder on the starboard side (confirmed when the plug was pulled- water poured out) I started running the water before trying to start the engine like everyone says to. Engine was running fine last time out.

Can I assume that I have bad exhaust manifolds and/or risers?

 

[hivoltg]

Re: Am I assuming correctly?

Its possible one or the other is bad or its simply a bad gasket between the two.

You can use acetone to test the riser and manifold. Fog oil that cylinder that got water in it also before rust starts to develop while you chase down the cause of the water.

Connecting to the hose wont cause it. An impeller in good condition wont let water past until its turning.

Did the hydrolock break anything? I wouldn't proceed with turning it over more until you check the manifolds and risers.

Check if you have any water in the oil also.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Am I assuming correctly?

Tried to start my 1999 Mercruiser 350 SBC w B3 in the driveway with the muffs on and now I have hydrolock in the forward cylinder on the starboard side (confirmed when the plug was pulled- water poured out) I started running the water before trying to start the engine like everyone says to. Engine was running fine last time out.

Can I assume that I have bad exhaust manifolds and/or risers?

Ayuh,... Generally, bad manifold/ riser puts water in the center, or aft cylinders, rarely the forward cylinder,...

Pull it off, 'n look for Rust tracks,...

 

[CharlieB]

Re: Am I assuming correctly?

Another possibility if Vortec head/intake gasket may have failed allowing water leak from the water passage into #1 intake port. with the water ON and the motor not running could have filled the cyl.

If no problem found with the exhaust you may want to pull the carb and sneak a borescope into #1 intake port to look for water stains.

 

[CurrentObsession]

Re: Am I assuming correctly?

I was able to get the motor running again, this time I started the engine before turning on the water. All seems to be fine except for the fact that what happened clearly indicates a problem.

I am stumped by how water could get past the impeller with the hose on and the engine not yet running? Furthermore the engine was cold so the thermostat was not open yet. I am fairly sure the impeller is in good shape, as I replaced it last season (even though the one I had installed two years prior looked to have little if any wear)

 

[Fun Times]

Re: Am I assuming correctly?

Did you have the engine idle up to 1300 RPM? Was the engine/boat level or bow down? If down along with something mentioned above was to be wrong, that could help track the water into the front cylinders easier.

Follow the link below for the correct way to run your engine at home,

http://www.boatfix.com/merc/Bullet/99/99_09.pdf

 

[achris]

Re: Am I assuming correctly?

... this time I started the engine before turning on the water. ...

Asking for a cooked impeller doing that...

I am stumped by how water could get past the impeller with the hose on and the engine not yet running? ...

It can't.

Did you have the engine idle up to 1300 RPM? Was the engine/boat level or bow down? If down along with something mentioned above was to be wrong, that could help track the water into the front cylinders easier.

Follow the link below for the correct way to run your engine at home,

http://www.boatfix.com/merc/Bullet/99/99_09.pdf

Yep, it's in the owners' handbook. Amazing how many of those still have the plastic wrap on them, and people wonder why engines have problems... :facepalm:

Chris.....

 

[CurrentObsession]

Re: Am I assuming correctly?

Ok...I will check the impeller. Thanks