Ballpark estimate to replace impeller and complete head gasket repair

[dnbuff]

I'm a complete beginner, but after renting boats for years, last week I broke down and bought one I liked--a 1987 Glastron SSV 199 with 5.7L OMC. The boat (especially interior) is in very good shape. I did a bit of homework before buying and understood that OMC is out of business (now Volvo Penta??) and know parts could be hard to get--but that wasn't an issue since the engine was running great, if a little cold-blooded to start. My first time out by myself, the lake was low and as a total boat novice I tried starting it close to shore. A few cold-blooded starts and stops later, I'm embarrassed to say I sucked in a TON of mud and debris into the engine and didn't know how bad I wrecked the engine until too late. Found what appears to be a good boat mechanic who can repair it, but he said I broke the impeller and he has to pull the motor to look at the cooling system, heads, and possible other damage. Seeing the amount of mud blown all over the engine, I believe him. He won't have an estimate for a week since he's tied up on something. What do you think worst-case ballpark engine repair may cost me. Thanks in advance for your help.

 

[Grub54891]

Re: Ballpark estimate to replace impeller and complete head gasket repair

I'd like to see some pics of how the mud got all over the engine? The cooling systym should not spray water all over inside.
Grub

 

[dnbuff]

Re: Ballpark estimate to replace impeller and complete head gasket repair

Damn, I should've taken some pictures. It looked like a sh** demon sprayed mud and crap everywhere. It hit the batteries, the underside of the upholstery cover, the distributor cap--everywhere! I'll try to explain it, but I'm not very good with the lingo yet. There's a little hose (that I think is the overflow tube?) that's open on one end and connects with a metal bracket to the top of the carberuator by a wing-nut. Does that make sense??? The mud sprayed all through this open-ended hose. I suck. I feel like a complete idiot and worse, I don't know enough lingo to know what I'm talking about. Thanks for your help.

 

[oldjeep]

Re: Ballpark estimate to replace impeller and complete head gasket repair

Well, for starters the one and only good thing about an OMC drive is that the impeller can be replaced by a monkey in under 10 minutes.

The "mud" from the pcv hose sounds like you might have an engine full of water and its tossing some of the foaming oil out of the valve cover.

1st thing - pull the oil dipstick and see what is there

 

[dnbuff]

Re: Ballpark estimate to replace impeller and complete head gasket repair

That was the first thing he did--the oil was "milky" and light colored and kind of watery. Does that mean, as you speculate, that I've got an engine full of water?? The mechanic seems pretty good and comes recommended, but he's Hispanic and we communicate in kind of a broken Spanglish, so I don't always follow what he's saying. Also, how does the water in the engine happen? Is that bad? (i.e., costly?) Mechanic's inspection fee was $189 to pull the entire engine out, but it goes towards any repairs if the repairs cost more than inspection. I bracing for about a $1200 bill. Am I close, you think?

 

[oldjeep]

Re: Ballpark estimate to replace impeller and complete head gasket repair

That was the first thing he did--the oil was "milky" and light colored and kind of watery. Does that mean, as you speculate, that I've got an engine full of water?? The mechanic seems pretty good and comes recommended, but he's Hispanic and we communicate in kind of a broken Spanglish, so I don't always follow what he's saying. Also, how does the water in the engine happen? Is that bad? (i.e., costly?) Mechanic's inspection fee was $189 to pull the entire engine out, but it goes towards any repairs if the repairs cost more than inspection. I bracing for about a $1200 bill. Am I close, you think?

Yup - engine full of water. Most likely cause is a frozen and then cracked block from lack of winterizing. $1200 - maybe if it was just a blown head gasket. More likely you are looking at a complete engine replacement and then you still have an OMC drive of unknown condition. Might be time to cut your losses.

 

[QC]

Re: Ballpark estimate to replace impeller and complete head gasket repair

Moving to OMC

 

[bonzoscott]

Re: Ballpark estimate to replace impeller and complete head gasket repair

You need to take hold of the situation yourself a bit even if you do use a mechanic to help you out. I can't figure how mud would be splashed all over the engine compartment unless a coolant hose has burst. I advice is to clean the motor / compartment - change the oil - get some earmuffs and try to run the motor in the drive way. Inspect and see where this spray is coming from. Then check the oil for water. If it's not evident on the dip stick, drain it in a container that you can see water in. Your mechanic stating "Pull the motor" right away is not proper diagnoses. Things I advise to do may seem troublesome, but would give you an idea going into a shop. Pressure testing the block would be the next thing (motor in boat) if you still have water in the oil. I think mechanic is setting you up for $4-5k with a motor swap.

 

[Bulbash]

Re: Ballpark estimate to replace impeller and complete head gasket repair

Yo should start with an oil change, do it yourself, buy an electric oil pump and suck that oil with water ASAP. oil mixed with water will damage your engine if not removed quickly.
Refill engine with proper oil. Remove spark plugs, take pictures, post them here, are they covered with oil or water? Test compression, if compression is good it might be problem with one of the manifolds. If no compression in two adjacent cylinders you might have a headgasket leak... not very likely, but possible... Don't trust that mechanic as he first must diagnose and it is not required to remove the engine.

As for the impeller it is located under plastic cover on your drive. Takes 10 min to replace, make sure you reasemble in such way so it does not leak...

 

[Bondo]

Re: Ballpark estimate to replace impeller and complete head gasket repair

That was the first thing he did--the oil was "milky" and light colored and kind of watery. Does that mean, as you speculate, that I've got an engine full of water?? The mechanic seems pretty good and comes recommended, but he's Hispanic and we communicate in kind of a broken Spanglish, so I don't always follow what he's saying. Also, how does the water in the engine happen? Is that bad? (i.e., costly?) Mechanic's inspection fee was $189 to pull the entire engine out, but it goes towards any repairs if the repairs cost more than inspection. I bracing for about a $1200 bill. Am I close, you think?

Ayuh,.... Welcome Aboard,.... I think yer Mud is oil, 'n water,... hence, ya got a cracked block,...

 

[Boomyal]

Re: Ballpark estimate to replace impeller and complete head gasket repair

Ayuh,.... Welcome Aboard,.... I think yer Mud is oil, 'n water,... hence, ya got a cracked block,...

Bondo, you are sure spending a lot of time over here on the OMC forum. Is this kinda like being sent to Purgatory for you? ...or maybe it is that you will come to love these white beauties? :laugh:

 

[southkogs]

Re: Ballpark estimate to replace impeller and complete head gasket repair

Bondo, you are sure spending a lot of time over here on the OMC forum. Is this kinda like being sent to Purgatory for you? ...or maybe it is that you will come to love these white beauties? :laugh:

LOL! Boom, that was cruel ... but hysterical.

 

[oldjeep]

Re: Ballpark estimate to replace impeller and complete head gasket repair

Bondo, you are sure spending a lot of time over here on the OMC forum. Is this kinda like being sent to Purgatory for you? ...or maybe it is that you will come to love these white beauties? :laugh:

Except an 87 should be black

 

[dnbuff]

Re: Ballpark estimate to replace impeller and complete head gasket repair

Sorry, I was awol for a day (had to actually work a bit). You're right Bonzoscott, I probaly should've taken charge of it myself, but was afraid to since I don't know much about boat engines yet; instead I took it directly to the mechanic and went through it with him butit was a mess. At this point I'm in wait-and-see mode until I know for sure what's happened. I'll report back to you all with my war story after I talk to the mechanic at the end of this week. Your knowledge fantastic and this site is amazing. I do appreciate the advice even if I can't do much about it right this moment. Ahh...the joys of boating! (which I haven't really experienced yet but hope to soon.)

 

[Idlespeedonly]

Re: Ballpark estimate to replace impeller and complete head gasket repair

Except an 87 should be black

Charcoal metallic gray.:laugh:

 

[Bulbash]

Re: Ballpark estimate to replace impeller and complete head gasket repair

Sorry, I was awol for a day (had to actually work a bit). You're right Bonzoscott, I probaly should've taken charge of it myself, but was afraid to since I don't know much about boat engines yet; instead I took it directly to the mechanic and went through it with him butit was a mess. At this point I'm in wait-and-see mode until I know for sure what's happened. I'll report back to you all with my war story after I talk to the mechanic at the end of this week. Your knowledge fantastic and this site is amazing. I do appreciate the advice even if I can't do much about it right this moment. Ahh...the joys of boating! (which I haven't really experienced yet but hope to soon.)

If you don't extract that oil and water mix from your engine soon you not gonna enjoy any boating soon as you will need a new engine!!! Every hour counts in your situation...

 

[Bondo]

Re: Ballpark estimate to replace impeller and complete head gasket repair

Bondo, you are sure spending a lot of time over here on the OMC forum. Is this kinda like being sent to Purgatory for you? ...or maybe it is that you will come to love these white beauties? :laugh:

Ayuh,.... Goes with the territory I guess Boomer,.... a Motor, is a Motor,....

Ole DonS talked me into Moddin', I ain't been the same since,.... :laugh:

Ya notice Ya don't see me answerin' Drive questions in here, Especially the ole White ones,....

 

[QC]

Re: Ballpark estimate to replace impeller and complete head gasket repair

Ya notice Ya don't see me answerin' Drive questions in here

But he does like the occasional Yamaha or BMW drive question.

 

[Boomyal]

Re: Ballpark estimate to replace impeller and complete head gasket repair

But he does like the occasional Yamaha or BMW drive question.

Yeah, I was certain he had a screw loose! :tape:

 

[Howard Sterndrive]

Re: Ballpark estimate to replace impeller and complete head gasket repair

my ballpark would be $3500 to $4000- new longblock installed plus drive repairs and other parts.

Sounds like it overheated bad enough to melt the exhaust hose couplers off and blow mud everywhere. There won't be anything left of that motor. but hopefully you'll get lucky and the engine survived.