Mercruiser Tuliped Valve Cause?

[robnrene]

Re: Mercruiser Tuliped Valve Cause?

Not sure what kind of plugs were installed. It was 8 marine spark plugs.

 

[Dhadley]

Re: Mercruiser Tuliped Valve Cause?

Spark plugs have a lot to do with combustion temps....................

 

[Doug Durako]

Re: Mercruiser Tuliped Valve Cause?

Rob----turn in an insurance claim if you have not already done so. If you have RDPL coverage (sometimes called all risk of direct physical loss), it should cover this type of damage unless someone can prove that your collision with the sandbar had absolutely nothing to do with the damage.<br /><br />Insurance company has to prove that, not you.<br /><br />Was there damage to the prop? Or to the bottom of the boat? <br /><br />Not sure how long you ran the motor after you hit the sandbar, but seems possible that you could have clogged the intake or burnt up the impeller in your drive and restricted water flow to the motor----resulting in overheating?<br /><br />It is still a covered loss under any insurance policy I know of.

 

[robnrene]

Re: Mercruiser Tuliped Valve Cause?

DD-We have turned in the claim to our insurance company and it was denied as the "marine specialist" stated that the damage was due to lack of oil. That is the main reason I am here to gather information on how lack of oil could have caused this when the bottom end was not burned up, the engine did not seize, no damage to the crankcase, etc.<br />There were scrapes on the bottom of the boat and the prop was "spun".

 

[CCrew]

Re: Mercruiser Tuliped Valve Cause?

You know... It almost sounds like a classic case of motor over-rev and floated a valve. That would have damaged a piston, and if any part of the valve broke, that accounts for the cylinder wall. Without being able to see the condition of the valve, that's a hard call though<br /><br />Boat hits sandbar at speed, under high load. Prop spins, motor over-rev's, stuffs a valve. <br /><br />Vehicle equivalent to missing a shift.. Even an electronic rev-limiter may or may not catch it before damage is done. I have a piston rod sitting here to prove that can happen. <br /><br />Just thinking out loud.. I build crazy power motors, and have seen these scenarios more than once in cars. <br /><br />-Roger

 

[Doug Durako]

Re: Mercruiser Tuliped Valve Cause?

Rob---did they deny without an inspection? You should demand to be there when inspected.<br />That's why I asked about other visible damage. Are they saying you did not hit anything?<br /><br />Do you have "all risk of physical damage" type of coverage? If so, the adjuster needs to show you what paragraph in the policy he/she is using to specifically deny your claim.<br /><br />Does not matter if it was lack of oil, if you hit something, you are covered. The carrier should pay for all other damage not caused by lack of oil, as stated here.<br /><br />You can also demand arbitration and hire a specialist of your own. What state are you in? Go to your state Dept. of Ins. web site and look at how to file a state Department of Insurance complaint. Let the adjuster know you intend to do this. Keep all documentation you have from the insurance carrier.<br /><br />Many times, if you take just a few steps to protect your rights, the insurance carrier will at least take a closer look. I would also show them all of the opinions you have gotten on this board.<br /><br />Good luck!

 

[Doug Durako]

Re: Mercruiser Tuliped Valve Cause?

Forgot to mention----if, in fact, you were low on oil, the insurance company will not pay for everything. Be prepared to negotiate and settle the next time the adjuster contacts you. Get estimates and hard numbers to take to that meeting.

 

[Doug Durako]

Re: Mercruiser Tuliped Valve Cause?

ooops---you answered one of my questions. The insurance company owes for the repair to the bottom of your boat and to rebuild the prop---minimum. Did they have a repair estimate on those items?<br /><br />Don't settle until a mechanic breaks down your complete lower unit and inspects everything. Insurance should also pay for labor to do all this.<br /><br />Again---good luck!

 

[DMLedford]

Re: Mercruiser Tuliped Valve Cause?

Intake valves dont tulip. Where is all the heat. The exhaust. If by some chance you did tulip an intake valve you Melted the exhaust valve out of the engine. Flame travel, Heat, exhaust. Get rid of the heat and you wont tulip any valves.

Intake valves do tulip. Have plenty of heads that come through my machine shop with tuliped intake valves. Have a 4.3L Mercruiser head with tuliped intake valves in the shop right now.

MOD EDIT: @DMLedford please review the forum rule about posting to old threads.

 

[Lou C]

20 year old thread!