Please help with boat decision

[tuanp]

I'm looking to buy a used boat and came across an '85 Sea Ray Seville (19'). It has a 170hp 4-cylinder (Chevy I think) and a MerCruiser. I was initially attracted to this boat because it has only 64 hours on the engine (according to the meter) and has fresh-water cooling; however, the boat has been sitting since 1997. The interior/upholstery is rough from sitting; but the engine looks very clean. The owner bought it in 1990 and used it four times before he got sick; he passed away last year and his wife now sells it without knowing much about it. Supposedly, the owner did winterize it before he stopped using it.<br /><br />Needless to say the engine doesn't start right now. Thinking that I could revive it, I verbally agreed to buy it; but now I have cold feet. I wonder whether its low hours is negated by the fact that it sat for so long. Is there much harm done to a boat engine when it sits for so long? What things could go wrong? Is a low-hour engine that sits worse than an often-used one that's maintained?<br /><br />I'm not an expert mechanic or anything but I've had experience working on my cars and an old outboard. Would it be worth the risk to buy this boat at a cheap price?<br /><br />I hooked up a discharged battery to it and put a charger on "Engine Start" mode and tried to crank it. I only hear clicks from the starter but no turning. I'm hoping it's because there's not much juice in the battery. I plan to spend a morning trying to get it to start before I decide. Can you suggest what prep work I need to do? From other posts in this forum, I gathered that I should do things like <br />- put Marvel Mystery or WD40 in the cylinders<br />- lube the impeller (if I can find it)<br />- check for spark<br />- OTHER?<br /><br />Any help would be appreciated. I'd hate to back out but I don't want to be getting myself into a nightmare either. Thanks in advance.<br /><br />tuan

 

[Spidybot]

Re: Please help with boat decision

Low or high hours are not as great a concern as neglect or lack of care. If it was actully winterized you shouldn't face big problems. How was it stored? Climate? <br />What you need to do is check all known possible problem points.<br /><br />The engine is very similar to a car - it has just been 'marinized'.<br /><br />Take a close look at all hoses, tubes, belts and wires. Linkage and cables.<br /><br />I'd ignore any bad behaviour when a 100% OK battery is not connected.<br /><br />Pull the oil stick and take a close look at the oil. It should be replaced (+filter) due to age before actually running the engine, but you need to know that it's there and that the amount is sufficient even when just tesing the engine. Check coolant.<br /><br />Remove, inspect and clean spark plugs (notice order as you might have to identify a cylinder showing errors).<br /><br />Check fuel level in tank. Any fuel may have turned sour and if you can manage a separate supply for the test, it'll be good.<br /><br />Supply cooling water to the lower unit (muffs or barrel).<br /><br />Apply choke and some throttle. <br /><br />Crank the engine. If it starts - keep rpm low.<br />If it doesn't, go on with systematic troubleshooting: Ignition, fuel, lube and cooling are basic for it to work.<br /><br />You're going to need a manual for servicing it thoroughly but get back to us when you've done part 1.<br /><br />Oh - and regarding the boat I just wanna add: I love my Sea Ray

 

[shadowdwpp]

Re: Please help with boat decision

try a charged starting bettery and also check the power cable make sure they're not rust/corroded so badly that you can't get enough power to turn it over. what does the voltmeter read when you turn the key? if the terminals are corroded then they may not be making contact with power cables.<br /><br />the clicks occur when your not turning out enough Juice. you at least know your solenoids (sp) for the starter appear to be ok.

 

[tuanp]

Re: Please help with boat decision

I put a charged battery on it and it cranks now, but does not turn over. I pulled one of the plugs and checked for spark but did not see any, at least not on that one. I'll get a test light and check the coil for current.<br /><br />I inspected the engine, everything looks very clean, hoses, clamps, plug/coil wires; distributor and cap look almost new.<br /><br />One more question: I tried playing with the trim buttons to see if the outdrive will move, but it didn't. I did this without the engine running (of course), just with a battery hooked up. All I hear is some clicking near the engine when I press the UP or DN button, nothing else happens. Any idea? Thanks.<br /><br />tuan

 

[Spidybot]

Re: Please help with boat decision

Sounds as if all moving parts needs to be looked after. Trim is powered by an electric motor driving a hydraulic pump, and the motor most likely is stuck. Not neccessarily defect, but stuck.<br /><br />The engine not turning is another concern. Does

it cranks now, but does not turn over

mean that it cranks and turns the engine but does not start?<br /><br />If it means that the starter engages but can't turn the crackshaft, you may face serious problems as it could indicate internal parts completely stuck..<br /><br />Remove all plugs and try again. With all plugs out it should crank and turn at fairly high rpm.<br /><br />If the engine is frozen great care should be taken. It may come loose but then it needs care to overcome the effects of the freeze.<br /><br />It the starter engages and turns the engine but it wont start, you're right by lokking at ign. and the other basics.<br /><br />Remember to get a manual (library or buy).<br /><br />Take care, and let us know.<br /><br />AND just a thought: The remote must be in neutral.. it has a security switch that prevents starting in gear. If in gear nothing at all will happen as starter circuit is disabled.

 

[shadowdwpp]

Re: Please help with boat decision

if it's been sitting since 97 was fuel in the tank that whole time the fuel might be bad. does it smell like gasoline or turpentine. even with fuel stabilizer I would imagine it would only work so long if the boat has been sitting since 1997 unless an excessive amount of stabilizer was added the gas would most likely have broken down in the past 6 years. if there not alot of fule in the tank purhaps you could try adding fresh fuel to try to get it to turn over.

 

[tuanp]

Re: Please help with boat decision

Thanks for the replies. To answer UU's question, the starter does turn the engine (the crankshaft rotates) but it does not fire. Even so, is it possible for some parts to be frozen while others are moving? I'd guess not but I'd like to make sure because it sounds like I can ruin something if I don't "take great care".<br /><br />I'm going to look for a manual now, but can you say what it'd take to unstick the trim motor. If it is indeed stuck, is it a simple matter to fix?<br /><br />Regarding the fuel, if I can get the plugs to fire, I definitely put fresh fuel in it.<br /><br />Thanks again.

 

[Spidybot]

Re: Please help with boat decision

If the crank turns we assume all other miving parts are OK as well. This is what you'd normally expect.<br /><br />My warnings regarded a stuck, frozen, engine that was forced to move and eventually start. Imagine parts racing around in there, grinding it's way through corrosion marks in cylinder walls with broekn piston rings sticking ends out here and there.. <br /><br />You obviously are much better off. Get the manual and do the systematic troubleshooting.<br /><br />If/when you replace parts, it is crucial that you use marine parts. Although they appear to be the same, car parts are NOT and you must not try to save this way! It's about safety !<br /><br />Have fun - you're on the way.....

 

[Spidybot]

Re: Please help with boat decision