What should I do now? Boat Motor Problems

[TwoWatt]

Question. I bought a 72 arrowglass w/ a 140 mercruiser i/o. When I bought it it ran ok. Had some problems firing up on a warm start, so I took it too someone to do a tune up- he could never get it refired. I took it too a dealer & he says - 'its making oil' What could do this being how I m pretty sure the block isnt cracked. <br />ALSO, seeing as the boat is in decent shape for a '72, should I attempt to get a used motor to replace it, or buy a new boat. The dealer said he has a used 140 for $1500 & 3 hours labor. Or he has a 88 deck boat w/ a 305 Chevy OMC i/o for $2000....(interior not in the greatest shape is the stated reason for selling. <br />What should I do?? I m hardly rich and hate to throw $1700 that I paid for this boat out the window & start over again.<br />This was my introduction to boating & has been a living hell. <br />Any help/suggestions would be appreciated.

 

[clanton]

Re: What should I do now? Boat Motor Problems

Start by checking the compression, the gas in the oil is comming from flooding or fuel pump diaphram. Find new dealer.

 

[12Footer]

Re: What should I do now? Boat Motor Problems

Hmm. Clanton may be on to something there.<br />If the boat you own now is otherwise solid,no rot, and you were happy with it running, "go with the repower" is the decission I would make. This is because the boat is what I wanted to begine with, and the price for the new engine isn't bad,if he stays below his estimate. I'm sorry to hear about the luck you've had to begin with.<br />Boats are very expensive to have repaired, and aren't much cheaper for us "do it yerselfers"....But we try. Another tip I can give you is, learn all you can about boats,boating safety,and working on them.<br />"Making oil" is not very much info. A mechanic could rebuild the thing for about the same cost as the refit,and give you a 60day garantee. If the block is sound,the cyclinders can be bored oversize, and you could actually pick up a few more HP out of the engine.<br />It might just be a carcked ring, or broken valve guide putting gas int the oil . Cheap fixes,once you are in mid tear-down.<br />Just another option to consider.<br />And get a second opinion.

 

[TwoWatt]

Re: What should I do now? Boat Motor Problems

Well, I talked the the guy who sold me the boat. He stated he broke a screw driver in the #1 cylinder trying to 'find out when the piston reaches the top on the fire stroke' He stated he did get the old screwdriver piece out & sold the boat. Isnt this happy news for me...... What could of happened? A hole in the cylinder wall? Fixable? Thanks...

 

[fone_man]

Re: What should I do now? Boat Motor Problems

Just read your post, it would be safe to assume that former owner put a hole in piston.<br /><br />When this happens, fuel is dispensed into crankcase vs. out the exhaust as fumes... thus "making oil"!<br /><br />This is a very popular & sturdy Merc I/O engine... I suggest rebuild engine you have. The reason they want to do a "remove & replace" is due to labor costs... make more money by slapping in new/used engine.<br /><br />If I was the dealer/mechanic... and I could get away with selling my used engine, get a great core, do rebuild in my spare time... I MAKE MONEY!!! Plus I get to sell something... engine or old boat sitting out back... if it was such a great deal why doesn't he fix the interior???<br /><br />Before I would pull engine & replace... I would take head off mine & get a good looksee!!!<br /><br />Good luck & keep us posted.

 

[clanton]

Re: What should I do now? Boat Motor Problems

Do the compression, the other 3 cylinders good, pull head and take a look. If compression is good on the 3, you may be able to just replace the piston on the 1 cylinder.

 

[TwoWatt]

Re: What should I do now? Boat Motor Problems

ok. official diagnosis from dealer: "did compression test on #4 cylinder-very poor- diagnose possible cracked block & several valves bent" however he & I were not aware of the whole(no pun intended) piston issue. Would the #4 be in front of the engine near the water pump/alt pulleys? <br />ser # off engine 3565484 mercruiser 140/io chevy motor <br />Anyone in northern indiana work on engines & give me idea at how much it would be to replace a piston?

 

[12Footer]

Re: What should I do now? Boat Motor Problems

This is the whole issue. The piston would be part of the rebuild, if you decided to go that route. If the block is cracked, it would require a new block. A new "Short block" is a rebuilt block assembly,with the pistons,crankshaft and all that rot. You re-use your old heads,starter,alternator and carb/intake and exaust manifolds. Cheap enough,and easy enough,AND you would have at least some garauntee of reliabilty. A pulled engine from another boat was initially pulled for a reason.<br />You do not want to find out what that reason was a mile from shore. JMHO

 

[clanton]

Re: What should I do now? Boat Motor Problems

I would still like to see the compression numbers. Number 4 in rear. Screwdriver in number 1. Your first post said engine ran, until tune up right? Making oil, water or gas?

 

[Mike M2]

Re: What should I do now? Boat Motor Problems

Personally, i wouldn't make a move until i pulled the head for a look. At this piont it's still a guess, he could be wrong. Take an hours labor and pull the head, just to know for sure.

 

[fone_man]

Re: What should I do now? Boat Motor Problems

Read the follow up posts...<br /><br />Do your self a favor and pull the head... you have done a compression check (intial diagnostic check), move on to visual inspection... with all this typing could have head off by now... this will confirm any problems.<br /><br />Keep us posted...

 

[TwoWatt]

Re: What should I do now? Boat Motor Problems

Alrighty then.... I am thinking of doing something w/ this boat (my gf wants me to find a graveyard & buy a plot) I found a person that would swap my engine w/ a used engine(not rebuilt,is winterized) for $1400 installed? This didnt sound bad too me- but----another used engine with possible problems doesnt sound to tempting... <br /><br />I am planning on removing the head tommorow before I do anything. Any tips or suggestions? Im pretty handy at breaking down, its the building back up that always gets me. Should I even attempt this? I have the manual for my engine. I figure I better do something before it gets any colder. If i do find piston damage- should I just yank the motor & take it too a shop? A guy quoted me 900 on a complete rebuild(assuming nothing is cracked/unrepairable)<br />With the head off- what are some things I should inspect? <br />Well. Hopefully you all are late nighters like myself or may miss the chance to respond before I screw something up <br /><br />P.S. thanks for all the help so far- every one tells me to just get rid of it(boat)- but I like my cool little boat.. I dont mind if its orange,29 years old & missing the seats in the front,it's mine

 

[fone_man]

Re: What should I do now? Boat Motor Problems

what did you find???<br /><br />