Possible Cracked Block

[silverstone]

I would be very very appreciative if someone could help me solve this problem as cost effectiveley as possible. So here is the story.

I have had my boat for 5 years now and winterize it every year myself. It is a 2003 Larson 180 with a 4.3L Mercruiser I/O. I thought that by just pulling the plugs and letting the water drain was good enough maybe that isn't because I went to fire it up for the first time this season at the lake and it started right up as usual. It idled for about 10 minutes while my friend went to park the trailer. By the time he got back the engine had just stalled out. No pops loud noises just a gentle stall. I couldn't get it to start back up so I lifted the engine compartment and there was milky white oil sprayed all over the engine that came from the PCV Valves. I have winterized it the same way since I have owned it and never had this problem. The only thing I could think of though is it must be cracked.

So my question is can I just clean out the engine with fresh oil with diesel and patch it up some how and call it good or do I really have to replace the engine on a boat that's practically brand new. This is really sad as all these stories are. It just seems like the engine should still work if it weren't for water leaking in somehow.

 

[4winnsskipper]

Re: Possible Cracked Block

I would be very very appreciative if someone could help me solve this problem as cost effectiveley as possible. So here is the story.

I have had my boat for 5 years now and winterize it every year myself. It is a 2003 Larson 180 with a 4.3L Mercruiser I/O. I thought that by just pulling the plugs and letting the water drain was good enough maybe that isn't because I went to fire it up for the first time this season at the lake and it started right up as usual. It idled for about 10 minutes while my friend went to park the trailer. By the time he got back the engine had just stalled out. No pops loud noises just a gentle stall. I couldn't get it to start back up so I lifted the engine compartment and there was milky white oil sprayed all over the engine that came from the PCV Valves. I have winterized it the same way since I have owned it and never had this problem. The only thing I could think of though is it must be cracked.

So my question is can I just clean out the engine with fresh oil with diesel and patch it up some how and call it good or do I really have to replace the engine on a boat that's practically brand new. This is really sad as all these stories are. It just seems like the engine should still work if it weren't for water leaking in somehow.

oil filter on good and tight? remove it to make sure the rubber seal from ther last fitler didn't stay on causing a bad seal. need more info if this isn't an issue.

 

[260baja]

Re: Possible Cracked Block

i think my boat is acting similiar other than it is still running ok. i'm getting the white milky oil out of the breather caps on the covers. my oil seems to be a little tainted also. i work on diesel engines and when a head gasket blows and the engine takes in water into the crankcase, the oil will be milky white within a few minutes. mine is not doing that, just the milky blowbye. is your crankcase full of water?

 

[Don S]

Re: Possible Cracked Block

For it to fill up that fast, a head gasket or "Leaking oil filter gasket"????? isn't going to fill your crankcase with water. That is a cracked block, sorry, but the handwriting is on the wall.
Pulling drain plugs doesn't help if there is something clogging the hole, and on a raw water cooled engine, that is a strong possibility.
When the engine fills with water and becomes milky, and fills every nook and cranny of the engine, of course it won't start.

 

[silverstone]

Re: Possible Cracked Block

So can the engine be cleaned and the crack welded? And if the crack can't be welded or repaired then just out of curiosity would the engine still fire up if I cleaned it, put fresh oil to it and ran it without water? If I do end up replacing the block, do I get short block or long block? What's the difference and how much should I expect to pay to have it installled? Thank you for your help everyone.

 

[Haut Medoc]

Re: Possible Cracked Block

Welcome to iboats......
If it is cracked internally, there is no magic fix.....
Whether you get a long block or short block would depend on if the heads sustained damage.....
You can get a rebuilt longblock for about 2K.......
Probably another 2K to R&R the engine.....
Of course that figure will vary according to local shop rates.....​

 

[bsh21wash]

Re: Possible Cracked Block

Long block- comes with heads
Short block- does not.

www.rapidomarine.com These guys are not to bad on the wallet.

Good Luck

 

[silverstone]

Re: Possible Cracked Block

Wow, I love how quickly everyone replies. The price of the engine isn't quite as bad as I thought it might be but the labor doesn't sound so great. I was hoping for more like 1000 for labor. Anyway, I have a friend who is a diesel mechanic that said he would swap it out for free. I don't think he has ever done a boat before so is there anything I should warn him about before he attempts this?

Also, What can I do with the old block? Is it of any value?

 

[silverstone]

Re: Possible Cracked Block

Oh, Also a friend mentioned I could get a block at Kragens for around a thousand. What is the difference between this block and the ones online that are Marine. I also noticed that Rapido Marine doesn't have anything newer than 2001 and my boat is 2003. Does that matter?

 

[Haut Medoc]

Re: Possible Cracked Block

If he is a real mechanic, it won't be a problem.....
You must get an alignment tool, to make sure the new engine is properly aligned......
I would get him an OEM manual to refer to as well, there will be alot of stuff that will need to be swapped & he will need the torque values......
Don't waste money on a Seloc or Clymers, because they are wrong half of the time......

​

 

[Haut Medoc]

Re: Possible Cracked Block

A car engine has a different cam.....
If you have your present engine serial # & call Raoul, he'll tell ya what you need.....
The old block can be used as a moooring anchor or be sold for scrap....​