1993 Mercruiser 3.0 new to me, with major problems, Not Running, Water mixed with oil

[saltybutwet]

Re: 1993 Mercruiser 3.0 new to me, with major problems, Not Running, Water mixed with

Just one guys take, I wouldn't spend another moment trying to save that engine. (BTDT too many times) Your time is worth something after all and I don't believe that engine is. Sorry...

I think the same way about that engine, however a used engine is expensive, and again probably buying another problem...

Not sure what i'm going to do it yet..

 

[wrench 3]

Re: 1993 Mercruiser 3.0 new to me, with major problems, Not Running, Water mixed with

What about the u-joints, they look to me like I may need to replace them? at some point

You can check the "U" joints by flexing each one through it's movement in both directions, while keeping a light rotating pressure on the shaft. If there is any roughness, replace them. If they work smoothly, grease them and re-use. It looks like they have a plug instead of the grease fitting in the center of the trunnion. They would have to be removed and the fittings installed.

 

[saltybutwet]

Re: 1993 Mercruiser 3.0 new to me, with major problems, Not Running, Water mixed with

pulling the engine today

can I buy the engine core plugs aka " Freeze Plugs" from an auto parts store, or do I need to buy online?

thanks!

 

[wrench 3]

Re: 1993 Mercruiser 3.0 new to me, with major problems, Not Running, Water mixed with

Some auto supply stores can get the marine core plugs, but they must be made of brass so that they don't rust out.

 

[saltybutwet]

Re: 1993 Mercruiser 3.0 new to me, with major problems, Not Running, Water mixed with

Some auto supply stores can get the marine core plugs, but they must be made of brass so that they don't rust out.

Thanks!
I will check around at a few stores today, see what i can order

 

[saltybutwet]

Re: 1993 Mercruiser 3.0 new to me, with major problems, Not Running, Water mixed with

got the engine out! It was a chore by myself, as always. I will start my investigation tomorrow on a possible internal cracked block
here are some pics

 

[saltybutwet]

Re: 1993 Mercruiser 3.0 new to me, with major problems, Not Running, Water mixed with

more pics, I'm calling it a day!...and yes, it was a tight squeeze getting that engine out, but once I got it turned sideways, it was no problem
I have found that blowed out plug, still keeping my fingers crossed that the block is not cracked internally. I will keep moving forward...wonder if I can pop that plug back it, so I can do that pressure test on the cooling system

 

[Bondo]

Re: 1993 Mercruiser 3.0 new to me, with major problems, Not Running, Water mixed with

more pics, I'm calling it a day!...and yes, it was a tight squeeze getting that engine out, but once I got it turned sideways, it was no problem
I have found that blowed out plug, still keeping my fingers crossed that the block is not cracked internally. I will keep moving forward...wonder if I can pop that plug back it, so I can do that pressure test on the cooling system

Ayuh,.... The pressure test is fairly easy, til ya pull the head off,...

So, Ya, go for it,....

As I said, roll it over, 'n pull the base off,...
You'll still be able to pressure test, 'n you'll really be able to see/ hear a crack,...

 

[saltybutwet]

Re: 1993 Mercruiser 3.0 new to me, with major problems, Not Running, Water mixed with

Ayuh,.... The pressure test is fairly easy, til ya pull the head off,...

So, Ya, go for it,....

As I said, roll it over, 'n pull the base off,...
You'll still be able to pressure test, 'n you'll really be able to see/ hear a crack,...

yep, plan on doing that tomorrow if possible

 

[saltybutwet]

Re: 1993 Mercruiser 3.0 new to me, with major problems, Not Running, Water mixed with

more pics

 

[saltybutwet]

Re: 1993 Mercruiser 3.0 new to me, with major problems, Not Running, Water mixed with

update!

I did some more troubleshooting today...

The core plug looked really good ( will purchase a new one), but I cleaned the edge of the brass core plug aka "freeze plug" with my buffer, and cleaned up the rust that was around inside rim of the core hole in the block.

I then re-installed the core plug back into the core hole in the block,( *****just temporary, so I can air pressure test the block*****) using some gasket sealer on the edge of the freeze plug.

I then setup to air pressure test the cooling passages in the block...with oil pan drain plug removed

I hooked up my hoses, clamps, pressure gauge, ect, induced 20psi into the cooling system. I immediately saw the pressure gauge start to drop by lb , "Oh crap!!! maybe I had an internal cracked block", I really said a few choice words, other than " Oh Crap" .

I then got my bottle of soapy water, re- pressurized the system again to 20psi, and started spraying all my hose connections that had clamps. as the pressure was dropping I located some major leaks around the hoses, so I tightened up the clamps some more.

I got all the clamps tightened, sprayed soapy water on them again, no more bubbles

I induced 20psi again into the cooling system......it held pressure for 2+hours, maybe even longer. I did not unhook the air until I got up all my stuff that I had strolled all over the place today. The last thing I put up was that air hose probably about 35 more minutes later

so IMO I feel like my block does not have a crack...that is IMO on the block only

my next test will be a cylinder leak down compression test

I would appreciate opinions good or bad, they all help

 

[fishrdan]

Re: 1993 Mercruiser 3.0 new to me, with major problems, Not Running, Water mixed with

I induced 20psi again into the cooling system......it held pressure for 2+hours, maybe even longer.

Excellent news! Sounds like you dodged a bullet.

The compression and leak-down test results should be interesting.

Since the engine is out, I'd be tempted to remove that JB Weld patch (if it's a patch) and do a better repair, with the engine on a stand and the repair area horizontal.

 

[saltybutwet]

Re: 1993 Mercruiser 3.0 new to me, with major problems, Not Running, Water mixed with

Excellent news! Sounds like you dodged a bullet.

The compression and leak-down test results should be interesting.

Since the engine is out, I'd be tempted to remove that JB Weld patch (if it's a patch) and do a better repair, with the engine on a stand and the repair area horizontal.

thanks!!! I hope I dodged a bullet...
already used my grinding stone to remove the jb weld on the block. I was curious to know if there was a crack on the outside of the engine block
here is a pic of what I found.... **I did the air pressure test with the jb weld removed from the block**

 

[fishrdan]

Re: 1993 Mercruiser 3.0 new to me, with major problems, Not Running, Water mixed with

**I did the air pressure test with the jb weld removed from the block**

Sounds like they did a good job of "jamming" JB weld into the crack and sealing it up. Though, I don't see that they drilled the ends of the crack, to stop the crack from spreading.

I've JBwelded a bunch of stuff, but never a cracked block, But.... I think that adding a small piece of fiberglass cloth to the repair area would be beneficial. Clean the block 1.5" around the crack, cut a fiberglass patch 1" around the crack, lay down JB weld 1.5" around the crack, apply fiberglass patch, then top it off with JB weld. (Thin patch is better than a thick patch, thick patch could pull away easier.)

Thoughts on the fiberglass block patch from the others???

 

[saltybutwet]

Re: 1993 Mercruiser 3.0 new to me, with major problems, Not Running, Water mixed with

Sounds like they did a good job of "jamming" JB weld into the crack and sealing it up. Though, I don't see that they drilled the ends of the crack, to stop the crack from spreading.

I've JBwelded a bunch of stuff, but never a cracked block, But.... I think that adding a small piece of fiberglass cloth to the repair area would be beneficial. Clean the block 1.5" around the crack, cut a fiberglass patch 1" around the crack, lay down JB weld 1.5" around the crack, apply fiberglass patch, then top it off with JB weld. (Thin patch is better than a thick patch, thick patch could pull away easier.)

Thoughts on the fiberglass block patch from the others???

that crack is so thin, that I thought it was a hair from my black lab stuck on the block. I couldn't feel that it was a crack, looks like one.

not sure about using fiberglass for part of a engine block patch?... I have read a lot of threads on a cracked engine block , most folks used jb weld or some other like marine epoxy, I think, to repair the outside block

 

[fishrdan]

Re: 1993 Mercruiser 3.0 new to me, with major problems, Not Running, Water mixed with

Fiberglass is just to keep the crack stable, over and above the bonding strength of JB weld. Thin fiberglass cloth that the JB weld will flow through, 4 or 6 oz cloth. Don't really need it, though I think it would make a better repair, or a more stable repair.

 

[saltybutwet]

Re: 1993 Mercruiser 3.0 new to me, with major problems, Not Running, Water mixed with

well, I still have more testing to do, to further confirm that I don't have a internal cracked block. I know that if the engine was warmed to normal operating temperature,I may have had an internal leak, now that I did the air pressure test on a dead cold engine, my results may not be true, from what I understand...

I will update when I can truly confirm that I have no internal cracked block, then I will move in the direction I need to go with this 3.0

I will pull the pan, and check for internal cracks inside the block. I will pull the head and inspect gasket, and head surface, and test the intake manifold, and report back. This will take some time to do... may still ask a few question as I go along, if that will still be ok...

thanks all for the advice.I appreciate it, more than you know..

 

[saltybutwet]

Re: 1993 Mercruiser 3.0 new to me, with major problems, Not Running, Water mixed with

Does anyone have a part number for the large expansion plug that blew out of the rear of my mercruiser 3.0 engine
Engine Serial# 0F023890
So i can purchase it
Thanks!

 

[Bondo]

Re: 1993 Mercruiser 3.0 new to me, with major problems, Not Running, Water mixed with

Does anyone have a part number for the large expansion plug that blew out of the rear of my mercruiser 3.0 engine
Engine Serial# 0F023890
So i can purchase it
Thanks!

Ayuh,.... It's probably the standard Chevy, 1, 5/8" core plug, just be sure to buy it in brass,....
Measure it to be sure,...
No reason to have a Mercruiser number for it, it's a standard brass core plug,...

Or, just beat that 1 back it,....

 

[saltybutwet]

Re: 1993 Mercruiser 3.0 new to me, with major problems, Not Running, Water mixed with

I did some more digging this evening, in the dark. I seem to see things better in the dark with a 1000 lumen light sometimes, more so than in the daylight.

I was looking into the intake ports of the head, looking at the valves. I saw what looked like a light coating of oil on top of two intake valves. I believe them to be #2 & #3 cylinders, all other valves are dry, including the exhaust valves...so I wonder why the #2 #3 have that oil on them....any thoughts on this?

here is a pic of the 2 intake valves I am referring to