200 HP EFI - Frozen - Any idea on how water got in?

[frillici]

I have a 200 HP, 2000 EFI that is frozem / siezed. In October 2005 I broke a scupper and the boat laid over on it's side - still tied to the dock only the side of the engine touched the salt water - but I guess some got in. Whe the boat was pulled the enjine would not start due to no spark. The enjine turned freely and was flushed with Oil, plugs removed and cylinders lubed with oil and turned over by the starter. Then in December, I checked the engine again, pulled pugs and put oil in the cylinder - turned over with starter.<br /><br />Now I check in January - and it is frozen - ouch!<br />Any ideas what to do now - I sprayed the cylinders with penetrating oil and flushed with Marverl Mystery oil.<br /><br />How bad do you think this problem is? and with a EFI, how does the water get into the engine - can it get in through the rear exhaust?

 

[DHPMARINE]

Re: 200 HP EFI - Frozen - Any idea on how water got in?

Water probably came in the exhaust,but also check your fuel and oil tanks.Unless the motor frees up easily,now that you added oil to the cylinders,I'd look at tearing it down for a visual inspection.<br /><br />You might eventually free it up with lots of oil,only to have short term failure if the crank bearings are rusted up.<br /><br />Last October someone should have told you to fix the spark,and get her running ASAP.Obviously too late now.<br /><br />DHP

 

[frillici]

Re: 200 HP EFI - Frozen - Any idea on how water got in?

Thanks DHP.<br /><br />Assume I get it free this Saturday after the oil does it trick - is it worth tearing down? and if so about how many hours or $ would you estimate to get it torn down and re-built?<br /><br />Also, some one told me to "gently" tap the top of the cylinders throgu the plug holes with a wooden dowel and tap the flywheel with a wooden block to get if free - is this a good idea?

 

[Chinewalker]

Re: 200 HP EFI - Frozen - Any idea on how water got in?

If the motor got stuck due to saltwater intrusion into the powerhead - even in one cylinder, then a teardown is in order. As was stated by DHP, even if you were to free it up as is, the motor would likely self-destruct in short order due to damage caused by the corrosion. A teardown might reveal corrosion in lots of places - or maybe just one bearing or piston ring.<br /><br />As it sits now, it's not running. Torn down, it's still not running, but if it is determined to be beyond saving, it's much easier to part out or move around. And you might get lucky and find that it is repairable with a minimum of investment (assuming you're doing the labor yourself). <br /><br />I would pull the heads and see if you can localize it and then go from there...<br /><br />- Scott

 

[frillici]

Re: 200 HP EFI - Frozen - Any idea on how water got in?

Thank you for the suggestions. How can I get oil to the bearings. I poured about a quart of marvel mystery oil down a couple cylinders that were in either intake or exhaust sycle. Will this oil flow down into the crankcase and into the bearings?<br /><br />It has been two days since I lubed up the engine - how long should I wait before trying to free it up?

 

[rodbolt]

Re: 200 HP EFI - Frozen - Any idea on how water got in?

dont attempt to free it and run it. it WILL fail.<br /> first remove the gearcase to isolate what part locked. if its the powerhead then a COMPLETE teardown is nessasary as all the rods,all the wristpin and all but one main bearing is of a needle bearing design.<br /> one corrosion pit on a crank or wristpin surface and the motor will self destruct at speed.*

 

[frillici]

Re: 200 HP EFI - Frozen - Any idea on how water got in?

rodbolt - thanks.<br /><br />If I have to go the route of teardown on the powerhead is it cost effective to rebuild or buy a remanufactured power head. I would not attemp this - I would have a marine mechanic restore.

 

[rodbolt]

Re: 200 HP EFI - Frozen - Any idea on how water got in?

depends on the damage.<br /> I did one a few years back due to the same problem you have. all the rods and bearings were fine it was the bottom main that had water damage and stuck. took about 15 hours and about 800 in parts and the motor is still running today.<br /> if the damage is minimal your set if it took out the crank and a rod or two its expensive. last late model v6 merc rod I bought was about 160 I think.

 

[Chinewalker]

Re: 200 HP EFI - Frozen - Any idea on how water got in?

Yep, you never know until you get in there. I recently had a late model OMC 25hp that was seized. Similar problem in that moisture had gotten into the bottom roller bearing. It was a $15.00 part at the local bearing house. While in there I cleaned things up, honed the bores, installed new rings. Total with a gasket kit was about $75.00. I'm sure if I had torqued on it I could have gotten the motor freed up, but I'm sure, after looking at the bearing, that it would have come apart in short order, possibly destroying the crankcase, crankshaft, etc.<br />Certainly not the same as a 6-cylinder, but gives you an idea of a "best case" scenario....<br />- Scott

 

[Dhadley]

Re: 200 HP EFI - Frozen - Any idea on how water got in?

Tom -- take heed to Rodbolts advise about the lower unit. 99 times out of 100 its as you suspect. But, I have seen that 100th time bite so very good mechanics.....

 

[frillici]

Re: 200 HP EFI - Frozen - Any idea on how water got in?

All good information - this is a great forum for outboard problems. <br /><br />I now understand that a tear-down is going to be in order - or I get damn lucky and it is the lower unit. Fingers crossed.<br /><br />I am still curious on how the water can get into the block. The engine barely kissed the water on the port side. The boat was tied to the dock so she leaned over at an angle. Any if water that got in through the cover it would have sat in the lower well. It is an EFI, so the air intakes are rather high on the front of the block. The mechanic who first pickled the engine swears that NO water was found in the cylinders and she turned over freely - and he uses the starter to run lot's of oil through. The gas was changed and oil tank drained and re-filled with new oil.<br /><br />The only way I think water could have got in is through the upper exhaust port - is this possible ? I would think water rushes into that port all the time when you stop or get hit with a following sea?<br /><br />Also - if water did get into the lower cowel of the engine is it possible that it would flow down to the lower unit and lock.<br /><br />Just trying to think through the process as I contemplate my repair bill.

 

[rodbolt]

Re: 200 HP EFI - Frozen - Any idea on how water got in?

the entire exhaust chamber,not just the idle relief is open to the water. wave action can and does force water up into the cylinder. if that cylinders intake port is open then you have water in the crank case. if you dont run it it will gravity feed to the bottom main,ball bearing. unless the engine is torn down or run there is no way to remove any water trapped in the lower main bearing retainer. I see the odd engine that will hydrolock at a high speed shut down due to the wake entering the exaust.<br /> not often but it happens. but first remove the gearcase then inspect for a locked up powerhead or case and continue from there.