2000 bayliner 4.3 merc cruiser

[lateralaxis]

good day everyone. new to the forum and looking for some ideas or service information.<br />i dont have much i/o experience, but ive been a master auto tech specializing in german imports for 15 years......so maybe we can trade some info to make this a mutually beneficial experience.....<br /><br />the problem.....<br />friends of mine own a 2000 bayliner with a 4.3 ltr merc cruiser i/o. i havnt drove to the lake to look at it yet, but here's what was explained to me: after de-winterizing with fresh fluids, filters, and plugs, the boat started and ran fine. after approx. 20 min of run time the motor sputtered and died. upon opening the engine compartment he found a large amount of oil and gas mixture sprayed everywhere. like ive said, i havnt had the opportuinty to go inspect it yet, just know there is a big mess. any preliminary ideas or direction i could get would greatly be appreciated.....its a 2 hour drive and im not having much luck finding factory information.<br />thanx again

 

[Don S]

Re: 2000 bayliner 4.3 merc cruiser

If that oil mixture is milky, I would guess it wasn't winterized properly, it now has a cracked block and the oil is full of water and pushing up out of the engine.

 

[spartanpele]

Re: 2000 bayliner 4.3 merc cruiser

I agree with Don. Check the oil for water. Also check the plugs for water in the cylinders, etc. and inspect for any cracks on the manifold, riser, head or block.

 

[lateralaxis]

Re: 2000 bayliner 4.3 merc cruiser

is there a way these motors can build excessive crankcase pressure from flooding out or a possible backfire? i did ask about the oil and it would appear that it is still clear (clean)and no froth or milk. i suppose the best thing to do would be to just go look at it. thanx for the input

 

[Bondo]

Re: 2000 bayliner 4.3 merc cruiser

My 1st Guess would be that Don is Right.......<br /><br />My 2nd Guess is that Your Friend with the Boat,........<br />Isn't as much a Mechanic as You,+ I are........<br /><br />I see a 2 hour drive to Find Out..........<br /><br />The motors are vented thru a couple of open elbows mounted in the valve covers, with tubes going up to the flame arrester.....<br />Without a Hole in a Piston,.... Crankcase Pressure Usually Isn't a Problem,.........<br />Unless the Base is Full of Water...........<br /><br />Was there any Mention of What the Gauges were Doing while this Happened,..???....

 

[lateralaxis]

Re: 2000 bayliner 4.3 merc cruiser

well, there was indeed water in there......approx 25 litres (7 gal) worth, no joke. <br />when i pulled the cover it looked as if a 15 gallon chocolate milkshake had been dumped over the top. i removed the flame arrester and could see the water level just below the throttle body, then thought to myself, how on earth did this thing stay running long enough to entirely fill the motor to the top?<br /><br />i removed both manifolds (bellows?), which i think weigh as much as the boat itself, to find a normal looking inside with no oil froth in there or the exhaust ports.<br /><br />removal of the plugs indicated water, but only the #4 cylinder was flooded to any extent. most of the water blown out i believe was forced from the bottom.<br /><br />after assembly, fresh oil, new filter, clean plugs, and alot of cleaning, it fired right up. i shut it down after 15 sec. or so of a not so smooth idle and drained the oil. filled and fired it again and brought the rpms to around 2500 for 30 sec. and idled. smooth as could be. <br /><br />took it down to the launch and it drank 1.5 gallons of water in about 30 seconds if not less.<br />same thing, same cylinder wet the rest bone dry.<br /><br />block or head? in this case im not sure which is more probable. its a 4.3 vortec, but how much different is it than the automotive version? i dont see very many cars with cracked blocks from freezing, but this isnt a car and im not sure if the coolant journals are the same for the motor.<br />could a standard 4.3 vortec be swapped out with the valve train and ignition from the screwed one?

 

[Bondo]

Re: 2000 bayliner 4.3 merc cruiser

Just like Any SBC,..... They tend to Crack in the Lifter Valley......<br /><br />If your Bud buys a 4.3l Truck Long Block,+ Swaps over ALL the ancillary components to the New motor,......<br />No Need to swap the Valve train..... Just add Brass Core Plugs......<br /><br />He'll be Boating Again......

 

[Don S]

Re: 2000 bayliner 4.3 merc cruiser

after assembly, fresh oil, new filter, clean plugs, and alot of cleaning, it fired right up. i shut it down after 15 sec. or so of a not so smooth idle and drained the oil. filled and fired it again and brought the rpms to around 2500 for 30 sec. and idled. smooth as could be. <br /><br />took it down to the launch and it drank 1.5 gallons of water in about 30 seconds if not less.<br />same thing, same cylinder wet the rest bone dry.<br />

Just an FYI for future boat repairs.<br />From this discription, it sounds like you didn't hookup water to the outdrive when running on land. If you didn't, that's a No-No. While it won't hurt that engine, it does destroy the raw water pump impeller in the drive and will burn holes in those rubber exhaust hoses and destroy the flappers in the exhaust tube. <br />Water has to be hooked to ANY marine engine when running it out of the water.<br />Had you hooked up some muffs to the drive, it would have filled the engine up with water sitting on the trailer.

 

[lateralaxis]

Re: 2000 bayliner 4.3 merc cruiser

Thanx for the FYI, Don. I have a set of muffs now. i knew that it would get hot quick but was unaware of impeller or seal damage.<br /><br />Well, the motor showed up today. looks to be well built and assembled correctly. we ordered the engine from RapidO Marina in hollywood flordia.<br />So my next question is this: is there any specific information i'll be needing to do the swap? for example, is the coupler between the engine and outdrive fairly straight forward?<br />is there any type of alignment procedure of the outdrive after install? does the outdrive need to be supported?<br />Again, thanx for all the input, if theres anything I can do for you guys let me know.<br />Steve

 

[lateralaxis]

Re: 2000 bayliner 4.3 merc cruiser

alright, after a little research and reading it would appear that the only special tool i'll need is the alignment tool for the outdrive.<br />Can someone please post up a picture or dimensions for this tool? the local marina says 5 days and a salty price tag, my neighbor has a machine shop and wants to see a pic or the dimensions on it so maybe we could fab one.<br />thanks....<br />Steve

 

[Don S]

Re: 2000 bayliner 4.3 merc cruiser

 

[lateralaxis]

Re: 2000 bayliner 4.3 merc cruiser

excellent. thanks alot!<br />steve