3.0 Merc Taking in Water - Freeze Plugs

[shocked99@hotmail.com]

1991 Bayliner Capri (175?)<br />3.0 Mercruiser I/O Alpha One<br /><br />I have acquired a neglected boat. Here's the story. Last year the previous owner took it out and immediately water was coming into the engine compartment, so she went home. It sat for it's second winter without being winterized. Then I came to the rescue.<br /><br />The starter wouldn't spin, so I removed the starter only to find a freeze plug in the flywheel. I took the boat to a marine mechanic to have him replace this freeze plug and any other freeze plugs. Long story, but basically he has been AWFUL. I'm probably taking him to court.<br /><br />I get the boat home, stick a new starter in it, and it fires up. I then attach the garden hose to the outdrive and fire up again. To my dismay, there is still water coming in (this was the first time I've ever actually seen the original problem). The water is coming in between where the motor and the outdrive attach (like where a transmission would attach in a car).<br /><br />Does this mean that the freeze plugs were not installed properly? Or is there another likely problem (outdrive maybe?)? I thought if the block was cracked it would come out in all kinds of crazy places and/or be in the oil (the oil looks great).<br /><br />I really know nothing about boats. I work on my own cars. In other words, I know nothing about the outdrive unit on my boat, and I'm not accustomed to diagnosing water problems.<br /><br />Thanks for any help guys and gals.<br />Eric

 

[DJ]

Re: 3.0 Merc Taking in Water - Freeze Plugs

Eric,<br /><br />Your thinking is correct. More than likely a bad plug, or a crack.<br /><br />The only way to tell is pull the engine and have a look.

 

[loadnet]

Re: 3.0 Merc Taking in Water - Freeze Plugs

I have to ask ya to be as specific as you can about where you are seeing the water come in..<br /><br />On the back of your engine is a bell housing correct?<br /><br />Is the leak coming from the bell housing such as if one of the plugs were not installed correctly the leak could be appearing from that location? <br /><br />ORRRRRR<br /><br />Is the leak coming out of the unit that is bolted to your transom called the Gimbal Housing.<br /><br />Like when you look down behind the engine inside the boat where do you see the water coming from.. exactly.<br /><br />The Outdrive connects to the gimbal housing outside on the rear of the boat.<br /><br />PB

 

[flashback]

Re: 3.0 Merc Taking in Water - Freeze Plugs

if the mechanic in question had replaced the rear freeze plug he would have had to pull the engine to do so.......any cracks in the block should have been evident at that time.....any engine that has suffered freeze damage could have leaks ANYWHERE......... is there water in the oil?

 

[robertrall]

Re: 3.0 Merc Taking in Water - Freeze Plugs

If he did not pull the engine there is no way the rear plug where replaced. I've seen this many times, I'd bet it's comming from the rear plug.<br />Rob

 

[shocked99@hotmail.com]

Re: 3.0 Merc Taking in Water - Freeze Plugs

So... I took the boat into the Bayliner dealer. They say the rear freeze plug is out and that they suspect that the engine is not cracked but they can't be sure until they get it out.<br /><br />They've gave me a labor estimate of 7.5-9.5 hours (@$73/hr). Should I bother getting this thing fixed? I have no way to pull the engine myself.<br /><br />I'm also afraid that some things could be wrong with the outdrive that I haven't come across yet. What kind of problems could I be likely to run into back there?<br /><br />Thanks<br />

 

[DJ]

Re: 3.0 Merc Taking in Water - Freeze Plugs

shocked99@hotmail.com.<br /><br />The labor sound reasonable. Really, at this point, you have no choice.<br /><br />Once the engine is out, you will know your options. Repalacement engines can be had for a reasonable price, if that is what is needed.<br /><br />There is no sense in paying the labor twice.<br /><br />As far as the outdrive goes, if the fluid looks reasonably OK, the outdrive is probably OK.

 

[Walt T]

Re: 3.0 Merc Taking in Water - Freeze Plugs

Check your oil. If there is water in the oil get a long block. I would be very suprised if that engine is not cracked.

 

[shocked99@hotmail.com]

Re: 3.0 Merc Taking in Water - Freeze Plugs

The dealer pulled the engine and determined the block was cracked. They recommended having it repaired so we did. The boat is not back together yet. The tech working on it is now on disability so they are telling me 3 more weeks to get someone else to finish the job. <br /><br />They also are replacing the gimbel bearing and a flapper.<br /><br />I'll let you know the final price when it's all done just for reference.

 

[DHPMARINE]

Re: 3.0 Merc Taking in Water - Freeze Plugs

Just a bit curious.Someone worked on your engine,then you took it home,put in a new starter,and saw the leak?<br />DHP