Re: 4.3 alpha manual says 3 blue drain plugs but there are 5. Cracked Block.
BJ, thanks in advance.
Heres what i got. 4.3 alpha 1.7r s/n ow624400, now heres the story.
I bought the boat new in July of 06, used it for the remainder of the season and in Sept. I winterized it according to the manual. Three point manual drain system, boat out of the water. In spring i summerized with muffs and found a casting plug had came out. Had it put back in and engine inspected for damage, no damage, wrote it off as a fluke. Merc paid to have the work done. This past year, winterized again, very very carefully, poked wire in the drain holes, blew compressed air in them as well, removed cooling hoses, and blew air, drove the boat home from the lake with everything opened up for over an hour. Did the rest of the winterization stuff, parked it till this spring where i found during summerization, 2 casting plugs missing. Paid to have them put back in and engine looked over good, no freeze damage, no water at all, anywhere. After a day on the lake, i notice oil in the bilge. Temp never got over 170, always good oil pressure. When i got the boat home cleared out oil from bilge, drained some from engine to see if its milky or any water, none at all. no milkshake on dipstick. but there is a pretty good oil leak. I am baffled. I assume its due to the freezing that may have taken place. My manual has 2 different types of drain techniques. 3 point manual and single point air actuated. The 3 point system mentions 3 blue plugs, my boat has 5 i now know. I am assuming thats what is causing my probs, not knowing that prior and leaving 2 in during the drain process. The manuals have been changed this year to include a new multi point drain system, that mentions all 5 plugs. My dealer knew about the manuals error. But still charged $315, to put in the new plugs which i am arguing to merc about and it sounds like they are going to pay again this year. Any way, a new block might be a little more work to get them to cough up. I do have a couple other folks in the same boat who i am corroborating with as to make more noise. Its amazing what a nice letter to investor relations can do. Back on to the point at hand. I am not sure where the oil is coming from, i assume its from freeze. But i dont know. It may have been overfilled, dealers make those mistakes, but i dont know they never changed the oil, only put in 2 casting plugs this year. . It starts dripping when it gets up to temp and is a real consistent drip, that looks like it is towards the front of the engine, its really hard to say though, i can only see where it is leaving the bottom of the block for the bilge. This is my first boat, i went out on a limb to get it, know i am afraid i need a new engine which is just totally outta my income range, its getting hot and my wife and kids are wondering why we arent going to the lake in our nice new boat. I appreciate all the help and knowledge you can give. Thanks again.
