4.3 Mercruiser block cracked

[jay1929]

Well, my adventure of being a "new" boat owner gets even better. I posted a week or two ago about my troubles. Come to find out, the block on the 4.3 mercruiser in my 08 boat is cracked and has been expoxyed like some I don't know what. I suspected this was the case after my mechanic found JB weld on the left exhaust manifold and telling me that the right manifold had also been changed out.

OK, I'm addressing the situation with an attorney. Gonna sue the guys @** off, whether I win or not may be another story. On to the decisions I have to make. The mechanic said that he obviously has to replace the left exhaust manifold (it's leaking water) and the block to get it back to "new." We discussed a reman block/engine and said he would guarantee it for a year, the same as a new one.

The mechanic is really working with me and isn't pressuring me either way. Actually, he said I could run it till I see that the epoxy isn't holding any more. I just don't want to risk it and want the boat summer ready by spring.

Questions:
Reman or new, pros/cons
Run till expoxy doesn't hold any more or get fixed now (no water in oil, yet)

 

[alldodge]

Re: 4.3 Mercruiser block cracked

Well, my adventure of being a "new" boat owner gets even better. I posted a week or two ago about my troubles. Come to find out, the block on the 4.3 mercruiser in my 08 boat is cracked and has been expoxyed like some I don't know what. I suspected this was the case after my mechanic found JB weld on the left exhaust manifold and telling me that the right manifold had also been changed out.

OK, I'm addressing the situation with an attorney. Gonna sue the guys @** off, whether I win or not may be another story. On to the decisions I have to make. The mechanic said that he obviously has to replace the left exhaust manifold (it's leaking water) and the block to get it back to "new." We discussed a reman block/engine and said he would guarantee it for a year, the same as a new one.

The mechanic is really working with me and isn't pressuring me either way. Actually, he said I could run it till I see that the epoxy isn't holding any more. I just don't want to risk it and want the boat summer ready by spring.

Questions:
Reman or new, pros/cons
Run till expoxy doesn't hold any more or get fixed now (no water in oil, yet)

My suggestion is if you can not do it yourself then have your mechanic do it. I don't see the 1-year guarantee as a big one, if the engine makes it during summer season it will last. You can get a full base engine (long block including heads) for about 2K, short block for less, not counting install.

 

[Lyle29464]

Re: 4.3 Mercruiser block cracked

I think what he is saying is the manifold may leak but it will not cause big problems. An external leak is just annoying unless you get a buildup of water that causes other problems. ( once it hits the bottom of your flywheel it causes all sorts of trouble. He is trying to save you money or not kill the job with big bucks all at once. I would replace both manifolds and have it over plus that will not screw up you court case with a incomplete damage claim.

 

[zbnutcase]

Re: 4.3 Mercruiser block cracked

Need to pull the intake manifold off and look for cracks, as they often break there before there is any external damage. Did you have a mechanical inspection done before you bought it???

 

[Bondo]

Re: 4.3 Mercruiser block cracked

Actually, he said I could run it till I see that the epoxy isn't holding any more.

Ayuh,... As long as it's External cracks, 'n Not putting water into the Oil,...

I'd run it til 'ell freezes solid...

 

[Bluestream]

Re: 4.3 Mercruiser block cracked

Unless the seller specifically said the engine had no cracks, I don't think you have much of a case. You buy used, you buy "as is" The Lawyer will do well though...

 

[jmarty10]

Re: 4.3 Mercruiser block cracked

My first boat had an external cracked block that leaked in an area that didnt cause any problems. I used it for two years and probably put on 80 hours without any issues. My mechanic told me hes seen cracked blocks (external) hold up for years. You have to be lucky though. Does the boat run good now with the crack? My boat was 20 years old with a crack, its a shame a 2008 is cracked already. Btw - there is a thread on here with about 800 posts from a guy who sold a boat and the buyer sued him becasue the buyer claimed he sold the boat with engine damage. The seller won.

 

[choochooharley]

Re: 4.3 Mercruiser block cracked

Unless the seller specifically said the engine had no cracks, I don't think you have much of a case. You buy used, you buy "as is" The Lawyer will do well though...

Very true and we dont need antoher 45 page thread on the court battle.....

 

[ezmobee]

Re: 4.3 Mercruiser block cracked

Btw - there is a thread on here with about 800 posts from a guy who sold a boat and the buyer sued him because the buyer claimed he sold the boat with engine damage. The seller won.

Actually the seller sorta "lost" (weird verdict) and appealed it. Won the appeal only cuz the buyer didn't show. Not exactly a telling scenario.

 

[Jeepster04]

Re: 4.3 Mercruiser block cracked

Actually the seller sorta "lost" (weird verdict) and appealed it. Won the appeal only cuz the buyer didn't show. Not exactly a telling scenario.

Pretty sure they had another case since their house burnt down or something. In the end it was fair and the judge ruled in his favor.

 

[90stingray]

Re: 4.3 Mercruiser block cracked

Ayuh,... As long as it's External cracks, 'n Not putting water into the Oil,...

I'd run it til 'ell freezes solid...

I would do just the same. Maybe make sure your bulge pump works good

 

[jay1929]

Re: 4.3 Mercruiser block cracked

Thanks guys for the responses. Why can't people just do the right thing? Guess I was just raised different. Attorney won't cost me if you follow what I'm leading to, just some time. We did take off intake manifold and found epoxy patching between the middle topside. Wish me luck.

 

[NHGuy]

Re: 4.3 Mercruiser block cracked

If the legal stuff doesn't overwhelm your wallet fine, but any money you spend could go into getting the motor shipshape. Might be the move unless you find precedent in your research.
I don't like the idea of JB'ing the exhaust manifolds, but the intake manifold will work fine if done properly. Was it just the block and intake that were epoxied?
If so just run it locally and keep checking the oil for the root beer consistency that happens if water gets in the oil.
If you go out in the ocean or Great Lakes you probably need to change the cracked parts. But if you are an inland boater just run it.

 

[90stingray]

Re: 4.3 Mercruiser block cracked

Thanks guys for the responses. Why can't people just do the right thing? Guess I was just raised different. Attorney won't cost me if you follow what I'm leading to, just some time. We did take off intake manifold and found epoxy patching between the middle topside. Wish me luck.

If it has jb weld under the intake on the block... that guy is a snake. That sucks that he would pull one over on you. Try the legal route. You never know. Maybe next time he will think twice before trying to sell something like that.

 

[Alpheus]

Re: 4.3 Mercruiser block cracked

Just get a replacement engine from Rapido Marine and go boating. Its easier than suing someone and losing sleep over. Once your out on the water with your family and the wind blowing through your hair, your troubles will melt away. Its all part of being a boat owner. On a positive note, at least you will know what to look for next time when buying another boat. Good luck...

 

[StorminNormin]

Re: 4.3 Mercruiser block cracked

Once your out on the water with your family and the wind blowing through your hair, your troubles will melt away...

Assuming you have any hair, I agree...

 

[Alpheus]

Re: 4.3 Mercruiser block cracked

Well thats the thing about the word "hair" it can be used as singular and or plural with the same spelling. So even if he has even at least one hair we're all good...:redface:

 

[Utahboatnut]

Re: 4.3 Mercruiser block cracked

Just was curious if you had the boat checked out by a marine mechanic, and water tested it before you purchased? If not thats how these dirt bags continue to get away with stuff like this.

 

[jay1929]

Re: 4.3 Mercruiser block cracked

No, unfortunately I didn't have the boat inspected. I know, very naive of me and will cost me dearly. Someone said it right, I will know next time. Just an expensive lesson to learn. I'm gonna send him a letter from the attorney's office and just see how he responds. We'll go from there.

Clarification: the block is cracked externally. No water in oil, yet. I'm not going to add to my (or my wife's) frustration by running it on a prayer. Mechanic is getting a new block and is going to do the work for me. I'm not mechanically inclined enough to do it right.

Scumbag doesn't describe this guy. Again, I couldn't sleep at night knowing I did that to someone else. That's partly what's wrong with our country. If people would just do the right thing we would be much better off. Thanks again for all the responses. I'm sure I'm not the first person this has ever happened to but I want to make sure others learn from my mistake. A $200 inspection would have save me thousands.

 

[jay1929]

Re: 4.3 Mercruiser block cracked

Oh, I did water test the boat and it ran great. No problems whatsoever. The only thing my eyes should have seen was the JB weld on the exhaust manifold. That should have been the first clue for me to have it checked out. Just didn't............????