4.3L Mercruiser leaking hot water into bilge

[lushka16]

I have an 88 Mercruiser that is leaking hot water into the bilge on the starboard side right above the starter. Specifically, it's leaking from some kind of L shaped spigot (?). The spigot thing has a male end that goes into the block just above what I believe is the oil pan, and has a female end that is tapped but nothing is screwed into it. <br /><br />Any ideas? Thank you!

 

[Don S]

Re: 4.3L Mercruiser leaking hot water into bilge

Any thing in this picture look familiar?<br /><br />

 

[lushka16]

Re: 4.3L Mercruiser leaking hot water into bilge

I don't think that's what it looks like, but I took some pictures: <br /><br />

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[Don S]

Re: 4.3L Mercruiser leaking hot water into bilge

Looks like nothing more than a 1/4" NPT, 45° street elbow. Just put a 1/4" bronze pipe plug in it. You will need to verify the open end is actually 1/4"NPT, impossible to tell from that picture. <br />My guess is the person that winterized the boat forgot to put the plug back in. Kind of hard to check when you can't run the engine to check for leaks.

 

[lushka16]

Re: 4.3L Mercruiser leaking hot water into bilge

Thanks Don, I appreciate it! I just bought the boat, and I have a sneaking suspicion the dealer is incompetent. I've noticed a slow leak into the bilge the last few days, I figured it was normal, and then today it all exploded. My feeling is that the plug was poorly placed, thus resulting in the snow leak and ultimately the huge leak. <br /><br />By the way, what would be the purpose of that NPT?

 

[uaw9fan]

Re: 4.3L Mercruiser leaking hot water into bilge

The plug has a tapered thread, so as you tighten it it seals more.

 

[Bondo]

Re: 4.3L Mercruiser leaking hot water into bilge

Ayuh,.....That's the Starboardside Block Drain,......<br />There's Another 1 Just like it on the Portside......<br /><br />Btw,......<br />The Hose Clamp has fallen out of place at the top of the Y-pipe......Ya better reposition it,+ Tighten that up as well..........<br />It Also looks like the Manifold/riser gasket Might be weeping,+ dripping on the Starter,.......That'll get to be a Problem Quickly........

 

[lushka16]

Re: 4.3L Mercruiser leaking hot water into bilge

Originally posted by Bondo:<br /> <br />It Also looks like the Manifold/riser gasket Might be weeping,+ dripping on the Starter,.......That'll get to be a Problem Quickly........

Thanks for the help! I'm not entirely sure what/where the manifold/riser gasket is, can you point it out for me?<br /><br />Edit: Actually, I think I see it. My engine is under warranty for 30 days, is that something I can get the dealer to fix, or do I have to wait for a failure?

 

[RubberFrog]

Re: 4.3L Mercruiser leaking hot water into bilge

That IS a failure. Take it back and make them correct it.

 

[Haut Medoc]

Re: 4.3L Mercruiser leaking hot water into bilge

YEP! ....JK<br />Edit: It probably will be easier to just tell them the part that is missing & get one from them or the local plumbing shop than to drag your boat down there...

 

[tommays]

Re: 4.3L Mercruiser leaking hot water into bilge

I dont what the 30 days covers but the leaking just YOUR red arrow "the rusty joint" causes a lot of problems if its not corrected<br /><br />AND the lose hose clamp that Bondo pointed out to the left of your red arrow is a big deal also<br /><br /><br />tommays

 

[Speedwagon]

Re: 4.3L Mercruiser leaking hot water into bilge

If it was my boat, and had a 30 day engine warranty, I'd just take it back to them and point out any problems. Tell them to fix it.<br /><br />"This is loose, this and this are leaking, etc, etc..."<br /><br />And if you think they are incompetent, then do an inspection before you leave with the boat after they "fix" everything. And make them start it up, to show it's not leaking anymore.<br /><br />There has to be someone in the service department that IS competant. And if they figure out they can't pull the wool over your eyes, they are more likely to have it done right this time.

 

[Bondo]

Re: 4.3L Mercruiser leaking hot water into bilge

Originally posted by lushka16:<br />

Originally posted by Bondo:<br /> <br />It Also looks like the Manifold/riser gasket Might be weeping,+ dripping on the Starter,.......That'll get to be a Problem Quickly........

Thanks for the help! I'm not entirely sure what/where the manifold/riser gasket is, can you point it out for me?<br /><br />Edit: Actually, I think I see it. My engine is under warranty for 30 days, is that something I can get the dealer to fix, or do I have to wait for a failure?

In your 1st picture,....<br />The Big Black Iron Thing,... Starting at the point of your Arrow,.....All the way UP to the Top is the Manifold, the lower piece,+ the Riser, or Elbow, the Top piece.....The 1 with the Little Hose coming out the Front, near the Top.....<br />Where they Meet,....Right there by that Square Hole that's full of Rust,..... That Shouldn't be Rusty,...... At ALL......<br />Waiting for a Failure will result in the Total Destruction of the Engine,..... Usually......<br /><br />Has this boat Ever lived in Saltwater,.???....

 

[Don S]

Re: 4.3L Mercruiser leaking hot water into bilge

Here you go Bondo, will this help?<br /><br />