Another Mercruiser 165 bites the dust

H@ystack

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
Apr 5, 2015
Messages
101
Before you pull the head go to Amazon and get a $27.00 borescope and shove it down the spark plug hole and see what's up. If there is severe damage you can find out immediately. I just bought one and it's the best $27.00 I have spent in a long time. I'd post the link but I think it's against the rules.

thanks for that suggestion.

Nola Mike, you're thinking like I started thinking.......why worry about cost, if I'm going to have to pay anyway. It's worth a shot..........but

Here is my only hang up, and why I'm still considering an experienced mechanic.....I have an 11 year old and his friends come out with us quite a bit. If it was just me and the boy, I'd be ok with it. Having other parents' kids with us, I get overly concerned that I didn't do the job right. So, let's say I feel like I did ok, but really, I did not.

I have been talking with my guy and he seems to think it's the cylinder head on number 4. He said to pull it, and if all goes well, the repair should be about $1500 to $1600. If I do go that route, does that sound about right. That would include head gasket and all that.
 

smokeonthewater

Fleet Admiral
Joined
Dec 3, 2009
Messages
9,838
Sounds like WAY too much to me... Head off and on 3-5 hrs labor... Machine shop $100-200... Parts $50- $200

Do it yourself. It AIN'T that bad... Then go run it HARD for several days by yourself to ease your mind that you did I right before taking the kids out.
 

nola mike

Vice Admiral
Joined
Apr 22, 2009
Messages
5,410
It really isn't hard. Especially if you pull the head, you really can't screw that up. Worst case, pay someone to put it back on, and you save a few bucks. Seriously, at the very least:
1) Remove plugs
2) Remove valve cover. You might see something obvious (broken spring, bent valve).
3) Turn engine over. Look to see that the valves on #4 are opening/closing.
4) Pull the head. At this point, the cause will probably be clear.
And yeah, kevin's right. That's way too much for the job. More reason to at least start the diagnostics yourself.
 

H@ystack

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
Apr 5, 2015
Messages
101
Thanks for sticking with me fellas......I'll see how it looks after I get it home. It will be like most projects....I have a new floor down months ago, but the base boards still sitting waiting to be cut. I have a fence that took months to get up and then finally the gate. I got a ripped down kitchen ceiling for new lighting......old lights, no ceiling still. HAHA!!

I'm going to pick this thing up though, and do some research noting all of your recommendations. Thanks y'all. Be back soon, I'm sure. :)
 

H@ystack

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
Apr 5, 2015
Messages
101
I wasn't sure if the moderators here preferred a new thread but since a slight change in subject only, i figured I'd pick up where i left off.

After getting nowhere months ago on my own, my father in law recommended a friend of his. He restores cars and knows this engine well. Just happens his neighbor is also a boat guy. They were willing to take a look. Long story, short; they took it apart, changed a rod, fixed gaskets, cleaned up scorching, etc. He rebuilt my carb and i got a new fuel pump. It seemed ready to go and has been running well on a flush kit to be safe. I did one quick 10 minute run with no family on board to be safer.

Went out today and here is part of the email i sent the guy. Any thoughts on this issue?


"We "may" have another issue. Not sure if it needs to go in the shop again?

Today we ran it. Did well. Ran at a decent bit of rpms. Stops and starts. Ran slow, no wake speed. Went wide open here and there. After about 2.5 hours we were cruising at good throttle, probably 3000 to 4000 rpms. Suddenly it was almost as if I let off the throttle and it cut off. There was a bit of smoke coming from the flame arrestor. The gauge did not show any overheating at all.

I took the hose off the flame arrestor that leads to the engine block. The small amount of smoke was coming from the hole in the engine block.

It eventually let up. I started the boat and slowly went to the dock. We arrived in about 10 minutes and no more smoke. Since we were close by and plenty of boaters we decided to run it hard.

30 minutes of running about 4000 rpms. Not a single sign of smoke or the same problem.

Would blow-by symptoms be constant?

I was hoping this is just old, non marine gas that sat for 6 months.

Seems we still had good power but not sure if that means much."
 
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GA_Boater

Honorary Moderator Emeritus
Joined
May 24, 2011
Messages
49,038
Haystack - This is your thread and you can post anytime with no time limits.

It sure sounds like she got hot. Did you happen to feel the exhaust manifold or riser?
 

H@ystack

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
Apr 5, 2015
Messages
101
Haystack - This is your thread and you can post anytime with no time limits.

It sure sounds like she got hot. Did you happen to feel the exhaust manifold or riser?

It was hot to touch but not searing hot. I overheated this thing twice and it was no where near the kind of smoke we those 2 times. It was Kinda like a cigarette smoldering in an ash tray. Maybe my impeller is on its way out....... Again?

The smoke disappeared within minutes and we ran the bejesus out of it again with no issue. My temp gauge nev er broke 140.
 
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