Bought a new (to me) boat thats not running. Question about the carbs condition?

[bingshmo]

1996 Mercruiser 4.3 lxh gen+

Got this new boat home today and took the breather off. The carb looks really bad in the venturi's. All kins of scale like white corrosion grease. Like its seen water in it. Boats been sitting and not running a long while.

Is this just from lots a humidity frequently building up in the engine compartment? Or did it get this way while running with some sort of water intrusion in the engine compartment?

 

[wire2]

Re: Bought a new (to me) boat thats not running. Question about the carbs condition?

If it had water going into the carb and sitting a long time, the motor is scrap metal.

Does it turn over with the starter? What do you mean by "corrosion grease"?
What's the oil look like on the dipstick?

 

[bingshmo]

Re: Bought a new (to me) boat thats not running. Question about the carbs condition?

Sorry I meant corrosion and grease. After looking at the boats engine hatch design, I noticed the hatch seem or joint, lies directly over top of the breather. It definitely isn't water tight. If that caused the engine to take on water through the carb. Then that is the biggest flaw on a boat design I have ever seen. Also if the boat motor took on water while stored in the rain how would that make it "scrap metal". It turns over fine. Worst case would be a rebuild.

 

[ziggy]

Re: Bought a new (to me) boat thats not running. Question about the carbs condition?

imho, run it and see what don't work to good about it. at the very least, white corrosion would lead me to think a carb rebuild or replacement would be in order, depending on how bad the corrosion is. but ya might as well run it and find out what issues there is.. assuming the white corrosion won't fall off the carb and introduce contaminates into the combustion chamber..

 

[wire2]

Re: Bought a new (to me) boat thats not running. Question about the carbs condition?

.... if the boat motor took on water while stored in the rain how would that make it "scrap metal". It turns over fine. Worst case would be a rebuild.

You hadn't mentioned that it turned over in your 1st post.

Any engine that gets a substantial volume of water (1-2 quarts or more) in the carb will sieze within a few days if left. There will always be some intake valves open, water will enter the combustion chamber, rust the rings to the cylinder walls.

True, It can be taken apart, the cylinders bored, pistons/rings replaced, valve job done but at what cost? Can get a new long block from GM Parts for $1300

 

[bingshmo]

Re: Bought a new (to me) boat thats not running. Question about the carbs condition?

This boat has taken on more then 2 - 3 quarts of water. In fact it was full to the top. It did sit with that water in it for a long time. Pumped out all water and oil. Flushed with deisel fuel a few times. I put some cheap oil and filter in/on it for when I get it running. It is not locked up and turns over just fine. Its a mess throughout with rustiness. I know it wont be perfect, but I would like to get it running the way it is and use it.

 

[wire2]

Re: Bought a new (to me) boat thats not running. Question about the carbs condition?

Well, ok, I'm impressed!
I expect whoever last ran it, may have poured some oil into the carb to winterize it. If that was the case, the water would not do damage nearly as fast.
There probably is some rust on the rings & cylinder walls, be prepared to see a bit of smoke (burning oil) when running it. Keep an eye on the dipstick. Good luck.