frost plug/engine damage

[mikegrant]

I own a 1997 SeaRay 175BR with a 135 hp 3.5l Mercury I/O on it. It has quite low hours given all things. I have it professionally winterized annually....<br /><br />I just took it out for the first time this year after storing it all winter. I didn't bother to check the engine as I have in the past because I never found anything when I did. I put it in the water, started it up and burned off the fogging oil. I proceeded to drive off...(many boats were launching), however not too quickly because the engine wasn't up to temperature. Shortly thereafter I realized that the odd performance I was feeling wasn't due to first Spring running...we were taking on water...quickly and the engine was putting out a bit of smoke/steam. I didn't know it at the time, however one of the frost plugs was out. I had a boat full of kids and was heading toward shore and the engine was pushing out more steam/smoke. Once close to shore I killed the engine. I got a tow back to the landing and now am contemplating how to approach the service manager whose organization winterized the boat. I assume that all of the water wasn't drained in the fall.....<br /><br />Any speculation on how much engine damage if any was done? I saw quite a bit of blue smoke in addition to the steam....The water was nearly up to the alternator should I demand that the starter and alternator be replaced regardless?<br /><br />Any help/suggestions/thoughts are greatly appreciated!<br /><br />mboats

 

[KM2]

Re: frost plug/engine damage

From experience I know that your starter will not last much longer. It may start a few times but it will rust and then won't work. It needs to be cleaned or replaced.<br />Get it to the service dept asap. make sure you have a reciept from the winterization. I hope they take care of this for you. In the future get a set of muffs and start it up in the driveway once before you go out. Just to make sure.<br /><br />After the first winter, I got some instructions and started doing the winterization myself. It's not very hard. Nobody's going to care more or work as hard on my boat as me.

 

[Boatin Bob]

Re: frost plug/engine damage

Hopefully all you need for the engine is a new frost plug (starter/alternator) but as a side issue does the boat not have a bilge pump? If so then what about a float switch to make it automatic?

 

[mikegrant]

Re: frost plug/engine damage

I have a bilge pump...and your assumption is correct....not automatic.<br /><br />I am thinking of adding one with a float.<br /><br />I plan on purchasing a set of muffs...That way my cursing will occur in the privacy of my yard if it is required.

 

[cmyers_uk]

Re: frost plug/engine damage

I second KM2 do the winterisation yourself. Get a proper set of workshop manuals and enjoy doing it you will appreciate the boat all the more

 

[flashback]

Re: frost plug/engine damage

mboats, this could have very easily cost you a new engine,, I would approach the folks that supposedlly winterized it very cautiously, they can say you used the boat during the winter and failed to re-winterize it. so be careful while dealing with them........

 

[DHPMARINE]

Re: frost plug/engine damage

mboats Frost and freeze plugs do not exist on your motor.this is a small pet peeve of mine.They are core plugs,and are there to insert and remove sand when the engine block is made.Engines can freeze and crack,leaving these inplace.<br /> That said,the 3.0 GM block is the strongest one Mercruiser uses.But evidently things did go wrong and something happened over the winter,and I think you are correct.The dealer has an obligation to you.<br /> Do you think maybe you should share some of this?Water nearly up to the alternator is a very substantial amount.Some more and the boat may have gone down.<br />DHP

 

[Bondo]

Re: frost plug/engine damage

Is there Water in the Oil ????????<br /><br />The First Place that block Splits is the Inside Wall Behind the Core Plugs...........

 

[mikegrant]

Re: frost plug/engine damage

All:<br /><br />Thanks a lot for your responses!<br /><br />I do some engine maintenance on certain items, however I am not anxious to do the boat work.<br /><br />We use it approximately 20-30 hours a summer when we go on vacation for a week. I am not an overly avid boater and with 4 kids I have plenty to do without working on the boat.<br /><br />I appologize for the mistaken labeling of the core plugs. I have been educated several times about them since the incident. <br /><br />DHP Marine: I don't consider myself responsible in the least. The design of my engine compartment allowed the water to build up without my knowing for sure. I was stuck in the middle of a very deep lake with a boat full of kids and a wife who felt we were either going to sink or burn up. At the time I was most concerned with getting them to safety not so much with how much damage was being done to the boat. Not to mention I pay a couple of hundred bucks each Fall so I don't have to worry. <br /><br />Bondo: There was no indication of water in the oil. It looked just as clear as it does coming out of the bottle. No foam.<br /><br />So anyway I travelled to the folks that performed the service yesterday and spoke with their service people. They glanced at it and noticed that the block was cracked, however, they suspected that it was only on the outside, not on the inside.... <br /><br />They accepted that it was their responsibility, however they did question whether it saw water again after winterize in a very respectful manner. They offered to patch it (some special engine epoxy.) and have the alternator and the starter disassembled/cleaned/and lubricated. They also asked what would "make me happy". I said a new engine would. I could never sell the boat for what it is worth with a crack whether it is problem or not. To my surprise they said they would put in an engine for me. <br /><br />I am simply delighted and overwhelmed that I was so well taken care of. I haven't been to a service organization ever that had so much integrity.<br /><br />Thanks again for all your posts.

 

[salty87]

Re: frost plug/engine damage

wow, you are some kind of lucky and dealing with some very reputable folks.<br /><br />i do disagree with this stmt..."Not to mention I pay a couple of hundred bucks each Fall so I don't have to worry."...it's your life and that of your family, you should be worried. working on the boat yourself gives you the satisfaction and peace of mind knowing it was done correctly. a boat on the water is a very unforgiving place.<br /><br />enjoy the new engine

 

[DJ]

Re: frost plug/engine damage

mboats,<br /><br />Do not take the criticisms, of some of the members, to heart. They are only looking out for your best interests. Perhaps, for future outings, you may want to have someone, at the dealer perhaps, take you through what is on your engine and how it works. It may help you in the future. At least get a working knowledge of systems.<br /><br />Anyway, glad to hear that the dealer is standing behind you. I noticed they did not say "new" engine. I still think that is fair. You do not have a new boat. I would accept a remanufactured engine as a fair solution.

 

[mikegrant]

Re: frost plug/engine damage

I plan on completing a more indepth inspection of my boat prior to using it in the future. If I would have done so this time I would have spared all aboard of the excitment of the day at the very least. I am much more aware of just how unforgiving a sinking ship is on the water given my most recent incident. <br /><br />DJ,<br /><br />You are correct that the dealer offered a remanufactured motor. They probably would have gone all the way with a new Merc/GM, had a I pushed, but as you stated it is not a new boat and I agree with you that it would not be a fair to the dealer to spend even more than they will with the one I am getting. <br /><br />Oddly enough the remanufactured engine will have a 18 month warranty rather than the standard 12 month that Mercury gives.<br /><br />Any sage advice on break-in of the new motor?<br /><br />mboats

 

[mikegrant]

Re: frost plug/engine damage

My saga continues....<br /><br />Turns out the rebuilder was out of 3.0l engines.....The dealer didn't waste any time and ordered up a new Merc from Mercury.<br /><br />Any recommendations on engine breakin periods?<br /><br />I assume that non-synthetic oil is the way to go for the first few changes? <br /><br />Thanks for your help!