Help, water in cylinders....

[ctak]

I've got a '94 Bayliner Capri LS w/ 4.3LX Mercruiser.... Last weekend on the lake started up and ran out to start pulling the tubes and the motor wouldn't start... there was electrical smoke coming from the starter area. Got towed back in and pulled the starter... and took it in... they said the wire had burned through, and maybe there was excessive load from the engine. So I took out the spark plugs and rotated the engine and water came out of 2 cylinders 1 & 5 I think.. plus one spark plug on the other side seemed to have some water on it when I pulled it. I haven't replaced the manifolds or risers... could they cause this... or am I looking at a cracked or rusted through block..

Thanks,

 

[jerryjerry05]

Re: Help, water in cylinders....

More than likley a bad riser.You need to take that side off and check it.
Replace in pairs.The manifolds will be going too.They might work now but replace and no troubles.Jerry

 

[Limited-Time]

Re: Help, water in cylinders....

Was that saltwater?? And how long did it sit in the engine. The answer to those questions will be a good indication of weather or not you need a re-power.

 

[ctak]

Re: Help, water in cylinders....

I use it in salt about half the time.... probably out 15 - 20 times a year. I flush it w/ muffs after the salt... but I know it doesn't get it all out. When this happened it was in fresh water. It was happened last weekend, and after fiddling /w the starter it sat about 8 days.

 

[Limited-Time]

Re: Help, water in cylinders....

I use it in salt about half the time.... probably out 15 - 20 times a year. I flush it w/ muffs after the salt... but I know it doesn't get it all out. When this happened it was in fresh water. It was happened last weekend, and after fiddling /w the starter it sat about 8 days.

Are you saying the cylinders sat with water in them for eight days?? If so the damage may already be done.

 

[ctak]

Re: Help, water in cylinders....

Yea, I pulled the boat off the water and brought it home. Sat for a few days before I could get to the starter. Took it in and then reinstalled it, but today before engaging the starter I pulled the plugs and turned the engine and that's when I noticed water come out of the plug holes. I think it has been about 8 days since it stalled on the water.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Help, water in cylinders....

Ayuh,....

Get it Started,+ Running,..... Now.....

Then,.... Put New manifolds,+ riser on it......

 

[ctak]

Re: Help, water in cylinders....

I can go ahead and start it and run it without getting water back into the cylinders? I'll be doing this on the trailer w/ muffs. Is there anything special I should do before starting the motor?

 

[Maclin]

Re: Help, water in cylinders....

I think you need to start the engine without water and not worry about the impeller right now, but you will need to replace the impeller later. I believe you need to remove spark plugs first and squirt in some seafoam or PBblaster or something like those products and crank it with the plugs out. Then put the spark plugs back in and run it for a bit with no water. It needs to get running for a few minutes to get warm and purge the moisture from the cylinders and work the oil in and around the rings.

I want to say again that this will ruin the impeller but the engine will get what it needs right now, just plan on replacing the impeller after you get the new exhaust components installed.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Help, water in cylinders....

It needs to get running for a few minutes

Ayuh,...

Even 30 or 45 Seconds will be beneficial to the cylinders....

 

[ctak]

Re: Help, water in cylinders....

Thanks,

I pulled the plugs and sprayed some oil in the cylinders and hand cranked the engine 5 or 6 turns. I put some new plugs in and hooked up the muffs w/ water and started the engine. It took a little longer to get going but it finally fired up and idled nicely. I was thinking the exhaust would blow all the water out, but I guess I should run it without water to make sure the cylinders are dry...

 

[SeaRay Dan]

Re: Help, water in cylinders....

Also check the rubber boots and the Flappers on the Y Pipe

 

[Maclin]

Re: Help, water in cylinders....

You should not have had the muffs on the first time, that session was to try to clean up what happened when the water got in there from before. Whatever happend to get the water in there before all this could have happened again while you were running it and drained back into the cylinders and started your troubles all over again. If no water got in then you are lucky.

 

[ctak]

Re: Help, water in cylinders....

Thanks for the information. I just started the engine without water hooked up and ran it for 30 seconds then shiut it down. It started right up and ran smoothly. I guess my next move is to pull the manifolds and risers....

 

[Maclin]

Re: Help, water in cylinders....

Yup, lucky you!


I do wish you well on this.

 

[rather_be_boatin]

Re: Help, water in cylinders....

When I was getting H2O back into the engine through risers/manifolds, there was a tell-tale stream of rust right down the inside (exhaust side) of the exhaust manifolds right into the head, down to the vavle seat. You'll know right away when you remove the manifolds if they are bad. My motor lived (so far) but starboard head did not, about $1000 to get on the water this spring.