Here's one for ya.

[Fireman Doug]

I am the new guy who bought the craigslist boat for real cheap, 86 4 Winns 170 Horizon, 4cyl Iron Duke merc I/O. I know, Its okay. YES, I am a little slow, and I am not rich, but I knew I was getting into it. Anyway, To the seller. The trim pump is actually fine, the lines were rubbed/melted almost in two by the exhaust pipe, That is why you had to put oil in it all the time. Also that metal thingy laying in the Bilge is a "Core plug". The oil was from the trim pump, not the engine block. New battery terminals took care of the " It wont start right". I will probably have to move the Engine forward to replace the rear core plug. It only leaks around the starter when you first start it up though, (anyone heard of this??) not sure why, but probably needs replaced anyway. Other than that, ITS GREAT!! Thanks for listening, happy to be here.

 

[bajaunderground]

Welcome FIreman Doug...if there are casting plugs in the bilge, it had a freeze up. The casting plugs are often called "freeze plugs" because they will often pop out when subjected to weather that can freeze during winter following an improper/non-winterized block. If there is no water in the engine oil, then you may have lucked out and need to re-install the casting plug.

As far as oil leaking in the rear only when starting up??? No idea on that one? You'll more than likely need to pull drive, pull motor and investigate where the oil is coming from? If there's enough room you might get away with inspecting with mirrors and lights? I'm guessing, if you're leaking engine oil, you're going to have to pull all the above anyway to correct/repair?

Posting pictures is a great way for us to understand what you're looking at!

Happy Boating!

~Brett

 

[Fireman Doug]

Thanks Baja. Engine oil if fine, It is water that is leaking around the Starter when you first fire it up... but then it stops. Very strange to me. I am sure It had poor or no winterization, Here in Ohio, that is bad. I replaced the side plug but suspect the rear plug is maybe partially out? Pictures later, thanks again.

 

[Fireman Doug]

Tried to upload a video but it didn't work, will post pictures later.

 

[Walt T]

Fireman Doug, Firefighter here, welcome to the jungle.

 

[Bondo]

Thanks Baja. Engine oil if fine, It is water that is leaking around the Starter when you first fire it up... but then it stops. Very strange to me. I am sure It had poor or no winterization, Here in Ohio, that is bad. I replaced the side plug but suspect the rear plug is maybe partially out? Pictures later, thanks again.

Ayuh,.... Welcome Aboard,.... I'd suspect the Impeller is shot too, as it oughta be gushin' water as long as it's runnin',...

 

[Fireman Doug]

Funny that, Bondo, It leaks more when the starter is engaged and then just a trickle during operation. I mean like barely a drop here and there. Doesn't overheat and the oil is dark and gas/water free. Wonder how hard it is to slide the engine forward to inspect the back of the block? Build a wood cradle in the bilge to support the engine, unbolt it at the floor and bell-housing, exhaust, fuel and battery? Any ideas or insight for me? Whaddaya think?

 

[Bondo]

Funny that, Bondo, It leaks more when the starter is engaged and then just a trickle during operation. I mean like barely a drop here and there. Doesn't overheat and the oil is dark and gas/water free. Wonder how hard it is to slide the engine forward to inspect the back of the block? Build a wood cradle in the bilge to support the engine, unbolt it at the floor and bell-housing, exhaust, fuel and battery? Any ideas or insight for me? Whaddaya think?

Ayuh,.... Pull the drive 1st, then the motor,... then the front, 'n rear motor mounts,... the 3.0l ain't too bad,...

 

[GaJeff]

The water leak at the starter is probably the starter mounts cracked on the block. It torques when starting and opens the cracks and closes when your done. You have 3 bolts that mount it. 2 that go straight up into the block ears, one long and one short. And a bracket bolt forward of the starter. If that bolt is loose or like most older things missing, you only have the 2 rear bolts taking the torque of the starter. I had this happen to mine, luckily it broke the starter housing and not the block ears. My forward bracket bolt was missing when i got the boat and the housing had already been busted. I found it during a coupler replacement Jeff