I killed my engine...is there ANYTHING I can do?

[ZmOz]

Re: I killed my engine...is there ANYTHING I can do?

Yes, the main tank was completely empty before I filled it...the day before we ran out of gas waiting to use the dock to get out. I was using cheap penzoil from k-mart.

 

[ZmOz]

Re: I killed my engine...is there ANYTHING I can do?

Today it was finally nice outside so I had a chance to take my motor apart a little bit. I removed the...ummm...things on the side of the top 4 pistons, (what is that called?) didn't open the last one because it looks like it would be alot of work. <br /><br />Anyway...<br /><br />3 of the pistons look great...almost like new. There is a very small scratch on two of them...but nothing that would cause any problems. The number 3 piston, however, looks pretty bad. Here is a picture: http://zmoz.us/piston.JPG (it's large so you can see the details) If you look close at the middle ring, you can see it looks fine towards the top of the picture....but at the bottom it disappears. What the heck????!<br /><br />I was turning over the engine by hand with the rope, and it was quite hard for me to do. When I took out the spark plugs, however, it was extremely easy for me to turn the flywheel by hand without a rope. I know I need to do a compression test, haven't got a tester yet, but, it still seems to me that the compression somehow has gone up? Doesn't it????

 

[andrewkafp]

Re: I killed my engine...is there ANYTHING I can do?

"Hard to turn over by rope" 6 cyl inline sounds normal. Plugs out, meaning no compression should be easy to turn over. Everything is low friction and lubricated.<br />Sounds like it's not dead, and you are stuck with that '72 for a while...<br />Unless you wanna ship it Downunder , where I have a perfect place for it...

 

[ZmOz]

Re: I killed my engine...is there ANYTHING I can do?

I know it's allways suppost to be hard to turn over...I don't even know why they include the **** rope. But I think it's harder than it was before "the incident", and it is really really easy to pull without the plugs, so the only thing making it hard to turn is compression...right? Remember, it also turns over slow with the electric starter - so it must be harder to turn than usual.<br /><br />Do you think it would be a bad idea to remove the plug only from the 3rd cylinder and try to start it?

 

[Gold Bear]

Re: I killed my engine...is there ANYTHING I can do?

ZmOz <br /><br />Judging by the photo you have a problem at the number three piston. I would not turn that engine over any more except to do a compression test - paying special attention to that number three piston.<br /><br />I fully expect you will find the compression low on the number three piston. Bad enough to require repair.<br /><br />I have read other discussions that for various reasons the number three piston on these engines operates the leanest. In line with that discussion, some people recommend jetting the center carb a bit richer to help improve that trend (to be lean). However, many engines run a long time jetted just as they are, and your's was fine (until you forgot the oil!)<br /><br />If you want a second opinion, post this thread over at Scream&Fly.com. There are several guys over there with a lot of years of experience with I6's.<br /><br />Good Luck, <br /><br />Gold Bear

 

[The Marine Doctor]

Re: I killed my engine...is there ANYTHING I can do?

Z<br /><br />Don't even bother with a compression test. Just tear it down and see what you need to replace.<br /><br />You will not have added compression with a piston like that. The reason it is harder to turn over is because the piston is scraping against the cyl wall.<br /><br />Stop using it before you do even more damage.<br /><br />TMD

 

[NEECAPRS]

Re: I killed my engine...is there ANYTHING I can do?

ZMOZ: The reason they put in the **** rope is that it will let you start the motor with a run- down battery on three pulls--assuming you have enough gas and oil in the boat, enough water out of the boat and under the boat, and the presence of mind to pull it all together at the same time!!

 

[ZmOz]

Re: I killed my engine...is there ANYTHING I can do?

Yeah, I know it's meant to start your engine when the battery is dead, but it's not going to. There is no way in hell your average person can turn this thing over fast enough to start it with a 3 foot long rope...and if it's cold...the winner of one of those strong man competitions couldn't even think about starting it.

 

[NEECAPRS]

Re: I killed my engine...is there ANYTHING I can do?

Z; You'd be surprised, I was! It doesn't feel like it's turning over fast enough, even with both hands and one foot. But, after two pulls watch out! The greatest hazard is when it does start: What's to keep you from going over the bow. At least the recoils used to have a limit!<br />Anyway, all that is with a motor that hasn't been "fused" together like yours was.

 

[ZmOz]

Re: I killed my engine...is there ANYTHING I can do?

I don't know...I tried before I killed it and it still wasn't close to starting. I'm no wimp either...I decided it was just a better idea to carry one of those jump start batteries.

 

[rodbolt]

Re: I killed my engine...is there ANYTHING I can do?

Hello<br /> You may wish to tear down and inspect the crank and rod bearings. if this was not a saltwater motor they go a long long time.if you do not have the equipment to tackle it then you can strip the power head and send it out. there are some places around here that I can reccommend. I sold most of my inline merc tools years ago. we dont have many left in this area.the ring compressors are very nice. without them its a lot of cursing and delicate us of some butter knives.and do not get your wife to help almost got a buddy divorced .if the crank and rods are ok then it will be a good time to bore all 6 holes and replace all the bearings and seals and it will be mechanically reconditioned.<br />it would just depend on if you really wish to change motors <br />good luck and keep posting

 

[ZmOz]

Re: I killed my engine...is there ANYTHING I can do?

Well, I think what I'm going to do is replace the whole outboard. Someone is offering me the entire 140hp outboard for $400...I thought it was just the powerhead before. He has even offered to help me install it. So I will probably replace it, then see how much needs to be done to the old one, and sell it for parts or rebuild it and sell it. Most likely it will just go for parts though...

 

[andrewkafp]

Re: I killed my engine...is there ANYTHING I can do?

ZmOZ<br /><br />And this time...<br />We are going to have more patience at the ramp..<br />Aren't we ??

 

[JasonJ]

Re: I killed my engine...is there ANYTHING I can do?

Wish I lived near you, I'd take that Merc off your hands and have it running in a weekend...wouldn't be the first time.

 

[ZmOz]

Re: I killed my engine...is there ANYTHING I can do?

As long as there aren't any stupid old men trying to get their 30 year old merc to start for the first time in two years on the dock only big enough for one boat while I wait in the truck with the engine running obviously waiting for their spot...