Merc 120 dead in the water

Joined
Jun 29, 2008
Messages
19
Well the day started off right. Took out my 1979 Imperial with Merc 120 I/O out to jobbie Nooner on Lake St. Clair. The motor was fresh from the mechanic with a tune up and fresh fluids (oil and outdrive fluid). We took the 15 mile trip out there at about 30 mph in heavy chop and beat ourselves up a bit but the motor was a champ.
The boat sat near the beach for 8 or so hours untill we were ready to leave. We fired it right up and hauled butt back to shore. Twenty minuets into the trip the motor seemed to be bogging down and our captian throttled down so we could get a listen to the motor. The motor then stalled and when we went to restart it we could not get it to crank over.
We got a tow from some real nice Canadians in a huge boat to get back to the fuel dock in St. Clair Shores. It was late so we left the boat there and went home for the night.
The next morning we took a fresh battery and jumper cables just in case and tried to turn it over. The starter clicked but nothing. I removed the doghouse to find the billage full of water up a little past the oil pan. I drained that out and tried to tap the started with the handle of a hammer while cranking. Nothing. Tried to turn the motor over buy hand (with a wrench on the crank pully) Not budging.
Cost me a case of beer to get some locals to tow us to the boat launch and we got the boat on the trailer and back home.
Where to go now??????
 

maxxman04

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Mar 30, 2009
Messages
352
Re: Merc 120 dead in the water

pull the plugs, check for water in cylinders, check oil as well for water in oil. oil will be milky, with a whitish tint, or look like chocolate milk, if there is in fact water. there are other possibilities, but these are a couple basics to check.
 
Joined
Jun 29, 2008
Messages
19
Re: Merc 120 dead in the water

I checked the oil. It was fine. Good level, no milk. Will pull plugs later today and see whats up.
 
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