Mercruiser 350 coolant in cylinders and sump

anglosax

Seaman Apprentice
Joined
May 1, 2010
Messages
33
I have a 32 ft searay with twin 350 mercruiser close cooling . ;Last run @ 3000 rpm engine overheated and slowly lost power. Shut down and allowed to cool. After 1 hour wouldnt start , hydraulic lock in cylinders .
On tear down , removed plugs and found coolant in cylinders 6,7,8. ie both banks and lowest on the block. Removed intake manifold and found coolant in the pushrod gallery and in the sump pan [ elevated oil level ] heat exchanger empty of coolant but engine is not seized.
On inspection of intake manifold I cannot see any cracks in coolant chamber, but there is a sheet metal cover over the center section riveted in place , that I cannot inspect. Is there an easy way to pressure test the intake manifold before I replace?
Other suspicion is from exhaust manifold but both banks at same time seems unlikely
IF intake manifold gasket leaked , can coolant get onto cylinders?
If exhaust manifold leaked can coolant get to pushrod gallery ?
I cannot make these pieces fit - HELP
 

GA_Boater

Honorary Moderator Emeritus
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May 24, 2011
Messages
49,038
The motor serial number could help the Mercruiser guys ID possible problems.
 

Bt Doctur

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Aug 29, 2004
Messages
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;Last run @ 3000 rpm engine overheated and slowly lost power

So, you still ran the motor with an overheat condition untill it lost power? Pull the heads and you will find blown head gaskets. Take heads to shop to see if warped.Coolant is only present in the 2 foward ports and under the therm
 
Last edited:

anglosax

Seaman Apprentice
Joined
May 1, 2010
Messages
33
Thanks for your input. I get that major overheat will blow head gaskets but how does all the coolant get to the sump with blown head gaskets ??
And Both at same time??
and what caused coolant loss and overheat in first place ???
 

Bt Doctur

Supreme Mariner
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Aug 29, 2004
Messages
19,345
ok, the raw water pump supplies cooling water to the heat exchanger and leaves the HX and goes to the elbows and out the exaust.losing the impeller allows the motor to run hot. Too hot and you warp the heads and blow the gaskets. mud, sand, plastic, seaweed, barnacles, etc. anything to clog the water inlets.
being the HX is usually higher than the motor , fluid falls down hill into the motor.
 

Bt Doctur

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Aug 29, 2004
Messages
19,345
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