More problems with the 4.1L Mercruiser...

[HTownws6]

I took out my 1978 Sea Ray yesterday, and encountered some more problems. The main one that I am concerned about is that when I tried to go to a higher rpm (don't know what rpm because tach doesn't work), it fell on it's face and died. It ran fine up until this point. Then, it was start and run for awhile, then die again. We had the engine cover off once, and my buddy said that once when it was running, he saw water creeping up the pcv line and into the carburator. We think this may be the cause of it dying. But the question is, have you ever heard of this? What would likely be the cause?

The engine: inline 6, 250 cubic inch Mercruiser, year: 1978

 

[Eric 3.7LX Alpha 1]

Re: More problems with the 4.1L Mercruiser...

If you are referring to the rather small, somewhat clear line from the fuel pump to the carb having "stuff" in it, that means that the fuel pump is junk.

The diaphragm has ruptured and the fuel is routed inside the carb instead of in the bilge where the vapors might ignite.

 

[HTownws6]

Re: More problems with the 4.1L Mercruiser...

No, that's not the line I'm talking about. This line goes from the valve cover to the spark arrestor. I believe this line on a car functions as a PCV line. (Positive Crankcase Ventilation. Also, I just remembered that last week, when I tried to start it, not only would it not start, but it puked up water through the carb and out through the spark arrestor. Which explains why I always have a small puddle of water near the carburetor, and around the valve cover.

 

[Eric 3.7LX Alpha 1]

Re: More problems with the 4.1L Mercruiser...

Have you checked to see if there is any H2O in the tank? Do you have a fuel/water separator?

 

[HTownws6]

Re: More problems with the 4.1L Mercruiser...

I'll check that..

 

[HTownws6]

Re: More problems with the 4.1L Mercruiser...

I think I may have bigger problems though. I just recently repaired a crack in the block using JB weld. Now I am wondering if the crack is internal as well. The oil dipstick didn't really indicate water in the crank case.

 

[ziggy]

Re: More problems with the 4.1L Mercruiser...

read #22 from this link. http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=288430

the 2nd link in that thread saved my bacon. get the water out of the engine asap if there's to be any hope at all... fwiw. my water in the oil was caused by a rusted through manifold. the riser was right behind it i thought, and it got R&Red too.

 

[HTownws6]

Re: More problems with the 4.1L Mercruiser...

Hey, thanks a bunch.