Need help confirming what mechanic told me about my 88 50 HP(water jacket)

[The Wright Stuff]

I posted my problem before that I had water leaking out out the top spark plug hole. Well I was told it was a water jacket problem and not a big deal to change the gasket. I had taken it to a local marine mechanic and just talked to them today.<br /><br />They said that it was a water jacket leak. BUT, they said they couldnt get all the bolts out to fix it as two appear that they will break if they try to remove them. They said if that happens it would be expensive to fix it, so they tried just using silicone to seal the leak but it didnt help. <br /><br />He said that it can stay leaking and it will not hurt a thing besides leaving it a little wet under there. Does this sound right? That a leaking water jacket that leaks water out of the spark plug hole can be left leaking and not cause any problems? The guy I bought it from(no, he's not a mechanic) said that I should have it fixed before running it under load or it could damage the engine. Any help is appreciated.<br /><br />Oh, I dont think the mechanic is trying to scam me as I told him to change the water pump as well but he said he checked it and it was fine so he left it alone to save me the money.

 

[Vlad D Impeller]

Re: Need help confirming what mechanic told me about my 88 50 HP(water jacket)

I think that the guy who you bought the boat from is correct, I'd find another tech,it seems to me that the one who told you that it'll be alright,is not capable on the older motors and does not want to do the job. <br />If the water pump was not serviced within the last two years, make sure it gets done.<br />I hope that you did'nt have to pay that dude

 

[The Wright Stuff]

Re: Need help confirming what mechanic told me about my 88 50 HP(water jacket)

I just got charged $25, They are pretty much the only place around here that works on Mercury's. They work on alot of them in that age range and I was referred to them by a well known shop who only handles newer engines.

 

[Clams Canino]

Re: Need help confirming what mechanic told me about my 88 50 HP(water jacket)

Actually, the tech was right. It's often times better to try to patch them up from the outside than to risk breaking bolts. And some of those bolts WILL break on the older motors. If the bolts that break are too low, the powerhead has to come off to get them out. Bad news indeed.<br /><br />Get everything dry, and dig out the old silicone and try again, some people enlage the hole on a spark plug washer a bit, and then silicone it in there.<br /><br />-W

 

[GOTFIVE]

Re: Need help confirming what mechanic told me about my 88 50 HP(water jacket)

clams is right he hooked me up with the same info us a dremal with a small wire brush clean it up good then let it sit for a day or so red rtv worked for me

 

[rodbolt]

Re: Need help confirming what mechanic told me about my 88 50 HP(water jacket)

hello<br /> use a dremel and carfully clean the jug surface and the cover surface. mix up some jb weld and apply it making sure you get no epoxy on the plug gasket surface. it lasts a lot longer than RTV. its a commom problem on mercs in saltwater.

 

[fishingdan]

Re: Need help confirming what mechanic told me about my 88 50 HP(water jacket)

I just repaired the same problem on my 1985 merc 50hp engine. I too was warned about the bolts. I sprayed some wd-40 on them and let them sit a few days. I was fortunate and was able to get the bolts out. The gasket has been redesigned a couple of times. The one I just installed has much more support for that weak area. <br /><br />If you can get the bolts out, it is an easy repair.

 

[The Wright Stuff]

Re: Need help confirming what mechanic told me about my 88 50 HP(water jacket)

Thanks for all the help. Im picking it up from the shop on monday. Hopefully I can get it out on the water for the first time this coming week. Ill give the repair a shot in the next few weeks.