Update: 3.0 L 4 cyl engine pouring water out of flywheel??

[austin123]

Just got back from the lake, engine started smoking and bilge filled up really quickly. After being towed and on boat ramp ran engine again and water is pouring out of the back of the engine around the flywheel?? Could it be a freeze plug?? Or worse still a cracked block??<br />Anybody had this before? The engine was smoking because the exhaust did not have any cooling water going through it and the rubber joints were getting really hot.

 

[austin123]

Re: Update: 3.0 L 4 cyl engine pouring water out of flywheel??

The outdrive is an Alpha 1 and today was the second time I have had it in the water since buying it and refurbishing (still in the middle). I have already replaced all of the bellows, lower shift shaft and raw water pump over the last few weeks. Last Tuesday was the first time it has been in the water since 1997! which is why I suspected a core plug. Is there even a core plug back there?

 

[austin123]

Re: Update: 3.0 L 4 cyl engine pouring water out of flywheel??

Does the engine HAVE to come out or can I just pull the outdrive, flywheel cover etc and get back there?

 

[jeff13601]

Re: Update: 3.0 L 4 cyl engine pouring water out of flywheel??

There are two core plugs back there. One in the top center and the other lower left. Been there done that the last week. Im sure youve tossed the plug but then you need to check the rest of the block. You are going to have to pull the motor. I have never done it before but I had mine out in 2 hours. Look back on my posts and you can have the same advice and direction I was sent in. Good luck

 

[Don S]

Re: Update: 3.0 L 4 cyl engine pouring water out of flywheel??

Could be a core plug (aka "Freeze" plug), could be a cracked block. Look at this forum, this is the time of year there are lots of posts about cracks and blown freeze plugs. Usually because the engine wasn't drained or winterized.<br />When the hoses burn and smoke, it's because there is no water flow past the hoses. When was the last time the raw water impeller was changed or inspected? Oh, and what kind of drive do you have? OMC, Merc, Volvo????? Year?????

 

[jeff13601]

Re: Update: 3.0 L 4 cyl engine pouring water out of flywheel??

A small set of chain falls and a beam over your head is sufficient. Pull the outdrive first. Theres very few things to remove from the engine. Linkages, your power plug, hot wires to the starter and the ground wires. Unhook the fuel line at the pump. I took close up pics of the wiring with a digital camera before I started but I didnt need them so you know theres not much, lol.You should find hooks to lift it on the front upper left and on the back behind the riser

 

[jeff13601]

Re: Update: 3.0 L 4 cyl engine pouring water out of flywheel??

I made a beam out of 4 two by sixes and put it across my kids swingset to the garage roof. The swingset is made of four by fours. You might have a tree limb. As long as it is tall and strong enough your allright

 

[Alumarine]

Re: Update: 3.0 L 4 cyl engine pouring water out of flywheel??

there is a core plug back there on my 74 140

 

[Don S]

Re: Update: 3.0 L 4 cyl engine pouring water out of flywheel??

The engine does have to come out, and you have to remove the bellhousing, coupler and flywheel.

 

[austin123]

Re: Update: 3.0 L 4 cyl engine pouring water out of flywheel??

I was really pi***ed at the time as I had the wife and kids on the boat and it was filling with water pretty quickly. My wife was freaking out as she was expecting us to sink any time and we were so looking forward to a few hours on the lake. The kids were really upset as this is our first boat (18' 1988 Stingray) and after months of fixing in spare time it looked like it was going to be a great weekend then.....<br />Well we pulled the boat out and some friends met us with their pontoon so we did spend the afternoon in the sun afterall! After reading some of the other posts it looks like that is exactly what it is which I am kind of relieved about.

 

[austin123]

Re: Update: 3.0 L 4 cyl engine pouring water out of flywheel??

Looks like I need to find an engine lift now!<br />And an engine alignment tool!<br />Is boating always this much fun

 

[austin123]

Re: Update: 3.0 L 4 cyl engine pouring water out of flywheel??

Thanks, only problem is my garage does not have a well supported ceiling. I may have to buy some 4x4's and build a frame or something. I can get a chainfall from work. I have pulled lots of car motors back in England but this will be my first boat.

 

[austin123]

Re: Update: 3.0 L 4 cyl engine pouring water out of flywheel??

OK, here's a question.<br />Say the main drive bellows split and started filling the boat and I could not run the engine for whatever reason. Would the boat sink totally or just get to a point level with the water and then stop?

 

[Don S]

Re: Update: 3.0 L 4 cyl engine pouring water out of flywheel??

It wouldn't be that big of a leak, and the bilge pump (you do have one with an automatic float switch don't you) would take care of it for quite a while with just an average battery.<br />Don't forget, between the water and the inside of the boat, even with the bellows missing, is a gimbal bearing with grease in it, and a seal, used for keeping big chunks of dirt out of the gimbal bearing, on the inside around the drive shaft. The water will get buy, but not in gallons per minute.<br />But to answer your question, boats do sink enough to destroy eveything on board but usually stay afloat enough to give people something to cling to, the engine would be under water completely, but again that depends on the type and year of boat and what type floatation is in it.

 

[jeff13601]

Re: Update: 3.0 L 4 cyl engine pouring water out of flywheel??

I suppose a fiberglass or aluminum boat that had no foam between the cavities could. There are a lot of boats on the bottom of lakes

 

[austin123]

Re: Update: 3.0 L 4 cyl engine pouring water out of flywheel??

Thanks for all the posts everyone, going to bed. Will look at pulling the motor tomorrow.

 

[austin123]

Re: Update: 3.0 L 4 cyl engine pouring water out of flywheel??

I know what you mean now about the drive shaft seals etc, forgot about that. I do have a bilge pump, it's not automatic and it's probably about the smallest you can buy. It was in the boat when I bought it and, well it worked when tested so I left it.....After yesterday, I'm getting a bigger one, automatic too! I could have bailed quicker.

 

[austin123]

Re: Update: 3.0 L 4 cyl engine pouring water out of flywheel??

Thanks again all of the above for the information. I pulled the motor today, spun it around and removed the cover etc. Sure enough the freeze plug had blown out. Understandable now how quickly a 2" hole in the water passage can fill the bilge so quickly There are two plugs back there, one in the top middle which is brass and another below and to the starter side which is slightly bigger and steel. The motor is back in place and all hooked up and hopefully, if my exhaust gaskets get here by Friday, I can get her running for Saturday.

 

[jeff13601]

Re: Update: 3.0 L 4 cyl engine pouring water out of flywheel??

I dont want to dampen your spirits but have you checked the rest of the block and the riser. Something forced that plug out. The plug that came out was up high and I hope you dont find a crack high on the block behind the riser or the riser itself. Take off your t-stat housing, take out your t-stat and fill it with water. Also check your oil for water if there were an interior crack. Like I said I am not trying to bum you but you need to find out

 

[austin123]

Re: Update: 3.0 L 4 cyl engine pouring water out of flywheel??

Thanks for the info. The block looks good and I just drained the oil and, although a little thin, it was fine. I bought the boat a year ago and have been refurbishing it. It has not been in the water since 1997 (until last week) and I suspect the last owner never drained the block over the many winters he had it behind his house. I suspect the water in it froze and popped out the plug. The plug was still in there but the flywheel got it and threw it about so it was a little mangled. There was no thermostat installed, I have a new one to pick up Friday.