Water in bell housing

[Jack Rose]

OK, we're talking about a brand new 1980 Mercruiser 330 that's been in a '62 Century Coronado that I don't think has been in the water since it had this engine put in it.

Anyway, you may remember from other posts that I was having problems getting it un-stuck. Well, in the process of solving that, with which you guys were a great help, I discovered about three inches of water in the bell housing as evidenced by a wet rust line on the flywheel as I was trying to turn it through the starter hole.

I was able to suck a cup or so of water out using a syringe and 1/4 inch hose, and I think that I got most of it, but is there a better way of drying it out (I wasn't able to find a drain)? And more importantly, what potential damage should I be concerned about?

And how might water have gotten in there? There's no evidence of water in the crank case. However, when I bought it, this boat had been sitting outside in Florida, with no cover, so I'm wondering if it could have seeped in through rain water accumulating in the bilge.

Any other ideas?

Thanks,

Jack

 

[Haut Medoc]

Re: Water in bell housing

Bad Core Plug.......

 

[chiefalen]

Re: Water in bell housing

And what the transom plug was left in also?

Or something clogged the drain hole?

Bet there was a lot more than 3 inch's.

You pull the motor?

Flywheel got to be rusted, but the coupler, who knows?

And the out drive?

You ever pull that and look at the splines?

 

[chiefalen]

Re: Water in bell housing

Jack how many threads you have open on this boat?

I'm jumping all over trying to see where you are.

 

[MikDee]

Re: Water in bell housing

And what the transom plug was left in also?

Or something clogged the drain hole?

Bet there was a lot more than 3 inch's.

You pull the motor?

Flywheel got to be rusted, but the coupler, who knows?

And the out drive?

You ever pull that and look at the splines?

It's an inboard chief, not an I/O, I only know from his previous post.

By the way Jack, did you get that engine finally freed up?
It sounds like trapped rain water to me?

 

[Bondo]

Re: Water in bell housing

Ayuh,....

That's Another reason I never put that danm dust cover back on,....

There's a little tin dust cover held on by 5 or 7 little 1/4" bolts from the front, around the botton of the flywheel cover....

Reach under there with a 7/16" socket,+ loosen a couple of them,....
That's easier draining than using a hose,+ sucking it out...


Btw,.....
If you're gong to run a Bazillion threads about this barge you've got,....
You've got to post the pertinent Info about in Every thread,...
Some of Us obviously haven't seen the Other threads you've got going,+ your Info in this thread is brought aboard by All the other posters but You....

I suggest you fill it All into your Signature,....
That way it's always in your posts....

Good Luck,+ Welcome Aboard....

 

[Jack Rose]

Re: Water in bell housing

Bond-O and Chiefalen, sorry about that. I've tried to be careful about posting previous links in my previous threads, but forgot to this time.

And I figured that opening a new thread on a new problem would be better than having everyone have to wade through old problems that have already been resolved.

And yes, MikDee, I did finally get it freed up. I'm thinking that it wasn't really all that "stuck" to start with. I was just afraid to apply too many ft-lbs to that nut on the crank pulley for fear of snapping it. A few squirts of PB Blaster and an ounce of Marvel Mystery Oil in each cylinder, plus 6 weeks of ignoring it did the trick. It now spins out freely, but I haven't checked the compression, or actually started it, yet.

Bond-O, thanks for the info on the dust cover. I tried to feel around under there, but didn't find anything. But now, armed with that information, I'll check again.

Any thoughts on how to clean and dry it out in there or what significant damage, if any, there might be. Based on the rust line, it looks like the water came up about 2 1/2 inches on the flywheel.

OK, I know that some of you are anxious for me to "just pull the %$&! engine", but that seems a bit overboard at this point. Trust me, I fully understand the concept of "pay me now or pay me later", penny-wise and pound foolish, etc. But I also follow the philosophy of not using a sledge hammer when a tack hammer will do.

Thanks,

Jack
_________________________________________________________
Inboard/1980 Mercruiser 330/almost no hours on it/1962 Century Coronado
Previous threads on this engine-
Re-Commissioning "New" 1980 Merc 330
Stuck Mercruiser 330
Un-Stuck Mercruiser 330

 

[Bondo]

Re: Water in bell housing

Any thoughts on how to clean and dry it out in there or what significant damage, if any, there might be. Based on the rust line, it looks like the water came up about 2 1/2 inches on the flywheel.

Ayuh,....

Don't worry about it....

You can clean it up when you pull the motor.....

 

[chiefalen]

Re: Water in bell housing

Ha.

He had water that high up and the starter works? No water in the oil.

Oil pan looks good, timing cover not rusted?

What am i missing?

Floor got to be gone, and the gas tank, it still ok?

No way 3 inch's up the flywheel it ain't rusted.