What would a leak test include?

[Kellie399]

Long story short...we took our boat in to be repaired and I told them that we had a leak somewhere but couldn't determine where it was. Said the only thing they could find was a nuisance leak in the exhaust manifold but that wouldn't be giving us the amount of water I was talking about. Thought it was the rub rail so that was removed and recaulked. Wasn't tested on the water.

We then went ahead and replaced the deck and the carpet etc with the assumption the leak was fixed. Get it home take it out and oil mixed with water all over the engine after just getting it to our lift. So, they take it back and tell us we have a cracked block.

Is this something that should have been found in doing an diagnostics and trying to find our leak? It just seems a major thing was missed and now we have a boat with all new carpeting and flooring but need a new engine. We would have never went through with all those repairs if we new we needed a new engine.

I know that all places probably do things differently but just wanted some opinions on this. Thanks!

 

[Andy'sDelight]

Re: What would a leak test include?

Unfortunately having a "marine mechanic" title doesn't necessarily mean the mechanic has any clue what they're doing. To answer your question, even the worst of mechanics should have noticed a cracked block. I'm of course assuming the block was cracked when the mechanic looked it over (sure sounds like it was based on your post).

 

[RWilson2526]

Re: What would a leak test include?

Sorry to hear about your troubles...its experiences like those that make boating to some a nightmare experience. Its an unfortunate situation...should your mechanic have found the cracked block when looking for a leak?....probably. Is he liable to you financially for not finding the leak, no not really.

I kind of look at that situation like I have here as a mechanical contractor. The engineer makes a mistake on a drawing and you dont question it and build it...then when it turns up wrong you get that "well you should have caught it" Well usually we do and occasionally when we don't we feel bad and wish that we had to make the engineer look good and the customer happy but are we responsible for the costs to fix it? no its the engineers fault that started the whole thing....Hope that analogy makes sense...


Also the last poster brings up a good point, was this floor work done over the winter? is it possible the block got cracked from improper winterization after your mechanic looked at it? I mean if he found the leak in the manifold he was looking at the engine so it is hard to believe he didnt see that.