boat question

deere755 · May 13, 2007

We got our boat out for the seccond time this year and before we got out of the marina the alarm went off to let me know the motor was not getting any water and that the temp was 200. I immediately shut off the motor. My wife went and got the trailer and I tought that once the motor completely cooled off I could at least use the engine to get it on the trailer. I went to start it and it was locked up. It was running fine when I shut it off. I can't understand what would make it lock up like that. It is a 350 Chevy (mercruiser). Any ideas on what could have happened. It was a all around bad day at the lake. The wife and I ended up getting in the water which is not warm yet to load the boat on the trailer by hand. I was winching the boat on the trailer and the winch broke about 4 inches short of having it all the way on the trailer. This is when I finally lost it and said a few choice words. The wife says do you feel better and I said yes I do. Then she says it is still broke, which did not help. Still beats working I guess.

Shimon · May 13, 2007

Sounds like a bad raw water impeller (most likely cause). Was the sea valve open? Is it a sterndrive or inboard with prop shaft? 200F isn't that hot so I can't imagine that it seized from overheat even though it will get hotter once shut off. Is there coolant in the engine? Is the level ok? As for the seize, it could be a cracked/rusted through exhaust manifold/riser which let water in through an open exhaust valve and then hydro-locked the engine. Pull the spark plugs and turn it over by hand with a breaker bar to make sure there isn't water in the cylinders.

kenmac · May 14, 2007

If you get the engine freed up .You might want to check dirt dobbers. I have a problem with them every year

deere755 · May 15, 2007

I talked to the boat shop today and we think maybe I did not get it drained good around Easter when it was 80 degrees out and then it dropped to 18 degrees. I knew we should have left it in the shed but it was so nice and a boat ride sounded good. The mechanic said he thinks water is getting into the cylinders and that is why it won't roll over. It is an I/O and from what I can find a 350 Chevy Mercruiser block is about $1900. Some lessons are expensive.

deere755 · May 19, 2007

Update
The mechanic says we need a new engine and that a 350 is anywhere from $5000 to $7000 installed. Does this sound a little high to anyone else or is this a fair price for a boat engine. I had a friend just buy a new 4.3 v6 for $1300 for his pickup. I figure a marine engine is a little higher but not that much.

Shimon · May 19, 2007

That sounds about right. Those exhaust manifold/risers are expensive. Of course I don't know what prices are like in your area but that's what you would pay around here. I'm assuming that's for a new engine...not used.

crbr · May 19, 2007

deere755 said:
Update
The mechanic says we need a new engine and that a 350 is anywhere from $5000 to $7000 installed. Does this sound a little high to anyone else or is this a fair price for a boat engine. I had a friend just buy a new 4.3 v6 for $1300 for his pickup. I figure a marine engine is a little higher but not that much.

Too high. But that is just a dealer being a dealer...

There are several things I'd consider before buying a new engine, first being, a second opinion.

Then call the folks at Discount Inboard Marine and talk to them. They specialize in inboards (realizing yours is an I/O) but those are some fine folks and if they can assist you in any way to find an engine, they will be gald to do it. I deal with them exclusively with my Mastercraft. The do indeed sell crate engines for the inboards, the Chevy included.

I doubt your engine damage originated from a freeze of 18 deg F. Maybe so but normally a freeze plug would have popped or a water jacket would have cracked, with a visible and obvious source for a leak. The impeller could very well have shredded and did not move water, thus the overheat. As for a head gasket, drain your oil and see if it has water in it. If so, it may be a bad head gasket, but nonetheless, if it's siezed from overheating, it may be a done deal. Hard to say. As was said, 200 deg F isn't that hot.

What town in central IL?

crbr · May 19, 2007

Shimon said:
That sounds about right. Those exhaust manifold/risers are expensive. Of course I don't know what prices are like in your area but that's what you would pay around here. I'm assuming that's for a new engine...not used.

Actually those are not that expensive to drive an engine to that price (not to dispute your word). I'd be surprised if a crate replacement ran that much.

The bad thing about this is the downtime.

Again, talk to the folks at skidim.com. They are a very good resource and their entire staff is knowledgeable.

63DH8 · May 20, 2007

kenmac said:
If you get the engine freed up .You might want to check dirt dobbers. I have a problem with them every year

Ditto! I normally blow the bleedout hole (pee hole) out with compressed air prior to starting the engine first of the season.

deere755 · May 20, 2007

crbr said:
Too high. But that is just a dealer being a dealer...

There are several things I'd consider before buying a new engine, first being, a second opinion.

Then call the folks at Discount Inboard Marine and talk to them. They specialize in inboards (realizing yours is an I/O) but those are some fine folks and if they can assist you in any way to find an engine, they will be gald to do it. I deal with them exclusively with my Mastercraft. The do indeed sell crate engines for the inboards, the Chevy included.

I doubt your engine damage originated from a freeze of 18 deg F. Maybe so but normally a freeze plug would have popped or a water jacket would have cracked, with a visible and obvious source for a leak. The impeller could very well have shredded and did not move water, thus the overheat. As for a head gasket, drain your oil and see if it has water in it. If so, it may be a bad head gasket, but nonetheless, if it's siezed from overheating, it may be a done deal. Hard to say. As was said, 200 deg F isn't that hot.

What town in central IL?

I definately have water in the oil. I checked it and I have about double the amount of oil in the pan and it is milky looking. The mechanic told me that there was alot of boats damaged by the freeze this spring.