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Found: one very large hole in the exhaust manifold...

J

Jeremy185

New member
2005 Bayliner 185BR, 4.3 Merc.
IMG_1202 3.jpg

So I'm at the launch about to start my first day of the season shakedown and as I fire the boat up in the water I hear a strange sound. I opened the engine cover to find a water spilling out like a waterfall out of the port side of my motor. Closer inspection showed the picture attached here. A giant gaping rusted hole in my manifold. What the heck happened and is my engine (or me, really) completely...in a lot of trouble?

It seems that to replace the manifold (and riser, and other side manifold, and riser) is pretty straightforward but I've read some horror stories of water busting up the motor when the manifold breaks ( engine still sounded pretty good while I had it running.)

First thought is ice damage over the winter but I'd be surprised about that as I winterized it with 3gal concentrated antifreeze mixed with 2gal water. That should be more than enough to make it through the motor, no?
 
freeze blow out.............

Who taught you how to winterize a marine engine?

There is NO procedure I am aware of that says to mix anything and run it through the engine to winterize.

ALL marine engines have DRAIN plugs both on the block and manifolds.

I will give you ONE guess why......................

I would check all core plugs (freeze plugs as commonly referred to) on the engine block to see if any popped out.
 
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Jeremy185 said:
2005 Bayliner 185BR, 4.3 Merc.

So I'm at the launch about to start my first day of the season shakedown
Jeremy, I'm sorry to hear about this damage.
With all due respect to you........ it will serve you best if you were to do your initial season start-up at home, instead of waiting until at the boat launch!

First thought is ice damage over the winter but I'd be surprised about that as I winterized it with 3gal concentrated antifreeze mixed with 2gal water. That should be more than enough to make it through the motor, no?
Rather being condescending (such as in the previous post), I'll link you to this write-up where you can see how using one of the alleged raw water cooled marine engine "winterizing kits" is risky.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/customer-reviews/R3BD7X6QC3KCFR?ref=pf_vv_at_pdctrvw_srp

The good news is..... you will not make this mistake again!


I know a man who has a good line to offer..... he says; "all winterizing appears to be perfect at the time of lay-up..... it's not until Spring time when we find out just how un-perfect it was!"

Click to expand...
 
1flush and fog motor until it stalls
2 open ALL drain plugs and probe to insure draining
3 pour AF into the hoses until full
Any other method can cause freeze cracks, such as the one in your picture. Hopefully you dodged the block .
 
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Bt Doctur said:
1... flush and fog motor until it stalls
I have a helper hold approx 1,200 rpm while I introduce the fogging solution into the primary throttle bores.
The helper then cuts the ignition (and holds the throttle position) as the fogging oil is continued until the rotating assembly comes to rest.
By cutting the ignition, it prevents combustion of the fogging oil, leaving better protection.


2..... open ALL drain plugs and probe to insure draining
Yes.... I fully agree...... make sure that you probe the drain ports.
Click to expand...


as per post #2 said:
There is NO procedure I am aware of that says to mix anything and run it through the engine to winterize.
Click to expand...

Although I've seen a Mercury Marine sponsored on-line demonstration for using the CamCo or StarBrite winterizing system, I agree..... just plain ole air will not freeze expand and crank our expensive cast iron components.

The amount of rust scale (that the anti-freeze would otherwise somewhat prevent) is not a concern when compared to that which occurs during the normal boating season.



.
 
"Seawater section of cooling system MUST BE COMPLETELY drained for winterstorage, or immediately after cold weather use, if the possibility of freezing temper-atures exist. Failure to comply may result in trapped water causing freeze and/orcorrosion damage to engine. Damage caused by freezing is NOT covered by theMercury MerCruiser Limited Warranty."

Then a few paragraphs later:

"1. For additional assurance against freezing and corrosion, fill the cooling system with amixture of propylene glycol antifreeze and tap water mixed to manufacturer’srecommendation to protect engine to the lowest temperature to which it will be exposedduring cold weather or extended storage. a. Remove thermostat housing or hose and fill with propylene glycol coolant until blockand head are full. If thermostat housing was removed, reinstall and tighten coverbolts securely.
Store boat with drive unit in full DOWN/IN position."

So if you completely fill the block with propylene glycol mix, with rust inhibitor, that's apparently better than draining according to Mercury.

It can be confusing since they tell you to both drain and leave empty, or to fill with antifreeze.
 
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Wow,

Amazing who posts here...............Most of not all Mercuiser's with the exception of the single drain types MUST be drained prior to any other winterizing experiments being done.

Who would suggest anything else?

Links to AMAZON.......Really? Regardless of content AMAZON is nowhere for any valid marine reference on any procedure other than the possible inexpensive part.


I question some of the responses here............it would appear some think highly of themselves and there use of the English language with no real solution based answers.

Alrighty then........



o2batsea,

Yes it can be a bit confusing but I as i read it, 1. Drain then 2. fill with antifreeze, and I would recommend RV antifreeze minimum -50*F. No water ever when winterizing (my opinion).
 
mechmanone said:
Wow,
Links to AMAZON.......Really? Regardless of content AMAZON is nowhere for any valid marine reference on any procedure other than the possible inexpensive part.


I question some of the responses here............it would appear some think highly of themselves and there use of the English language with no real solution based answers.
Click to expand...


All due respect, perhaps you have misunderstood the reason for the link to my Amazon write-up.
And you are correct...... Amazon has zero to do with Marine repair.

Amazon advertises the Camco and/or Star-Brite Marine Engine winterizing kits.
The write-up was posted as to show the risks involved for those who may want to use the system for a raw water cooled Marine engine.

You appear to be knowledgeable.... perhaps read the write-up and leave a comment if you agree or disagree.



.
 
I would suggest rather than links to others opinions it would be prudent to make real world experience suggestions that are known to work.

From a professional point of view, reading reviews from AMAZON on a product that is not OEM recommended is wrong no matter how much you think it may help.


Use known and approved methods and the entry level boat owner will not be steered in the wrong direction. Viewing a link to a review may point him to a unauthorized procedure and end up with a similar result as shown here......Most likely where this boat owner got his information.
 
Yep but somebody is always trying to reinvent the wheel , "to make it easier" , "to make it quicker". but to do it the correct way, NOPE
 
mechmanone said:
I would suggest rather than links to others opinions it would be prudent to make real world experience suggestions that are known to work.

From a professional point of view, reading reviews from AMAZON on a product that is not OEM recommended is wrong no matter how much you think it may help.


Use known and approved methods and the entry level boat owner will not be steered in the wrong direction. Viewing a link to a review may point him to a unauthorized procedure and end up with a similar result as shown here......Most likely where this boat owner got his information.
Click to expand...

Well said,
I like the " you APPEAR to be very knowledgable....
Dont you love it when a idiot makes a statement like that!!

Haha
 
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mechmanone said:
I would suggest rather than links to others opinions it would be prudent to make real world experience suggestions that are known to work.
I agree with you on the last point.
However, I have to ask......... why are you thinking that the write-up has no merit, and why do you think that it should not be shared on a boating forum?
Each fall we have members posting asking questions re; how to winterize.
Often these members inquire about the use of a winterizing kit, such as the Camco or Star-Brite.
If you were to read the write-up and were to look at the comments, you will see just how many people still do not understand the risks for the raw water cooled engine.

From a professional point of view, reading reviews from AMAZON on a product that is not OEM recommended is wrong no matter how much you think it may help.
Again, and all due respect, I believe that you are missing the point.
It has ZERO to do with Amazon, it just happens to be that the write-up is hosted by Amazon where the product is being advertised.


Use known and approved methods and the entry level boat owner will not be steered in the wrong direction.
Case in point. We DO NOT want a new boat owner to think that these kits are OK in the hands of an inexperienced boat owner!

Viewing a link to a review may point him to a unauthorized procedure and end up with a similar result as shown here......Most likely where this boat owner got his information.
Again..... please read the write-up in it's entirety.
Note that I DO NOT approve of the use of this product (for a raw water cooled marine engine), and note that I go into detail as to why!
Click to expand...


I will continue to post a link to the write-up when I think that it is appropriate.




.
 
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kghost said:
Well said,
I like the " you APPEAR to be very knowledgeable....
Dont you love it when a idiot makes a statement like that!!

Haha
Click to expand...

Well as I am new to THIS site, I let that one slide.................

It is not the first time a "wanna be expert" said things of this nature.

In the end it is the solutions provided by the contributors who have first hand working experience and not the opinions of what they perceive. it is clear when it is written in very general terms and lacks the specific answers about the specific product ...Many like portray themselves as knowledgeable........
 
RicardoMarine said:
......................
Click to expand...

No I do not have to read an AMAZON review.

The answer to a person asking is a clear answer.

Drain first buy hand and then if needed or wanted based on their preference add RV antifreeze.

I would do a specific write up stating the facts of how to.
No link to some review of what they ask about. That only ads confusion and deflects the true response needed.

Answer the question directly and give them the correct answers not someone else's opinion.

Simple as that.

The new boat owner wants to be taught the right way in a direct and knowledgeable answer. Not opinion.


And whats with the huge multi colored, paragraphed replies? That's a first............very telling!!
 
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