OMC V4 Engine Stopped Running

[JoeyB123]

Hello All,

I have an OMC V4 and I think that I have a problem with the engine. I was going about 5,000 RPM for about 5 minutes up the river and out of the blue the egine stopped like I shut off the key. Not like all together stop like something broke. Anyhow, with my wife and three kids on the boat, I attempted to restart the engine and the starter would not even turn the flywheel an inch. So I started my other engine and got back to the marina safe. Mind you at the time this happened, there were not warning buzzers going off. So I let it sit and came back the next day. Engine started right up no problem. Took it out and the same thing happened, the engine stopped running. Now when the engine cranks it will not idle and it has an uneven cranking rythem. So I called the mechanic and he pulled off the port head and said that one of the cylinders leaned out and said that the whole thing needed to be rebuilt. About $4,000.00 Keeping this in mind, this guy rebuilt all 4 carbs, replaced water pump impeller, 4 new spark plugs, wires, new thermostats, and water pump impeller about 1 month prior. He says that it just happens sometimes? Any ideas?:'(

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: OMC V4 Engine Stopped Running

which engine what size, year, model # outboard or seadrive. you didn't tell us much other than v4 and it quit.

 

[WillyBWright]

Re: OMC V4 Engine Stopped Running

I would assume that an overheat would send an alarm - if the alarm system was working. I've seen boat manufacturers cheap-out and not put buzzers in. Inexcusable! But it sounds like that's what happened. It overheated and locked-up only to free-up once it cooled down. Lack of lubrication usually locks it up - end of story. But I suppose a baked piston could free-up again.

If he cleaned the carbs and a cylinder leaned-out, something went wrong. It doesn't just happen sometimes. Something broke or he did something wrong.

How many times did you run the motor since the repair? How old is the gas?

 

[JoeyB123]

Re: OMC V4 Engine Stopped Running

My apologies. The year is a 1990 and the engine size from what I am told is a 140hp 3.0 liter. Yes it is a seadrive and the engine is an outboard 2 stroke. Model number...I have not got as of yet. Going today to get that information. WillyBWright, the engine was ran Id say about 100 hours after all that work was done. The origianl gas that was in there I am assuming was about 3 years old. It was my father-in-laws and it was willed to us when he died. As long as I known him, he never put it in the water or ran it. However, I went through I think at least 500 gallons of fuel before this happened. Would it be a good idea to start with a compression test? When you say he could have did something wrong, could it be an incorrect rebuild on the carbs?

 

[F_R]

Re: OMC V4 Engine Stopped Running

Since it locked up then freed up after setting awhile, I sure sounds like overheating. Is the paint burned or discolored on the powerhead? If that is the problem, the motor is toast.

Those overheat warning horns are worse than useless sometimes. If the water pump quits suddenly at high speed, as it does when the impeller hub spins, the motor will fry and sieze before the warning ever has a chance to go off. It will then sit there and continue to cook till the warning horn sender is destroyed, never to work at all again.

Anybody doubts this, just ask all those people that had it happen to them when we were having a ton of problems with spun impellers. Every one of them told me that the horn never went off.

 

[WillyBWright]

Re: OMC V4 Engine Stopped Running

Had the failure happened shortly afrter the repair, I'd suspect a problem with the repair. If the gas was old, I'd suspect the gas was the cause. Neither seem to be the case. Best guess right now is carbon behind the rings, but only a teardown may tell for sure.

 

[jeeperman]

Re: OMC V4 Engine Stopped Running

100 hours and 500 gallons of fuel in one month?

In Buffalo, NY?

In Febuary and March?

Is this an icebreaker?

 

[JoeyB123]

Re: OMC V4 Engine Stopped Running

Thank you for the input everyone. This has got to be the best forum that I have seen. You guys are awsome. No this is not an icebreaker. This happened a couple of years ago in the summer months. When this happened, there was still water peeing from the engine so I know that the water pump was still working. No, the paint is not discolored. Stuck thermostat maybe? The serial number is G 02515455 and the Model is 20AHRDGH. Well, I took a compression test today. NOT GOOD. Only 10psi on both cylinders on the port side and 90 on the strbrd side. I guess that constitutes an engine rebuild. I have 11 years of automotive experience. Is this a difficult job? I know that the cylinders are going to have to be checked. What do I do after strpiing the powerhead down? Will the machinist know the tolerances? Will they know if the powerhead is junk?

 

[JoeyB123]

Re: OMC V4 Engine Stopped Running

Thank you for the input everyone. This has got to be the best forum that I have seen. You guys are awsome. No this is not an icebreaker. This happened a couple of years ago in the summer months. When this happened, there was still water peeing from the engine so I know that the water pump was still working. No, the paint is not discolored. Stuck thermostat maybe? The serial number is G 02515455 and the Model is 20AHRDGH. Well, I took a compression test today. NOT GOOD. Only 10psi on both cylinders on the port side and 90 on the strbrd side. I guess that constitutes an engine rebuild. I have 11 years of automotive experience. Is this a difficult job? I know that the cylinders are going to have to be checked. What do I do after striping the powerhead down? Will the machinist know the tolerances? Will they know if the powerhead is junk?

 

[JoeyB123]

Re: OMC V4 Engine Stopped Running

Oh & by the way, can anyone tell me what HP this engine is? Nobody can tell me, even the OMC tech support. It is a V4 2.0L. I need this information to price up parts. Thanks everyone.

 

[WillyBWright]

Re: OMC V4 Engine Stopped Running

I'm pretty sure it's a 140Hp SeaDrive. As far as I know it's the only horsepower SeaDrive made. They're pretty rare birds (but not worth much because of that). The block should be bored by spec and not piston-fit. The shop will need the standard-bore spec and oversize spec (.010 or .030 over). There's nothing terribly difficult about them. Just weird compared to car motors. Sorta car/snowmobile motor hybrid.

20AHRDGH is similar to the sterndrive model number.
20 is displacement of 2.0L
A probably means cable steering or SeaDrive
H probably means hydraulic trim
R is right-hand prop rotation
DG would be the year, but I dunno which
H is probably a model variation.

Somebody else can probably nail the year by serial, but I'd guestimate early 80s. G means it was made in Georgia. Most parts should be the same as a 140 outboard of the same year.

 

[JoeyB123]

Re: OMC V4 Engine Stopped Running

Thank you for the input WillyBWright. That helps a bunch. I have been online for about 2 hours now searching the internet and I can't find anyone that carries the VRO Pump and the other engine parts. Any Advice? This thing is driving me nuts. Would I just be better off getting a reman power head?

 

[WillyBWright]

Re: OMC V4 Engine Stopped Running

VRO? The D probably makes that a 1986. You can get a lot of the parts from right here on iboats. But the VRO is a dealer item. Check your yellow pages or try www.johnson.com for your nearest dealer. You can also find parts diagrams there (for outboards). They'll ask for your e-mail, but you don't have to. I never have.

Yes, you would be better off getting a Reman. Can't hardly beat a guarantee. You rebuild your own, you accept the risk. But of course if you can do the labor, rebuilding it yourself is cheaper.

Those are typically mounted on stern-drive hullls. They just don't cut out the hole for the drive, and the interior is different accordingly. Chances are pretty good that the model year of the motor and boat match because of that.

 

[Solittle]

Re: OMC V4 Engine Stopped Running

The 2.0 L V4 is a looper and has a good reputation. I have a pair of 1987 1.6 L V4 bubble back crossflow SeaDrives at 110 hp (per the OMC shop manual).

 

[JoeyB123]

Re: OMC V4 Engine Stopped Running

It is a looper. Thank you for the update. Do you happen to know the HP? I am sorry about all of these questions, but I must ask this question. These VRO Pumps. I have heard good and bad. Do these come with a warranty? I have heard people call these Very Risky Operation because from what I understand they have been the cause of multiple engine faliures and then I have also read that it's not the VRO's fault. I want to invest the money to get this thing back up and running, but I cannot see investing the money on something that I am going to take a chance on. In other words one day I will be going 5,000 RPM with my wife & kids on the boat and then "POOF" the engine seizes yet again and I am out $2,400.00 plus a safety condition. I mean, what are the chances of the VRO pump going if it is brand new? What are the warranties on something like that? Thank you in advance

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: OMC V4 Engine Stopped Running

something to think about:
http://forums.iboats.com/bbBoard.cgi?a=viewthread;fid=36;gtid=1035557

http://forums.iboats.com/bbBoard.cgi?a=viewthread;fid=36;gtid=1035570