Cracked Carb?

[vancouvercanuck]

Hi All, <br /><br />I own a 4.3L Omc/Cobra I/O 1992. 400hrs aprx on the motor. I have owned this boat now going on eight summers and have never had a drop of problems with the boat (knock knock). <br /><br />Well last weekend was the first weekend. I had the boat professionally winterized (like I have always done) last fall and this was my first outing with it since. I started it in the driveway with the water hooked up to it and it started and ran fine.<br /><br />Get it out onto the water and going WOT sounded almost like I had a bad spark plug. (I had a bad spark plug a couple summers ago). It almost sounded like it was mis-firing at WOT, not much though. <br /><br />The boat ran great all day. Heading back to the boat launch, I clipped an island at WOT and did not do too much damage except for a small chunck out of one of the prop blades.<br /><br />About forty seconds later the boat just dies on us, like we ran out of gas or the gas line got cut off or something. <br /><br />Next mornning we think it might be bad gas, so we topped it up with fresh stuff (half a tank now is $57 bucks Canadian!!! ouch).<br /><br />We put the boat back in the water, it starts, barely, and runs like crap and engine shaking really bad, and at WOT won't do anything at all.<br /><br />So, I take it in to the shop to have it looked at. In for a few days and the call and tell me it needs a carb kit. I say ok go ahead. Well now they call me and tell me it's a cracked carb! $1000.00 just for the part. They say the engine has a electric fuel pump and when you start the engine the gas just leeks through the carb into the engine. Hence the reason it ran so crappy. I ask how I could get a cracked carb and they say it could be from hitting the rocks? Does this sound right? I am no engine guy, but this kinda sounds fishy to me? I wouldn't think a carb would just get up and crack like that out of no where? These are the same people that winterize my boat as well. Could it be due to inproper winerization?<br /><br />Thanks in advance, sorry for the long post.<br /><br />Cheers,

 

[John_S]

Re: Cracked Carb?

I'd have them make sure the intake manifold had not developed a warp.

 

[tommays]

Re: Cracked Carb?

0 0987455 3858331 Use 3858331 1 $780.00 $702.00 <br />well over here and orginal 2 barrel goes for 700 and a 4 is about 900<br /><br /><br />one issue is that if you dont use and orginal carb and go aftermarket there can be BIG labor costs in connecting everything to one that is different<br /><br /><br />i can guess how the carb broke BUT it is not going to change things<br /><br />tommays

 

[jeff13601]

Re: Cracked Carb?

I find it highly unlikely the carb cracked from hitting the prop. Matter of fact that sounds absolutely rediculous. You need to have them show you the crack and look at where it is and see if there is any sign it was treated roughly

 

[vancouvercanuck]

Re: Cracked Carb?

I'm just really curious how a carb can crack in the first place? Would it happen if the boat was not winterized properly in the first place? I have always taken great care in the boat to begin with and having a broken carb?, after they put a carb kit in thinking that was the problem starting off? I'm lost really.

 

[jeff13601]

Re: Cracked Carb?

Where is it cracked? It could be dropped or maybe it was tapped to hard trying to get it seperated or off the intake. I dont believe overtightening a screw could do it but others might know better. Have you seen the crack?

 

[vancouvercanuck]

Re: Cracked Carb?

No, I haven't even been down to the shop to see it yet. Maybe I should go down and take a picture of it and post it on here. Can carbs just crack? You would think they wouldn't but what do I know.

 

[Richard Petersen]

Re: Cracked Carb?

I go for a dropped carb during the rebuild kit being put into it. Easy to do. "See if the customer goes for the story of it already being cracked when we went to rebuild it. If yes, we are off of the cost. If not, one of you is out of a pay check." You need to see the carb, make sure it is really yours. I know that can take a lot of courage. $ 1000 of some other, used rebuilt, is way too high. Surf the web search-- marine carburators-- lots out there. Phone other marine yards for a good used one.

 

[vancouvercanuck]

Re: Cracked Carb?

I was thinking somewhere along those lines, or bad winterization maybe? You would think that if it was cracked from the beginning it wouldn't run when I put it in the water for the first time? Then after hitting/nicking the rock it would break the carb? Anywho, I'm going to go down to the shop and look at it, I'll snap a couple pictures off and post it up here.

 

[jeff13601]

Re: Cracked Carb?

Unless the carb was full of water, winterization means nothing. If nothing else dont let them insult your intelligence by telling you the carb cracked when you nicked the drive. Depending on the crack you should be able to tell how it happened. Look for a scrape near the crack from the concrete floor of the shop.

 

[novicetech]

Re: Cracked Carb?

I agree, carb was cracked during rebuild.

 

[DHPMARINE]

Re: Cracked Carb?

I can't say when or how your carb cracked.But if it happened hitting the island,the outdrive would be 100 or more yards behind the boat,which would be on the bottom of the pond.<br /><br />Oh yeah,you'd be onshore,playing an osterich.<br /><br />give me a break ! !<br /><br />and tell your shop the same thing.<br /><br />DHP

 

[jlinder]

Re: Cracked Carb?

I agree with the other posts. Denting the prop cracked the carb? Don't think I've heard anything more far fetched in a long time. Are they trying to say you hit something, it traveled up the drive, through the crankshaft, through the the block, to crack the carb, but left no damage anywhere else?<br /><br />Ask to see the carb. Look for a crack. Look for dents (ie. - they dropped it). Make sure it is your carb.<br /><br />I have got to admit I have never heard of a cracked carb. Can other people here tell me if this really happens? (Sounds like a question for Don S)

 

[Reel Poor]

Re: Cracked Carb?

I cant wait to see the pics. <br /><br />

I agree, carb was cracked during rebuild.

Me too!!!

 

[waterone1@aol.com]

Re: Cracked Carb?

The only way, and I do mean ONLY way I would buy their story is if they showed me the broken motor mounts and the smashed flame arrestor from where the engine hit part of the boat. Other than that, look for the chip in their concrete floor.

 

[jlshields]

Re: Cracked Carb?

I agrees with others on how the carb got cracked. Before you give $1000 for a carb, check Edelbrock, they carry marine carbs. Got one for a 5.0 Merc several years ago for less than $400. You could go with a new alum manifold AND 4BBL carb for less than that $1000.

 

[Big Ratfink]

Re: Cracked Carb?

One way a carb can get cracked is from over-tightening the carb mounting bolts when they rebuilt the carb. But normally that only busts a corner off from the base, but can also warp the carb base.

 

[rbezdon]

Re: Cracked Carb?

Looks like the overwelming majority of us are all in agreement, no way hitting a rock cracks a carb without other MAJOR damage, even for bad winterization. I also agree, you can get a remanufactured or replacement carb for that engine for well under $500 through the internet. You just need to know the carb type. Try Carbs.com (some times even EBay, quite a few carb rebuilder sell their stuff on EBay and its basically new not used). Also, as a prior post suggested just Google for marine carburators. I bought a Quadrajet for $215 when me dealer wanted $550 (you may have the Qudrajet if you have a 4BBL).