Surprise engine cracked in a 4.3. Options?

[Bashonda]

I took my 2006 18ft. Bluewater in for a spring tune up and the mechanic called me and said the oil looked like a milkshake. I authorized him to take off the intake manifold and here are the pictures in an email he sent (along with an estimate for $5200 to replace the engine). Do I have any options instead of a full engine replacement?

 

[alldodge]

I took my 2006 18ft. Bluewater in for a spring tune up and the mechanic called me and said the oil looked like a milkshake. I authorized him to take off the intake manifold and here are the pictures in an email he sent (along with an estimate for $5200 to replace the engine). Do I have any options instead of a full engine replacement?

Maybe, need to find out where the water came from.
If it was caused by a gasket (head, intake, exhaust) then may get away with replacing gasket. If it is from a cracked block then you need a motor.

The big question on my mind, is who winterized the motor? If you paid to have it winterized and it has a cracked block then who ever didn't do it right should be on the hook.

 

[Bashonda]

The big question on my mind, is who winterized the motor? If you paid to have it winterized and it has a cracked block then who ever didn't do it right should be on the hook.



I winterized it. I put about 8 gallons of antifreeze through it and stored it in my insulated garage. It never gets below 40-45 degrees in the winter time in there, so I don't know how it cracked.

 

[alldodge]

I winterized it. I put about 8 gallons of antifreeze through it and stored it in my insulated garage. It never gets below 40-45 degrees in the winter time in there, so I don't know how it cracked.

Not to rub salt in a wound, but there are a bunch of cracked blocks every year from folks using antifreeze. That said if it didn't get below 40 degrees then the block should not be cracked.

Is it a cracked block, or do you know?

 

[jimmbo]

You put the anti freeze into the cooling system, right? You didn't add to the valve cover?

Your insulated garage, is it heated?

 

[Bondo]

Ayuh,.... Welcome Aboard,.... I see water in the oil in the pictures, but can't see any cracks anywhere,.....

Ya didn't drain the block, Before ya ran the antifreeze did ya,..??

I wouldn't agree to a new motor, til ya know what's broken, 'n where,......

 

[Bashonda]

Not to rub salt in a wound, but there are a bunch of cracked blocks every year from folks using antifreeze. That said if it didn't get below 40 degrees then the block should not be cracked.

Is it a cracked block, or do you know?

The mechanic says its cracked in two places and shared the pictures I included in my original post, but I am not mechanically inclined, so don't know how bad it really is. His recommendation was to buy a new long block. They quoted $2599 for the block + $2000 labor + $300 core charge + $200 for parts.

 

[Bashonda]

You put the anti freeze into the cooling system, right? You didn't add to the valve cover?

Your insulated garage, is it heated?

I did run it through the cooling system, same as I have done for 3 years. I did not add any to the valve cover. We don't have a heated garage. This winter was especially warm (we live in Seattle) and nothing else in my garage (including water bottles) even came close to freezing this year, or any year that we have lived here (12 years now).

 

[alldodge]

The mechanic says its cracked in two places and shared the pictures I included in my original post, but I am not mechanically inclined, so don't know how bad it really is. His recommendation was to buy a new long block. They quoted $2599 for the block + $2000 labor + $300 core charge + $200 for parts.

Didn't see anything in your original post about the block being cracked, did notice in second post but wanted to make sure.

Cracked, yes needs replaced, but with a cracked block the core will be lost. Buy from Michigan motors and the cost is 2300 and 100 core. A new base engine with no core is 2800. Agree with labor and parts

 

[dennis461]

Is it same as GM truck engine block? If yes, go for used engine from a wreck.

 

[jimmbo]

The 4.3 has one unique feature the 305 and 350 don't. besides having two fewer cylinders. The intake manifold for some reason has an area that needs to be drained, Often missed and then cracks

 

[bruceb58]

I did run it through the cooling system, same as I have done for 3 years.

Let me guess...you ran it through the muffs and didn't drain the block first.

With your new engine, just drain the block and forget the antifreeze.