Winter Damage

[Gary H]

I had a friend winterize my 21 ft Dolphin, that has a 260 Merc I/0 ... I know he drained the lower unit, drained any water from the bilge and <br />other holding areas ... and it went to outside <br />storage ... I just went over to check it out <br />and lifted up the engine box, only to find the <br />appearance of a crack running longitudinal on the<br />left side of the block .... obviously he did not<br />complete the process. I'm not an engine buff or expert, so I need to hear if this means this engine is shot? It appears he must of left some<br />water in the cooling system and it probably expanded.The system is a raw water cooling system.<br />Even though we have had a mild winter in the Midwest it has been below freezing enough to have caused this damage. Your comments, no matter how painful will be appreciated.<br /><br />Thanks

 

[skicat]

Re: Winter Damage

You must drain the block and manifolds. Did your friend know what he was doing? A cracked block is not a good thing.

 

[Gary H]

Re: Winter Damage

Obviously he did not ... he has a larger boat, and this was my first winter with this boat ...<br />he had the marina do his as it is a 33 ft Chapparal ... he had some extra time so he said would take care of mine for me as I was traveling a lot with work ... my Dolphin was a project boat ... don't have a lot into it, and was planning on moving up to a 26-28 ft Sea Ray this Spring , but<br />now will obvioulsy not have any trade value to speak of ... any ideas.<br /><br />Gary H

 

[DHPMARINE]

Re: Winter Damage

You're probably in the market for a new engine.Is it warm enough to run the motor now ?If so,run it,and check the oil.If it is milky ... BAD.If not,stabilize the gas while its running,shut her down and drain her.In the spring tell us how bad it is.<br /><br />DHP

 

[Gary H]

Re: Winter Damage

Thanks ... it is only about 28 degrees here tonight, so running it won't work ... plus it<br />Super Bowl Sunday. I did stabilize the gas.<br /><br />As soon as it gets warmer I will do this and <br />report back. If it needs a new engine, I believe<br />I will just sell it for someone who wants that<br />challenge. I only bought it for $2,000 and put <br />$ 1,000 in it the first season ... and we did get<br />a lot of use out of it, but probably would not <br />have got a lot for a trade anyway ... but now will<br />have to sell as is.<br /><br />Thanks for all the posts ....<br /><br />Gary H

 

[crazy charlie]

Re: Winter Damage

I would not have THAT friend do you any more favors !!He didnt drain the block !!<br />you really dont have to know much about boats to know you should drain the block.Bet he made sure his blocks were drained.Probably cracked a manifold too.

 

[whywhyzed]

Re: Winter Damage

The good news is that the 350 Chevy is a very common and readily available block. Chev V8 manifolds are plentiful too.