1989 Mercruiser 4.3L drip drip

[rickyvols68]

Getting my boat de-winterized, my boat mechanic called and told me the boat is ready, BUT... he said there is a small water leak (said it was a slow drip) around the bell housing, and asked what I wanted to do about it.

Should I be concerned about a "small leak"? or just let it go...

Also said they can't get it to idle down, it has a 4 bbl Holley on it, why on earth would a certified mechanic not be able to adjust the idle?

Thanks very much for any reply's.

 

[81 Checkmate]

Re: 1989 Mercruiser 4.3L drip drip

Getting my boat de-winterized, my boat mechanic called and told me the boat is ready, BUT... he said there is a small water leak (said it was a slow drip) around the bell housing, and asked what I wanted to do about it.

Should I be concerned about a "small leak"? or just let it go...

Also said they can't get it to idle down, it has a 4 bbl Holley on it, why on earth would a certified mechanic not be able to adjust the idle?

Thanks very much for any reply's.

Would that be the flywheel cover at the back of the motor?
My first thought is a core plug is leaking at the back of the motor behind the flywheel cover...from an improper winterization.

 

[tpenfield]

Re: 1989 Mercruiser 4.3L drip drip

Bell housing . . . Outdrive ???

 

[MikDee]

Re: 1989 Mercruiser 4.3L drip drip

Would that be the flywheel cover at the back of the motor?
My first thought is a core plug is leaking at the back of the motor behind the flywheel cover...from an improper winterization.

My thoughts exactly,,,

 

[Bondo]

Re: 1989 Mercruiser 4.3L drip drip

Getting my boat de-winterized, my boat mechanic called and told me the boat is ready, BUT... he said there is a small water leak (said it was a slow drip) around the bell housing, and asked what I wanted to do about it.

Should I be concerned about a "small leak"? or just let it go...

Also said they can't get it to idle down, it has a 4 bbl Holley on it, why on earth would a certified mechanic not be able to adjust the idle?

Thanks very much for any reply's.

Ayuh,.... Hard to say, that's Not it's original carb,....

 

[Bt Doctur]

Re: 1989 Mercruiser 4.3L drip drip

Should you be concerned when the batttery dies, the pumps stop, and its a fish hotel?

 

[achris]

Re: 1989 Mercruiser 4.3L drip drip

Getting my boat de-winterized, my boat mechanic called and told me the boat is ready, BUT... he said there is a small water leak (said it was a slow drip) around the bell housing, and asked what I wanted to do about it.

Should I be concerned about a "small leak"? or just let it go...

Also said they can't get it to idle down, it has a 4 bbl Holley on it, why on earth would a certified mechanic not be able to adjust the idle?

Thanks very much for any reply's.

Yes. It indicates a possible cracked engine block. You need to ascertain from him EXACTLY how the winterising process was done. If there wasn't a step in that process that involve COMPLETELY draining the engine and manifolds of water, and making sure the drains were clear by poking them with a small screwdriver or nail or piece of wire, then he may be in for a block replacement for you..

If the intake is also cracked and allowing air into the engine then that could explain the inability to get the idle speed down. And you need to ditch that holley. Get a proper marine carb on, something like an Edlebrock 1409...

Chris......

 

[Watermann]

Re: 1989 Mercruiser 4.3L drip drip

Holley carbs have a problem with the body warping and causing huge vacuum leaks that gasket replacement won't cure. Take the above advice and ditch it for an Edelbrock carb.

As you can tell there's some confusion about if the mechanic has his terminology right when he says the bell housing has a slow drip. Clarify and ask if the water is dripping inside the boat at the back of the motor. It seems odd the mechanic wouldn't track it down for you and say what is actually wrong. You may want to have another shop take a look and diagnose things better.

 

[Bt Doctur]

Re: 1989 Mercruiser 4.3L drip drip

These no such thing as a "slow leak". You need a new mechanic who can diagnose a problem. If this is a leak ,on land, using muffs it narrows it down. Cannot be a bellows or shift boot issue. It can be a hole in the exaust Y pipe, or a loose /almost pushed out core plug(never saw one partially pushed out of a block) or a cracked block.
If its in the water with a leak, it could be main bellows, shift boot, improper mounting of outdrive, mounting gasket plus all of the above.

 

[Scott Danforth]

Re: 1989 Mercruiser 4.3L drip drip

Any leak is a bad thing. Did the mechanic indicate what the problem is, or just simply say "what do you want to do about it". if the later is the case, you need a new mechanic.

I grew up on holley carbs. just like anything man made, they can fail. common causes of idle issues that you can not adjust are worn throttle plate shafts and shaft bores allowing air to enter, improper adjustment, and plugged passages.

a good mechanic should be able to diagnose the carb issue as well.

 

[rickyvols68]

Re: 1989 Mercruiser 4.3L drip drip

Thanks for all of the responses.

Update....When I went to pick the boat up the mysterious leak had stopped, therefore they couldn't point it out to me, also something I didn't mention in the OP, they had to put a new exhaust manifold on it because the old one had a small crack in it. The engine runs great and has never run hot, I've had the boat for 3 years.

As for the idle issue, the previous owner put the Holley on it, the homemade throttle linkage bracket was poorly built, mounted too far back to prevent being able to idle it down. I took care of it by making a new bracket.

Question, will an Edelbrock mount on the same intake as the Holley?

 

[achris]

Re: 1989 Mercruiser 4.3L drip drip

Thanks for all of the responses.

Update....When I went to pick the boat up the mysterious leak had stopped, therefore they couldn't point it out to me, also something I didn't mention in the OP, they had to put a new exhaust manifold on it because the old one had a small crack in it. The engine runs great and has never run hot, I've had the boat for 3 years.

Time to start asking the hard questions. Ask to see the manifolds, with the small crack.. Run the engine and keep an eye on the oil... ANY sign of milkiness may indicate that there is also a 'small crack' in the block...I have ONLY ever heard of a manifold crack for 2 reasons. the first was cured with a water reversal kit (and ONLY applies to the old in-line 6 engines), and the 2nd reason is water left in over a freeze...

As for the idle issue, the previous owner put the Holley on it, the homemade throttle linkage bracket was poorly built, mounted too far back to prevent being able to idle it down. I took care of it by making a new bracket.

Question, will an Edelbrock mount on the same intake as the Holley?

Yes. The Edelbrock has mountings for both square bore and spread bore manifolds....