1997 Mercruiser 4.3 LXH Gen + (210 HP) getting water in cylinders 3,4,&5

[BB71]

Starts fine, runs great for about 45 minutes then bogs and shuts down. Pull the plugs and there is water in each cylinder but not in the oil. turn the engine over, blow the water out (or shopvac ), and install new plugs... runs fine for about 45 minutes... same thing....

Now...

Is this a head problem, on both sides ? or could a block keep a hairline fracture that opens up and closes to make this happen... not just once but 3 or 4 times... (each time the previous owner thought it was fixed... idled it for about 30 minutes... took it to the water, put it in and ran it as usual... then experienced the same issues)

I am not familiar with these engines enough to know what may be causing this besides a block issue. Although, most everyone I have spoken to about it disagrees.

So I am eager to hear any and all thoughts you may have (pertaining to this issue)

thanks!!!!

 

[Don S]

Re: 1997 Mercruiser 4.3 LXH Gen + (210 HP) getting water in cylinders 3,4,&5

Was this in the water or on muffs? Idle or while running?

 

[dubs283]

Re: 1997 Mercruiser 4.3 LXH Gen + (210 HP) getting water in cylinders 3,4,&5

exhaust risers, manifolds, or gaskets have failed or are failing or...

water shutters in the exhaust failed or failing or...

cracked head(s)

have you done a compression/leakdown test??

you are aware that #3 & #5 are on port side, #4 stbd side??

 

[BB71]

Re: 1997 Mercruiser 4.3 LXH Gen + (210 HP) getting water in cylinders 3,4,&5

I have not ran any test as of yet, I am going to pick the boat up tomorrow. Actually havent paid the gentleman for it as of yet. I am aware of the opposing side of the engine issue which lent more to the exhaust issues more than heads.. or so my two cents worth is saying so... but that is why i am here... with little information trying to figure if i really want to buy this thing in its current state.

oh, and this was while in the water running and playing ...

 

[Bondo]

Re: 1997 Mercruiser 4.3 LXH Gen + (210 HP) getting water in cylinders 3,4,&5

I have not ran any test as of yet, I am going to pick the boat up tomorrow. Actually havent paid the gentleman for it as of yet. I am aware of the opposing side of the engine issue which lent more to the exhaust issues more than heads.. or so my two cents worth is saying so... but that is why i am here... with little information trying to figure if i really want to buy this thing in its current state.

oh, and this was while in the water running and playing ...

Ayuh,... 'bout the only other possibility is a cracked Intake,...
But they usually dump water into the oil...

 

[BB71]

Re: 1997 Mercruiser 4.3 LXH Gen + (210 HP) getting water in cylinders 3,4,&5

if it is a cracked intake... would $1,000 fix it?

 

[Bondo]

Re: 1997 Mercruiser 4.3 LXH Gen + (210 HP) getting water in cylinders 3,4,&5

if it is a cracked intake... would $1,000 fix it?

Ayuh,... Considerin' it could be Anything on the top of the motor, that'll cover some of it...
For all We know, it could be the intake, the exhaust manifolds, risers, 'n heads...

 

[BB71]

Re: 1997 Mercruiser 4.3 LXH Gen + (210 HP) getting water in cylinders 3,4,&5

I am picking it up for about 1500-1800 under NADA...whatever that means... i thought maybe i would have a thousand or so to put into repairs if necessary without regret. it does have a new SE116 stern drive installed about 3 yrs ago and used only a few times since.

 

[Don S]

Re: 1997 Mercruiser 4.3 LXH Gen + (210 HP) getting water in cylinders 3,4,&5

A free boat with that problem would be over priced. Keep looking.

 

[BB71]

Re: 1997 Mercruiser 4.3 LXH Gen + (210 HP) getting water in cylinders 3,4,&5

Don, I thought about what you said and agreed! Now I have to figure out how to change my username here....LOL

BTW- A close friend has a 1979 Skeeter 16' with new carpet, upholstery, cover, batteries, fresh tune-up on a 98 model Johnson Fast Strike 150 HP outboard, bearing buddies on single axle trailer, and has been garage kept. Said if we wanted to take it to play in and see how much we were going to use a boat he would sell it to me for $2,400. I checked the compression in all 6 cyl and it ranges from 86-92lbs. has a new power block in it. started right up. and everything is functional, even the trim control from the front panel, trolling motor, and 12/24volt selector switch and all work.

is it worth what they want? I know he has over 3500 in it but that doesnt mean anything on a boat. also, where can i find skeeter manuals on the boat. it has a hummingbird depth finder in the dash factory that i would like to know how to operate. and just for the sake of having the manuals would be nice.