Bought a used boat; smoking engine and water leak

[Burro237]

I just bought a 2003 VIP vision with merc Alpha1 4.3L V6. I know nothing about inboard engines. It seemed to run fine on the test run with the seller, except for a little water in the bilge, and a non operating speedo and tachometer. I was getting a very good price (at least I think so) so I went ahead and purchased it. The boat interior and hull wwas well maintained and super clean, so the way I figured it, even if I had to do some repairs on the engine it would still be worth it. So...

I took it out on the lake twice this weekend. 1st run, I still had water building up in the bilge.

However, I noticed some new problems. After about 30 minutes of being on the water, I started to notice a good bit of smoke coming from the engine compartment. I opened it up and saw that the smoke was coming out of the two hoses that connect to the air filter (pcv hoses I think theyre called?) I also started to notice my fuel guage going crazy, wildy swinging from right to left. Also my oil pressure had dropped. I stopped the engine and let it sit for a few minutes. I checked the oil and it was low. I did not have any oil with me, except an almost empty bottle of penzol 10w-30 that the previous owner left in the storage compartment (I think thats what he was putting in there).

So I went to walmart, got some oil recommended for mercruiser engines (quicksilver 25W-40) called a buddy who told me to check this and that, filled up the oil, filled up the fuel tank, drained the bilge, and put it back in the water. No smoke. Fuel guage good. 30 minutes later, smoke coming from pcv hoses, fuel guage going crazy and water in bilge.

I am planning on taking it to a mechanic to check all of the serviceable items in the transom assembly, like bellows, hoses and housings. Hopefully that will cure the leak.
2 questions: 1) about how much should it cost for a mechanic to check and replace servicable parts in gimbal assembly? 2) could the fuel guage issue and smoke be related to water in the bilge? 3)If not, what are some possible causes of the smoke and the fuel guage problem?

 

[Failproof]

Re: Bought a used boat; smoking engine and water leak

Bout all I can say is yikes. Find the leak/s, and the wiring issues. The smoke from the engine, how much are we talking about here?

 

[Silly Seville]

Re: Bought a used boat; smoking engine and water leak

Well, you have certainly asked a lot of questions, and I have a lot of answers for you. You're not going to like them.

The smoke is called blow-by. It indicates failing piston oil control rings, failing valve stem seals and/or guides, worn valve seats, or worst case scenario, a hole in the top of a piston. Oh, yeah, could also be scored cylinder walls, or broken compression rings too.

Had enough?

OK, to have your transom assembly serviced by an authorized Mercruiser tech? Whole deal top to bottom, front to back as it were...$800 to $1,200! That's just for bellows, shift cable, gimbal bearing and alignment. If you need trim senders, tack on another $150-200. If they recommend an engine drive coupler...ha ha, just walk away!

Fuel gauge swinging wildly is a ground or failing sender issue and unrelated to other problems.
Water in bilge is a big no-no. Should have never been in there on a "dry" run across lake. Definitely an issue there, and not related to engine smoke. You should have a functioning bilge pump installed as a matter of safety (and USCG regs.)

I realize you are new to this...but why do you think the PO had a nearly empty bottle of engine oil in the boat? It's because the engine is tired and burning oil. That should have been your first clue and reason to walk away. Second would have been the boat taking on water during sea trial. I really do hope you bought it for way under market value to mitigate the expense of repairing it and bringing it back to safe operating condition. Good luck!

 

[Burro237]

Re: Bought a used boat; smoking engine and water leak

Wow. I've seen them remove the lower unit and replace the bellows and gimbal housing and it looks like it doesn't take much time or effort. I've also read that is a main cause of water leaking into the bilge. Maybe I'll get a friend to help and do it myself before spending that much. I've been told that those parts need to be replaced every five or six years anyway, and I doubt they've been ever been replaced.

As for the purchase value...based on what I've read I could have the engine completely rebuilt and still be within range, or buy one of the Mercruiser rebuilt (turn key) engines and be slightly above NADA high market resale. I'd be over value, but then again, I'd have a nice boat with a new-ish warrantied engine for much cheaper than a new boat.

Since posting, I've located a broken hose. I don't know what it does. Its on the starboard side of the engine, it appears to enter from the back of the boat, and then go out again. Its a long black accordion type hose that looks like the exhaust hose of a household dryer. Its cracked in half.

I do have a bilge pump, and it works, both automatically, and manually.

I've located the source of the oil leak, I think. There traces of oil coming out of the valve covers, where the blow-by tubes connect to the covers. So it is probably one of the things you mentioned.

 

[Silly Seville]

Re: Bought a used boat; smoking engine and water leak

The accordion looking (dryer vent) hoses are your bilge venting/blower hoses. They do not go outside of the hull, no do they penetrate it. They go to vents in your gunwales.

You can absolutely do your own transom assembly labor! Very cost effective and a great learning experience. Many here have done it, and we will help you all the way!

I'm glad your bilge pump is functioning properly!

I can tell you immediately if that cracked hose you discovered, is in fact your blower hose. Just turn on your bilge blower and put your hand over the hose. You will hear/feel the air! However, this won't work if it's a passive hose. Some are vented directly from incoming airstream while the boat is moving forward. But again, if it is a white, or black 4" diameter flexible vinyl or plastic hose, it is certainly not for water.

The oil leaking from your valve covers may just be that...rotten valve cover gaskets. However, that in itself does NOT contribute to blow-by smoke. Just an additional aggravation. Engine sounds totally original and in need of a simple refreshing. BTW, does it have an hour meter in the dash or in the bilge anywhere?

 

[Silly Seville]

Re: Bought a used boat; smoking engine and water leak

I know this may be a stretch, but can you remember how long you were in the water during your trials, and how often the bilge pump kicked on and for how long it stayed on? The amount of water being thrown overboard will help indicate the severity of your leak, and possibly help to identify which bellow is shot.

BTW, exhaust bellow does NOT allow water into boat thru transom. It is only the U-joint or shift cable bellows. There are other seals/gasket that will allow for water intrusion as well, but we will dismiss those for a moment.

 

[Burro237]

Re: Bought a used boat; smoking engine and water leak

I cant remember exactly how long I had it in the water. Maybe a total of 1 1/2 hours each time. I did not really pay much attention to the bilge pump kicking on at first, so I don't know how long it took to kick on initially. But once I noticed it, it was kicking on about every 5-10 minutes. No Hour meter either. I have found that both PCV valves are loose, causing oil to leak onto the top of the engine. The oil is burning on the engine and causing a mild amount of smoke. I don't know if the engine is actually burning oil or its just the oil sitting on top of the engine thats burning. I'll start by putting a whole new seal kit in my transom, and changing the PCV valves.

 

[scarpint]

Re: Bought a used boat; smoking engine and water leak

I know this may be a stretch, but can you remember how long you were in the water during your trials, and how often the bilge pump kicked on and for how long it stayed on? The amount of water being thrown overboard will help indicate the severity of your leak, and possibly help to identify which bellow is shot.

BTW, exhaust bellow does NOT allow water into boat thru transom. It is only the U-joint or shift cable bellows. There are other seals/gasket that will allow for water intrusion as well, but we will dismiss those for a moment.

A dry-rotted transom will allow substanial water into the bilge as well. Don't bother asking me how I know, other than that's a project for this winter. Take a screw driver and press it against the fiberglass near where the lower unit exits the boat. If you get any flex, you are going to have a whole new opportunity to "refresh" your boat.

 

[Burro237]

Re: Bought a used boat; smoking engine and water leak

scarprint, thanks for the suggestion. I checked the transom around the unit pretty good, no cracking or flexing. The boat is only nine years old so I wouldn't imagine it would be rotten.

 

[Silly Seville]

Re: Bought a used boat; smoking engine and water leak

...once I noticed it, (bilge pump) it was kicking on about every 5-10 minutes.

That is definitely a u-joint bellow breach. The hole that penetrates the transom for the shift cable is smaller than the diameter of your pinky finger. I think your water was coming in faster than that would allow. FYI, there is a huge rubber seal that follows the entire circumference of the gimbal housing where it presses against the outer transom that could be bad, resulting in water intrusion (but VERY unlikely). There is also a rubber seal between the exhaust down pipe and the inner transom plate that could also fail and let water dribble in...but again highly unlikely unless the exhaust system has been extremely overheated. I bet you just need new bellows. Make SURE you get the proper shift cable kit while you're at it. No sense in doing the job half sassed.

 

[scarpint]

Re: Bought a used boat; smoking engine and water leak

scarprint, thanks for the suggestion. I checked the transom around the unit pretty good, no cracking or flexing. The boat is only nine years old so I wouldn't imagine it would be rotten.

Excellent! Good luck!

 

[BIGALF]

Re: Bought a used boat; smoking engine and water leak

If the boat is in the water and the engine is not on would there be water coming into the bilge? If not then it would not be the bellows would it? It could be just a fitting on a hose or a hole in the water hose somewhere and comes out when boat is running and pumping cooling water.

 

[Silly Seville]

Re: Bought a used boat; smoking engine and water leak

If the boat is in the water and the engine is not on would there be water coming into the bilge? If not then it would not be the bellows would it? It could be just a fitting on a hose or a hole in the water hose somewhere and comes out when boat is running and pumping cooling water.

Big Alf, you don't have any I/O maintenance or repair experience, do you? Let's not confuse folks who are trying to learn something here.
If any of the underwater gear is compromised, including u-joint and shift cable bellows, there absolutely will be water intrusion to the bilge. Whether the engine is running or not is irrelevant. Boats sink while resting at their moorings from damaged bellows.

You are right about the possibility of an engine or exhaust system cooling hose pumping water into the bilge while the engine is running. That is something that would need to be addressed as well.

I hope I didn't come across as too harsh. I just don't want people who are new to boating to think that a boat at rest cannot take on water through damaged outdrive/transom assembly components.

 

[Burro237]

Re: Bought a used boat; smoking engine and water leak

Well I found the leak. My shift cable bellow is almost completely gone. I could see it without even taking it off. About two inches of it completely missing. Other bellows look fine from the outside. I don't know how long its been like that and Im wondering if my cable might be damaged also. Don't know how I missed it. I'll try to post a pic tommorrow. I think I will take it to a mechanic to do a complete transom job. My local guy said it would be 3 hours at $95 an hour plus parts. The kits I looked up online look like theyre about $200 for everything. Its worth it to me to pay the labor if he can get it done pretty quick. I can't see about the engine until the leak is fixed.

 

[BIGALF]

Re: Bought a used boat; smoking engine and water leak

I think you are misreading what I said. I said if the boat is in the water with the engine off and no water is coming in the bildge then it is not the bellows or anything under water level. If there is a leak then it would be what you say. Water takes the path of least resistance and would leak into the bildge. I don't have to be a engine mechanic to understand that. The problem that I just had is the intake water line came loose from the fuel cooler and when I ran the engine water came into the bildge as fast as the water pump could pump it.