cooling water getting into number 2 cylinder

[capt jr]

I own a 1988 mercury 75 hp 4 cyl 2 stroke. Cooling water is getting into the number 2 cylinder. Replaced gasket and retorqued but still no luck. Please help. Motor is very hard to start and will not idle but runs good at high speed.Hope one of you mercury guys can help me out.

 

[Kenny Bush]

Re: cooling water getting into number 2 cylinder

Is compression OK? Sounds like you may have a warped head. Pull head back off and inspect mating surfaces.

 

[jim dozier]

Re: cooling water getting into number 2 cylinder

You can have the cylinder head decked for a nominal fee at a automotive machine shop. I assume when you said gasket you meant cylinder head gasket. Did you remove all the old gasket, degrease the mating surfaces, lubricate the head bolts, and use a torque wrench to manual specifications?<br /><br />While you're at it check the compression and see if you need a valve job. Among other things it could help your idle.

 

[ledgefinder]

Re: cooling water getting into number 2 cylinder

What gasket did you replace? The head doesn't come off on those (1988 Mercury 75hp 4cylinder). You do have a removable (I think) cooling water jacket cover over the head, and another one over the exhaust. Are you saying cooling water is spraying on the outside of the plug (so you can see the water), or is the water in the cylinder itself?

 

[jim dozier]

Re: cooling water getting into number 2 cylinder

I am stupid I read 4 cylinder and though 4-stroke I didn't think they had Mercury 4-strokes back then. If theres no cylinder head maybe water is backing up the exhaust ports.

 

[capt jr]

Re: cooling water getting into number 2 cylinder

To Ledgefinder. I replaced gasket on the cooling water jacket cover and retorqued to 120 inch pounds. Also replaced gasket on exhaust cover as well. Checked both surfaces with a straight edge and they appear to be ok. Number 2 plug looks very clean and cylinder appears to be wet with cooling water.Seems like water is spraying in there somehow but cant figure out how. Thanks for your reply. Anything else I might be able to check? Thanks again

 

[ledgefinder]

Re: cooling water getting into number 2 cylinder

My best guess is that it's coming from the exhaust side, sorry not to be more help. Suggest you try forum at "John's Old Mercury" website (though most of their motors are older). They've discussed this from time to time (water getting into Mercs that have an integral head).