Did I buy a junk heap ? HELP !!!!

[always]

ok long story, I just bought this 1988 chris craft with a 3.0 mercrusier the guy said it ran great. I started it at home with muffs on it and it didn't idle at all but I ran it for 10 mins and the temp went to 165. I tried it again about 1 hour later and the temp went to 220. Today I checked to see why it wouldn't idle and noticed the choke does not open ,so I adjusted it and it was better at idle. Next I ran the motor again up to 4000 rpm and it seems to run hotlike 220 and spit through the carb almost like a bad cam. I noticed a milky like stuff on the oil filler cap, the oil has been changed recently. So did I get stung or is it something less expensive than a head job, HELP Any ideas ?

 

[Blk-n-Blu]

Re: Did I buy a junk heap ? HELP !!!!

If you run the motor at 4000 RPM on the Muffs it will be toast in no time. Gunk in the oil fill could be condensation. Once it runs at operating temp 160* for a while it will burn off the condensation. Keep an eye on the oil level.

 

[libellav15]

Re: Did I buy a junk heap ? HELP !!!!

Hi buddy

was it still on the muffs when you were running at 4000rpm?

if it was you could be making new damage unnecesarily.

Have you checked the impeller and circulation pump?

Plenty of water coming out with exhaust?

Any steam coming out of exhaust?

Have you checked compressions?

Just a few ideas bud.

Adam

 

[libellav15]

Re: Did I buy a junk heap ? HELP !!!!

great minds think alike blk-n-blu!

 

[always]

Re: Did I buy a junk heap ? HELP !!!!

I just kind of jumped it to 4000 didn't stay there. There is a lot of water and steam too. Why does the motor seem to be breaking up? The temp is all over the place 160, 180,220.

 

[sethjon]

Re: Did I buy a junk heap ? HELP !!!!

I just kind of jumped it to 4000 didn't stay there. There is a lot of water and steam too. Why does the motor seem to be breaking up? The temp is all over the place 160, 180,220.

First, change the thermostat. It probably needs it and could be your problem. Why the temp jumps around is only a guess at this point. After the tstat change check for any blockage in the hoses and don't go over 2k RPM unless you want to shred the motor.

 

[airdvr1227]

Re: Did I buy a junk heap ? HELP !!!!

Compression check will tell you loads about this motor.

I'd bet you have a cracked block. The milky junk inside your motor is a mix of oil and water.

 

[always]

Re: Did I buy a junk heap ? HELP !!!!

Ok I will change the tstat. How can I tell if I already toasted the motor?

 

[Blk-n-Blu]

Re: Did I buy a junk heap ? HELP !!!!

while its running on the muffs at no more than 1200 RPM in neutral you should get warm to hot water within a minute or two (thermostat opening)from transom area and prop. it should stabilize aroun 160-165* running at that RPM, while its running have a look around the engine for water leaks. watch temp gauge, check oil.

 

[HappierWet]

Re: Did I buy a junk heap ? HELP !!!!

Pull the dipstick and check the oil.....NOW.

You previously stated the oil was recently changed. If it has gone milky already something (probably the block) is cracked. If it still looks like oil, cool.
Start checking the t-stat, impeller, water pump. Don't run the rpm up just let it idle or a little above and watch the temp.
Get some more info and folks on here can probably help you out.
I don't have one so I don't know first hand but my understanding is parts for that 3 liter are hard to find.
Good Luck

 

[always]

Re: Did I buy a junk heap ? HELP !!!!

The oil still looks nice and clean. What is the best way to check the impeller & waterpump? Will an auto parts store have the tstat?

 

[z1nonlyone]

Re: Did I buy a junk heap ? HELP !!!!

The oil still looks nice and clean. What is the best way to check the impeller & waterpump? Will an auto parts store have the tstat?

Just a note from personal experiance,,,,,,,You can't check the quality of the oil by looking at the dip stick!!! You must either drain the oil or look at the oil in the valve area by looking in the filler cap.

 

[always]

Re: Did I buy a junk heap ? HELP !!!!

ok, so how do I know if the raw waterpump is junk?

 

[IES99]

Re: Did I buy a junk heap ? HELP !!!!

ok, so how do I know if the raw waterpump is junk?

You have to take the stern drive apart. This is a regular maintenance item anyway and you need to do it.

If there is water in the oil (and I think you can usually tell be looking at the dipstick) you have a bigger problem that could be block, exhaust manifold, riser, etc.

Reply to this message above:

"I don't have one so I don't know first hand but my understanding is parts for that 3 liter are hard to find."

These Mercruiser 3.0 liters are the most common sterndrive I/O. I have a 1988. Parts are everywhere and very easy to come by, including online vendors.

Good luck.

 

[always]

Re: Did I buy a junk heap ? HELP !!!!

no water in the oil so I think that I am safe there. I will change the water pump & tstat and cross my fingers.

 

[always]

Re: Did I buy a junk heap ? HELP !!!!

does anyone have a link for R & R the waterpump

 

[IES99]

Re: Did I buy a junk heap ? HELP !!!!

does anyone have a link for R & R the waterpump

Here you go:

http://mercstuff.com/howdoi.htm

 

[always]

Re: Did I buy a junk heap ? HELP !!!!

WOW IES99 Thanks for that link that is a huge help.
Also a BIG Thank-you to everyone else

 

[IES99]

Welcome

Welcome

WOW IES99 Thanks for that link that is a huge help.
Also a BIG Thank-you to everyone else

You are welcome. That link is well worth bookmarking, isn't it? The diagrams are a big, big help. Enjoy the doing it yourself

 

[honeys money]

Re: Did I buy a junk heap ? HELP !!!!

wish I could find a link like that for a SX volvo, that is nice.