Don't read unless yer just bored...

[usernamekane]

I gotta '79 mariner 40hp. So it's not really a mercury engine eh? Should I be posting in Yamaha? Are there more design congruences from Mercury, or production congruences from Yamaha? Just wondering, how close do parts match up Yamaha parts and with if there's an equivalent Yamaha motor etc. And now for the good stuff, the top cylinder's shooting out water when I crank it. It (barely) runs and putters the 15 footer around the canal, but that's about it. Any chance it's just a gasket, or am I screwed? Just posting, because I'm in Gainesville, boats in Cape Canaveral, and can't ever seem to find the time fer it amongst the other weekend projects when I'm down. Would anyone else consider these things "throw-away" motors as I've heard a mechanic claim?

 

[Faztbullet]

Re: Don't read unless yer just bored...

Sounds like blown head gasket or cylinder jug has some erosion problems from salt water. Try to remove the head to inspect,if bolts start breaking put it on Craigslist for parts....

 

[dbrew]

Re: Don't read unless yer just bored...

i would have to agree pull the head it will be easy to do in a few minutes but i wouldnt buy a new one untill after i pull and inspect the cylinders morethan likely it will just be the gasket but with salt water you never know. do you leave the boat in water or do you take it out, also do you flush it when you get out for the day?

 

[usernamekane]

Re: Don't read unless yer just bored...

Thanks for the input ya'll. I keep it on a lift, run it in brackish(Indian river FL) water and always flush it, though i do sometimes leave it in all day, but still i flush it by the end of the day. I just got home, so I'm gonna go take the head off and i'll post pics if nothings too obvious. Pops told me I should take off other stuff, as the water could be coming from elsewhere. Should I take off the flat plate on the side that accesses the cylinders(exhaust plate?) if the block AND head AND gasket look OK?. He said something about rings too and I was all like...wha? Any thoughts? OK Ill repost in a little bit here.