engine died, wouldn't restart

jdcook

Seaman
Joined
Mar 17, 2003
Messages
68
I have a 1992 Glasstream 21' with a Merc aplha 1 4.3l v6 175 hp. I took the boat out this morning and it ran fine the whole time, about 1 hour, but as I was Idleing towards the dock the boat died and I could not get it to restart. My temperature gauge wass reading about 160 degrees. When I opened the engine compartment I noticed that there was quite a bit of water in the engine compartment, the water was pretty hot. I have had the boat out about 5 times this year and this has never happened. I could never get the boat to restart. I think that the starter may have kicked the dust.<br />Does anyone out there have any suggestions for me?<br />thanks in advance<br /> :confused: :confused:
 

david1schieber

Recruit
Joined
Apr 20, 2003
Messages
3
Re: engine died, wouldn't restart

first r/o a fuel problem check in line fuel filter if you have one.<br /><br />does it even turn over?<br />if not you may be right alternator or bad battery<br /><br />or could be as simple as a fuse<br />good luck
 

jdcook

Seaman
Joined
Mar 17, 2003
Messages
68
Re: engine died, wouldn't restart

Dave1, <br />the engine will not turn over, only because the starter is mangled, I did not have time today to take starter off and have a look at it or the fuel filter.<br /><br />whiteboy,<br />I don't know right where the water is coming from, I didn't have time to look at it today. Where should I look first to try to find the water leak? <br />Thanks.....jdcook
 

wheels4

Petty Officer 3rd Class
Joined
Dec 21, 2001
Messages
83
Re: engine died, wouldn't restart

First thing I would do is pull the plugs and make sure you dont have water in the cylinders then go from there.Hot water is not good could just be a bellows leak, but something made your engine quit.Make sure you dont have water an the cylinders first.
 

jdcook

Seaman
Joined
Mar 17, 2003
Messages
68
Re: engine died, wouldn't restart

How can I tell if I have water in my cylinders?
 

wheels4

Petty Officer 3rd Class
Joined
Dec 21, 2001
Messages
83
Re: engine died, wouldn't restart

Pull the spark plugs and turn the engine over.
 

kdmiller8251

Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Jun 7, 2002
Messages
495
Re: engine died, wouldn't restart

If the water is warm then the water is coming from the engine cooling system somewhere....<br /><br />Was the water up to the level of the starter??<br />Might have shorted it out, but I figure thats probably the least of your worries at this point..How do you know the starter is mangled?. <br /><br />Are all your hoses for the cooling system hooked up and tight??? Check your oil, is it milky?<br /><br />Tallman
 

jdcook

Seaman
Joined
Mar 17, 2003
Messages
68
Re: engine died, wouldn't restart

tallman,<br /><br />the water is warm, and i think that there might be a hose leaking. The engine oil does not look milky. I don;t believe that the water was up to the starter yet. <br />As i pulled up to the dock the engine died, I tried to restart it and it would crank, but would not fire. I let it sit for a minute and it almost turned over, as i was cranking the engine, all the sudden it it made a loud grinding noise. The noise was not from the engine, and it would not turn over again. Everyone there thought that it was the starter, at least i hope it was the starter.<br />any suggestions in what to do if it is not the starter?<br />I'm getting more nervous by the minute!!!!!!<br />thanks for your advice.
 

kdmiller8251

Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Jun 7, 2002
Messages
495
Re: engine died, wouldn't restart

Can you tell what if anything got wet around the engine? Does the starter make any noise at all when you try to start? Clicking sound or anything??? I know on my 350 there is a 50amp breaker located on the engine that if popped I dont think the engine will turn over.... I would hope to think that all that has happened is you shorted something out with the water getting back there....<br /><br />You can always try to jump the starter right off the battery to see of it will turn over....<br /><br />I feel your pain... I have been through the same crap last year... Problems with outdrive, cooling, engine, batteries, starter... You name it I have done it... LOL....<br /><br />Tallman
 

drgaul

Cadet
Joined
Apr 19, 2003
Messages
16
Re: engine died, wouldn't restart

jd don't get nervice yet, these guys are all right. first before you can find out if where the water is comming from the engine has to starte. check all battery conections and breakers as tallman said. but if you heard a load crunching or other hoarible noise your starter is loose or your drive or bushings in the starter may have bit it and possibly your flywheel, hope not. after checking every connection, pull the starter. take a pair of jumper cables and hook the -to the starter housing and the other to the positive treminal on the starter,( hold it tight ). short out the solinoid to the positive lead. starter turned fine, good. did'nt turn fine or smooth and quit, get another one. auto parts stores can help check it to. good check your flywheel for bad teeth ( look through the starter hole )now, there ok good, there ground up looking, Dam-replace it. on to the rest, fuel and spark. getting fuel, good. no, check fuel filter, then cracked lines check all the way to the tank, ok. no cracks, check fuel pump for lack of presure. good presure, great. no, that sucks replace it. also some fuel systems have a in line filter and one in the carb. good you have fuel now. did it start, yes great. no, well heck. check the dist-wires, all tight, good, if not you know what to do. no spark, check the cap,rotor, and module. once again to the auto parts store they can check the module, replace the defective item, you should have spark, fuel and it should turn over. great. start it (i dont have to tell you to hook up the water) check freeze plugs on the side of the block, all hoses, exhaust manifolds, water pump on the engine. found it, good you know what to do now. by the way there is freeze plugs on the back of the block to, hope it ain't one of those. if water sprayed on the engine it could have gotten in the carb and stalled it or the ignition could have gotten wet. when you check the plugs you will see water on then if there is an enternal leak or rust god forbit if it sits long enough. i don't think that you would have an enternal leak though. but if water was spraying on the engine it could have went down the carb and gotten in the cylinders though. if so just turn it over with the plugs out once the starter is fixed. good luck. drg :cool:
 
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