evinrude v4 powerhead

dieselcat

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Feb 1, 2009
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351
i have an 88 spl rude and i took it to the shop cause it had a water leak that i couldn't pin point.The fix it man called and said my powerhead has a small crack about an inch long under the port side head.I asked if he can fix he says,No.I cannot fix it but i could probibly be fixed by someone who welds that sort of thing.
I guess my ? is,has anyone else ever had a crack welded on a powerhead?

Thanks,
Shane.
 

Faztbullet

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Mar 2, 2008
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15,931
Re: evinrude v4 powerhead

This is a pretty common problem on the V-4, no big deal to weld just have to pull the powerhead from midsection..
 

emdsapmgr

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Dec 9, 2005
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11,551
Re: evinrude v4 powerhead

Yes, a rare, but not uncommon failure on the V4 crossflows. Perhaps all the water did not properly drain out and it froze. The engine probably runs ok, but the leaking water is an inconvenience. The failure is usually in the water jacket, which is a non-critical part of the block. I'd follow Fastbullet's advice. Pull the power head and the head on that side and have an experienced aluminum welder weld up the block. When you have the head off, check that cylinder at the bottom to make sure it is intact (not cracked also.) You should be fine with the repair.
 

dieselcat

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Re: evinrude v4 powerhead

this is just what i wanted to hear,i didn't think it was a big deal cause i used the motor like this most of last year without any performance loss.Any other advice to go along with this?
 

dieselcat

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Re: evinrude v4 powerhead

Yes, a rare, but not uncommon failure on the V4 crossflows. Perhaps all the water did not properly drain out and it froze. The engine probably runs ok, but the leaking water is an inconvenience. The failure is usually in the water jacket, which is a non-critical part of the block. I'd follow Fastbullet's advice. Pull the power head and the head on that side and have an experienced aluminum welder weld up the block. When you have the head off, check that cylinder at the bottom to make sure it is intact (not cracked also.) You should be fine with the repair.

The dealer is pulling the power head and I'm going to pick it up prolly tomorrow and take it to get welded.is it also necessary to pull the head on the side that needs welded?What else could i do to make sure all the water is out at the end of the season to prevent this from happening again?

Thanks,
Shane.
 

GatorMike

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Aug 3, 2003
Messages
902
Re: evinrude v4 powerhead

this is just what i wanted to hear,i didn't think it was a big deal cause i used the motor like this most of last year without any performance loss.Any other advice to go along with this?

You are doing the right thing having it fixed, don't look at it as an inconvienience. Read the last few threads I posted. I was finding a little bit of rust in one of the cylinders, figured water was getting in somewhere but she ran great and I was in no hurry to fix it. The motor rusted up after sitting a few months and now I am rebuilding. It's more than an inconvienence especially if you are operating in salt water.
 

dieselcat

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Feb 1, 2009
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Re: evinrude v4 powerhead

Far as i know it's not getting in the cylinder,it's cracked under the head but i haven't seen it in person yet to say where at under the head?I will defiantly look in the cylinder for any sign of water getting in there when i remove the head.
Any advice on what i can do to make sure all the water is out of the motor for next season,so this does not happen again?
 

ezeke

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Sep 19, 2003
Messages
12,532
Re: evinrude v4 powerhead

The motor is self draining but needs to be in the running position to drain properly, so don't store it tilted up.
 

dieselcat

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Feb 1, 2009
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351
Re: evinrude v4 powerhead

Went and picked up the PH yesterday.The crack didn't look to bad other than its not supposed to be there.The water jacket it all that was cracked,it is an inch and a half at most.i took it to a machine shop to have it welded so i'm sure they will do it right.I bet it happened last winter because i did just what was said above,stored it with motor up.:eek:
Should be done either tomorrow or monday so ill let you all know how it turned out.
 

dieselcat

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351
Re: evinrude v4 powerhead

OK,went and picked up my powerhead yesterday and it looks great.taking it to the fixit man today so he can puter back together.
 
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