exhaust seals

[onebadc10]

I have just purchased a 1988 boat with a omc 4.3<br />The engine got water in the cylinders when i ran it last and after some inspecting I found that one side had no exhaust seal and the other was bad.My question is after replacing them am i going to have to be real paticular with the boat or do the seals work well .

 

[Don S]

Re: exhaust seals

If you are talking about the exhaust shutters in the Y pipe, they do not seal completely and only really stop water from getting into the exhaust when the engine is not running. When waves/wakes or backing the boat into the water off the trailer causes water to move uphill into the exhaust the shutters prevents "Most" of the water from getting there. When the engine is running, the exhaust forces the water out. <br />If you have bad exhaust manifolds or risers, or bad gaskets between them, water can leak into the manifold and into the engine. The manifolds and risers also only last 5 to 10 years at best.

 

[onebadc10]

Re: exhaust seals

The manifold and risers are one piece and appear to be in good shape. The boat only has 240 hours on it. I came to a fast stop and cut the engine off to help another boater and when restarting the engine it was locked. I hope the missing and worn seals were the cause.

 

[onebadc10]

Re: exhaust seals

This is my first inboard outboard. I also have a searay with a outboard and am trying to decide which to sell and keep.

 

[Don S]

Re: exhaust seals

I came to a fast stop and cut the engine off to help another boater and when restarting the engine it was locked.

There's your problem. That's a sure way to get water in the engine...........Never shut it off, just go to neutral.<br />Even with only 240 hours, the metal inside the manifolds have been rusting since 88. Hours isn't the only thing. They are probably ok, but there is no way to look at them and tell what the inside looks like.