mercruiser 3.0 water leak

[cmanion]

I am looking at buying a 99 maxum that has a water leak coming from what appears to be the manifold gasket. there is some rust spots running down the side of the block. are these gaskets hard to replace and what do i need to know before doing any of this.

 

[HT32BSX115]

Re: mercruiser 3.0 water leak

Howdy,




Where exactly does the water appear to be running, and what part of the country are you in?


Welcome to iBoats!



Rick

 

[cmanion]

Re: mercruiser 3.0 water leak

The water runs straight down the block and get collected by the automatic belge pump. we live in the midwest. west central illinois

 

[cmanion]

Re: mercruiser 3.0 water leak

if my block is cracked (just say it is) on the exhaust manifold side would i be getting water in my oil?

 

[HT32BSX115]

Re: mercruiser 3.0 water leak

The 3.0L Merc engine frequently cracks up under the combined intake/exhaust manifold right below the head gasket. It looks like a manifold or head gasket leak.

The only way to tell for sure is to remove the manifold.

If you're looking at this boat to buy, have them guarentee the engine.

A replacement engine will cost somewhere around $4500 + labor to install

http://www.michiganmotorz.com/mercruiser-complete-engine-package-p-303.html

A long block is around $2000-3000 + labor to install.


You don't always get water in the oil. The 3.0L is also not a very good candidate for an epoxy fix because the block where it cracks is structural.

 

[needasride]

Re: mercruiser 3.0 water leak

I've got a similar leak in my 3.0... although VERY small leak, no water actually makes it into the bilge, it seems to evaporate before getting there. I can see a tiny bit of water around the head on the opposite side of the manifolds and rust down the side of the block and down the side of the long cover on that side of the block.. assuming that is the cam/lifter cover....

No water in the oil.

I did not spot this when I bought the boat, I'm about 100% sure the guy I bought it from was aware of it... mad Had I have seen the rust on the side of the block, I'd own a different boat today but...

I'm HOPING that a head gasket replace this winter will solve this.. Boat runs quite well, though an encounter with a sand bar a week ago seems now to have resulted in a stuck (open) thermostat, which I'm about to replace today..

Guess I'm not really asking anything or adding anything to this thread but thot I'd chime in.



Shortz