My 4.3 is steaming and wont idle

Clownfish

Recruit
Joined
Jun 17, 2011
Messages
3
I have a 1996 mercruiser vortech v6 4.3L and its blowing steam after about 1 or 2 mins after i start it up it coming out of the center of the propeller and a little bit around where the water pees at two spots behind the stern. i dont remember it ever doing this before and also it does not want to idle it will run fine when u rev it up past 1500 or so rpms im thinking its getting water into the cylinders causing the steam and idleing problem. also when the boat sits for a week week and a half or so it gets water in the cylinders both sides and some times only one side and some times its not in the same cylinders. i had been taking it to the lake still even when it was haveing the water in the clinders cause i would just remove the spark plugs to drain it out before going to the lake if the water was in there. as long as i would crank it a few times a week it wouldnt get the water in there to prevent it from starting so i never tryed to fix it or take it some where to have the problem fixed and i didnt have the extra cash so i just ran it like that and it was fine. but now im getting this steam and it not wanting to idle so i got to do something about it this season i have not gone this season because of it.
 

krisnowicki

Lieutenant Junior Grade
Joined
Jul 11, 2007
Messages
1,172
Re: My 4.3 is steaming and wont idle

bad manifolds or/and risers plus the rings hate you by now
 
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