Need Help with Boat Motor.

[Bullitproof]

Hey guys, I just bought a 87 Sea Ray Ski Boat with a 3.7l Mercruiser. I have several problems, but one that bothers me most is I cant turn the motor a full round by hand, only about 3/4 or so, then hits something kind of solid, kind of sounds like maybe in the outdrive? Then its kind of hard to get it to start moving the other direction. All the cylinders are moving and so are the valves, pulled the plugs and valvecovers. I pulled the starter because it won't try to spin the motor either, gona have Autozone check it tomorrow.

One other major i guess problem for now is the tilt/trim will not move, I can hear it clicking but no movement.

Anyway, new here and kind of new with working on a boat, but always wanted one to tinker with, lots of car experience but not much on inboard boats. lol

I just didn't want to put a starter on it and tear up something else.

 

[cooter2506]

Re: Need Help with new/used Boat.

Re: Need Help with new/used Boat.

Remove outdrive and all sparkplugs and try again. If it turns now you have a problem in the outdrive. If not then youhave a problem in the engine. God luck and WELCOME TO IBOATS!!!!!

 

[Bullitproof]

Re: Need Help with new/used Boat.

Re: Need Help with new/used Boat.

I pulled the plugs, and took the tension off the valves, still only spins 3/4 of the way around, i can put it in gear and the prop turns when I'm turning the motor, so the outdrive is not locked up I guess. Anyone have any idea what else it could be? I can see the pistons moving with a flash light, so I'm kind of stumpped.

 

[Don S]

Re: Need Help with new/used Boat.

Re: Need Help with new/used Boat.

Did you turn the engine by hand 2 full turns? Did any water come out of the cylinders?
Put the valves back like the were and see if the engine turns with the starter.
If it doesn't pull the outdrive and try it again with the starter.

Report back with what happens. Do not try tests you think you should. They may cause more problems and mask the real problem.

 

[picklenjim]

Re: Need Help with Boat Motor.

Motor may have been hydro locked and bent a rod.Piston could be hitting against a crankshaft counterweight.Whatever it sounds like time to start disassembly to find out exactly what it is.Don't even try a starter!!Pull the drive and check again first.

 

[Bullitproof]

Re: Need Help with Boat Motor.

Yea, I have the starter in the shop, but I'm afraid to try it that way when i do get it back because its hitting something pretty hard and probably end up shreading teeth off the flywheel. Guess I'll pull the outdrive next, I'm thinking I'm gona end up pulling the motor.