OMC chevy 4 cylinder siezing at 75% power

Gacannon

Recruit
Joined
May 25, 2007
Messages
1
I have a OMC chevy 4 cylinder that will run at idle or low power all day long but if you increase power above say 30%, it will sieze the engine after about 30 seconds. The engine is siezed and the starter will not turn it over at all. The engine looses power, shutters and siezes. About a minute or so later, the starter will turn it over and it will restart. Water flow is good into the exhaust manifold. I noted that the rubber hose feeding the exhaust manifold was very hard to squeeze at power. Temp indicator shows 160 deg the entire time. Almost acts like the exhaust / water exit is blocked or something. Should the rubber hose feeding the exhaust manifold be hard as a rock with pressure when its dumping down into the lower unit? Engine seems to be controlling at thermostat temp and the engine does not feel hot. I am beginning to think the exhaust / water dump passage is partially blocked. Maybe back pressure is stopping water flow? Engine was rebuilt and performed well three times out. Fourth time down in the gulf, we went aground several times before getting out to the bay. Noticed the water temp dipped down for a few minutes at one time. After running aground in soft sand several times, we opened the throttle for the first time. thats when the engine first siezed up. It is siezed! starter wont budge it until it cools for a few minutes. Same thing every time now. timming is right, carb replaced thinking lean mixture but no change. Thermostat replace for the heck of it. Water flow verified into the exhaust manifold at at least 5 GPM. Note the rubber feed hose to the exhaust manifold is rock hard at 75% power. why so much pressure on this hose? Back pressure?

Ga cannon
 

Boatin Bob

Lieutenant Commander
Joined
Sep 24, 2001
Messages
1,858
Re: OMC chevy 4 cylinder siezing at 75% power

I wondder if your exhaust flapper has fallen off and is blocking the exhaust? See item # 81 in pic
 

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Coors

Captain
Joined
Dec 8, 2006
Messages
3,367
Re: OMC chevy 4 cylinder siezing at 75% power

Bob, I couldn't visualize it; I think you solved it.
 

whywhyzed

Banned
Joined
Feb 1, 2005
Messages
1,871
Re: OMC chevy 4 cylinder siezing at 75% power

Good thinking Bob - makes sense - the water is backing up into the exhaust and locking the engine. Change the oil when you get it fixed. It will have some moisture in it from water washing down the rings and into the oil.

That picture is cobra. If you have a stringer, the flapper is different. Of course, the stringer's flapper couldn't really block the exhaust the way it's designed.
 

Lubeboy

Cadet
Joined
Aug 6, 2009
Messages
29
Re: OMC chevy 4 cylinder siezing at 75% power

I am having exact same problem with my 1987 MC 260 V-8...

Starts, idles, but has sieze like stop when I try to raise idle, but starts right back up.

Help?!
 

cooter2506

Senior Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Apr 8, 2007
Messages
733
Re: OMC chevy 4 cylinder siezing at 75% power

Lubeboy start a new thread. Dont bring up an old thread.
 

jtybt

Senior Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Aug 5, 2009
Messages
730
Re: OMC chevy 4 cylinder siezing at 75% power

Sounds like hydrolocking to me. The word seizing sounds like then engine stops solid with no other symptoms. Pull the plugs, check for water as you tun it over then do comp test.
 
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