Smoke/Steam from Front of Engine

[Baker1953]

Hello all. Newbie here. I've got a 2003 Mercruiser 3.0. Last year I put new plugs, wires rotor and cap and tried to to time the engine. It started and ran for a while then made a knocking sound and lost power. I winterized it stored it. Today I started over again and found tdc on #1 piston confirmed compression stroke and found the timing mark was at 12* btdc. I also confirmed firing order. I put oil down the cylinders and turned it over and there is smoke and a loud hiss coming from where the intake attaches to the head on the front of the engine. Also back fire from the carb.
Thought I would post to get some ideas. I'm thinking a bad gasket?
Thanks

 

[RJLeuwen]

Re: Smoke/Steam from Front of Engine

Think you need to do a compression test

 

[cr2k]

Re: Smoke/Steam from Front of Engine

You did start it on muffs? (water to the engine)

12* BTDC is a lot of advance for todays fuels. You should be using at least 93 for that.

 

[Baker1953]

Re: Smoke/Steam from Front of Engine

Yes I did have muffs on. I will do a compression test and go from there.
Thanks

 

[dubs283]

Re: Smoke/Steam from Front of Engine

uhhh, yeah....

the correct timing procedure for your engine can be found in the proper OEM manual

with electronic ignition on your 3.0L engine, "trying" to set timing is the first step towards disaster

i believe once you have jumpered the correct wires, the correct timing spec is around 2 degrees AFTER tdc for that engine

at 12 degrees BEFORE tdc you are gonna blow a head gasket really quick!!

 

[LilRedNeckGirl]

Re: Smoke/Steam from Front of Engine

backfire from carb.... can you time this engine 180 degrees off? typically, if im correct, backfire from carb = timing way off, stuck open or damaged intake valve, ....
and the loud hissing sound, not good news, thats a seal/gasket leaking.

 

[rickryder]

Re: Smoke/Steam from Front of Engine

Yes check compression first, Your manual will give you the proper steps to time the engine....

 

[Baker1953]

Re: Smoke/Steam from Front of Engine

I checked compression tonight The results;
#1 180 #
#2 160#
#3 90#
#4 180#
I have a hand held tester and I did #3 3 times to be sure I had a good seal.
I did not squirt oil in the cyenders and retest. I will do that tomorrow.

With these compression numbers and my original post any opinions? I don't have water in the oil because I have not started it.

One more question, Which way do I turn the distributor to retard the timing?
Thanks

 

[thewarden]

Re: Smoke/Steam from Front of Engine

#3 doesnt look good
leak down test might tell u more
turn distributor clockwise to retard timing

 

[Baker1953]

Re: Smoke/Steam from Front of Engine

Ok Thanks