Water Leak/ Exhaust Smell at Helm

[danielm300]

I have a 1988 SeaRay Seville w/ Merc 3.0L sterndrive. Got it back on the water this summer after 2 years out of the water. Noticed several symptoms and could use some help diagnosing:

1. Exhaust smell in the helm area.
2. Soot on outside of transom near water outlet ports (lowest ports on gimble mount).
3. Water dripping from interface between lower edge of manifold and block in one spot.
4. Soot on manifold near water leak.
5. When water was drained from manifold, black flakes in water.
6. No flakes when draining block petcock.
7. No water in the oil. (good news).

Bad manifold gasket?, cracked manifold?, or cracked block?. I haven't removed the manifold yet

Thanks

 

[tpenfield]

Let's go with the easier stuff first . . .

Start with checking/replacing the gasket. Also be mindful of the gasket at the cylinder head.

While you have things apart, you can check/test for a cracked manifold.

 

[Bt Doctur]

1 and 2 a carb issue 3 there is no water transfer between the manifold and the head at the gasket 4 possible exaust leak at gasket