Water leaking right below carburetor on 3.0 Mercruiser

[pastorowc]

Started my 1998 Bayliner 1950 with 3.0 mercruiser today and noticed water leaking right below the carburetor on the engine. I let it run for a while and all gauges looked to be ok.

1. Can I run the boat with this type of leak if it's not overheating and oil pressure stays good?
2. Any idea what might be wrong?

 

[not enuf toys]

Re: Water leaking right below carburetor on 3.0 Mercruiser

not a professional opinion - hard for me to see all the way but is looking like a gasket leak. if actually water that you are seeing, I would think head gasket (water is in the water jackets of the block), which in turn a blown head gasket would usually mean heat issues.

how do you know its not overheating? on muffs in the driveway doesn't count

 

[fishrdan]

Re: Water leaking right below carburetor on 3.0 Mercruiser

Need better pictures that shows the leak...

Was the engine winterized and do you live in an area that freezes?

If the manifold is cracked, replace it. Or, you could have more serious issues. Is there a leak behind the manifold, dripping down the block, or just the manifold? (If the manifold is cracked, I'd investigate for other cracks, block, exhaust elbow, etc.)

Check the engine oil, is it milky or "overfull"?

 

[Texasmark]

Re: Water leaking right below carburetor on 3.0 Mercruiser

You are in the outboard forum. If you move to the mercruiser forum you may get more responses.

Mark