Water rushing out from starboard side of motor

[Zim]

Alright, got the drive on, went to fire it up and it started after a bit of cranking, and runs... but theres water gushing out of the starboard side of the motor. Looks to be coming from behind the motor mount around the #2 cylinder. My oil pressure looks good, I have no water in the oil (fearing a cracked block) but it literally pours out. It doesnt look like its a crack somewhere where it might trickle a bit... this looks like an open hole in the block. Im curious where the drain plugs are and if perhaps the previous owner didnt put one back in. I felt up behind the motor mount and there seems to be some large washer of some sort... I cant get it out, only going by feel. I can barely see the are the water is coming from, but it looks like a hole about the size in diameter of a ping pong ball.

Any suggestions? The motor started up fine... and runs fine. It just leaks really bad from that area.

Oh yeah, its an 89 merc 4.3L 175hp v6 with alpha 1 1st gen on it

 

[Windykid]

Re: Water rushing out from starboard side of motor

Check to see if your missing a freeze plug!

 

[Coors]

Re: Water rushing out from starboard side of motor

Yep, core plug; replace it with brass, and check the rest of them.

 

[Zim]

Re: Water rushing out from starboard side of motor

I cant believe a core plug is as hard to get to as this one is... how big are these things?

 

[Haut Medoc]

Re: Water rushing out from starboard side of motor

Yup, core plug.....
I hope that is all it is......
No water in your oil is encouraging, though.......​

 

[Coors]

Re: Water rushing out from starboard side of motor

From 5/8" to 1 1/4"

 

[Coors]

Re: Water rushing out from starboard side of motor

i only know gm small and big, but the have some behind the flywheel also; you need to know if they are brass, or automotive. All of them..

 

[Coors]

Re: Water rushing out from starboard side of motor

i only know gm small and big,not 6 cylinder. but some have them behind the flywheel also; you need to know if they are brass, or automotive. All of them..

 

[Zim]

Re: Water rushing out from starboard side of motor

I need to figure out where they all are. This area was the only place that it was leaking water.

I guess in a way I should be happy. The guy I bought it from said he didnt winterize it and today has been a day of crossing fingers when I fired it up. I figured it couldnt be a cracked block with how much water was coming out of there... so hopefully its just this core plug.

Anyone know of a diagram anywhere that shows where these things are located so I know what Im looking for?

 

[Zim]

Re: Water rushing out from starboard side of motor

Ok, found out kinda waht they are from the manual... but these things seem near to impossible to get to. Do I have to do this with the motor out? cause seriously I have no clue how to get to the area that this thing is leaking from.

 

[Haut Medoc]

Re: Water rushing out from starboard side of motor

You may need to remove the engine to get to it.......​

 

[Zim]

Re: Water rushing out from starboard side of motor

well, i got the old one out... its definitely the core plug. Now i read you have to hammer these things back on, and use a sealant. This plug looks to be about a 1-1/4" in diameter. So how on earth do I get the new one in? Do I really have to pull the motor for a stupid little plug???

 

[Zim]

Re: Water rushing out from starboard side of motor

Actually, can i use my existing brass plug? It looks to be in good shape with no rust around the outside... will that work? And what sort of sealant, if any, do i need to make sure its in there good? I also read I dont want to bang it in too far for fear that it could block the cooling passages (dont want that). How far in does it have to go? Just flush with the lip of the plug?

 

[Coors]

Re: Water rushing out from starboard side of motor

Like Haut said; You need a straight shot at it. You can be Harbor Freight drivers, or use 1 1/16 sockets, etc. But you have to be in a position where you can see what's happening-cocked will leak; not far enough in, or too far in-leak. Permatex #2 is fine sealer. But, like you said, this is better than trashed block.

 

[russman]

Re: Water rushing out from starboard side of motor

i had mine go out on my 76 888 302 and it was behind the motor mount also, i could not get to either.
But i found a rubber expandable plug at Advanced Auto and put it in place and just tightened the bolt in the center of it and it has sealed with out any problems,now on the second season.

I had to do the same thing on my 97 f-150 also..works like a charm if you cant drive in the normal one.

good luck

 

[achris]

Re: Water rushing out from starboard side of motor

Actually, can i use my existing brass plug? It looks to be in good shape with no rust around the outside... will that work?

Stop being cheap!!! A new one is all of, well about a dollar!!!!

The old one will have the lip slightly compressed, that's how they seal. Get a new one that hasn't been used before so the edges are still in good condition. And as a couple of previous posters have said, you need a straight hit at it... Unless you bore a hole in the bottom of the boat, that ain't gonna happen.

Chris...............

 

[Coors]

Re: Water rushing out from starboard side of motor

the rubber ones are fine in auto, you just pull of the side of the road when they fail (and they will), and call for a tow. In a boat, do you want that? I don't.

 

[Coors]

Re: Water rushing out from starboard side of motor

achris knows.

 

[Zim]

Re: Water rushing out from starboard side of motor

Stop being cheap!!! A new one is all of, well about a dollar!!!!

Im not being cheap.. I was just wondering since it looked to be in good shape. Ill go buy a new one, it was only a question

 

[Haut Medoc]

Re: Water rushing out from starboard side of motor

Ya might want to try the rubber stopper for a temp fix to make sure you have no other leaks before you pull the engine....​