First ride and sprung a leak in the engine compartment. Any advice?

I

ICohen424

New Member
Jul 13, 2014
5
Long Branch, NJ
Boat Info
280 Sundancer
Engines
twin 4.3l
I just picked up my 2003 Searay 280 Sundancer and had a 4+ hour ride home... 30 minutes before we arrived an alarm went off.

We drove for almost an hour in the ocean with both engines at about 4k RPM. When we came to a no wake zone, we slowed and heard 2 beeps about once per 30 seconds or so.

After inspecting the engines, there was a leak coming from the starboard engine only.
I took off the cover to expose the air intake and just in front of it I found water spraying out from this small circular opening. The port side engine has the same looking area but no water coming from it.

I know I should wait to hear from a mechanic tomorrow but Im hoping to get some idea of what it is so I can sleep easily.
Please see the pictures and let me know if you can offer any advise as to what it is, the possible cause, and the rough cost of repair.

Thanks in advance for your time and advise!!

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From the pic it looks like a plug rusted thru... would help if u moved back a bit ... looks like your manifold. Do you know when the last time those manifolds were changed??? Your risers and sometimes manifolds need to be replaced every three to five years. If they are not, you run the risk of the water jackets rusting thru, then raw water seeps into your cylinder heads and causes hydro-lock, not good!! changing a plug out is as cheap as it gets, but if it is rusted out it would suggest that your manifolds are flaking rust. Pending on what type of setup you has, replacing both on each motor will be a few thousand just in parts. They are fairly straight forward to replace if you are a DIY type of guy. A mechanic with charge 1500 in labor.
 
It seems it was just a plug that has to do with the manifold.
Plug replaced in a few minutes and all is back to normal!!!
Whew!!

Thanks for you reply though!!!
 
You don't mention the year of your boat, but, pay close attention to sdleo26's response.

Exhaust manifolds are good for 3 -5 years. Anything longer and your engines are on borrowed time.
 
mistercomputerman said:
You don't mention the year of your boat, but, pay close attention to sdleo26's response.

Exhaust manifolds are good for 3 -5 years. Anything longer and your engines are on borrowed time.
Click to expand...

Thats a great point...
its a 2003.
I was told by the PO, the exhaust manifolds were changed at the end of last season.
Thanks!
 
I would have wanted to have seen the PO's receipt for changing the manifolds and risers.....


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