Intermittent water in 4 cylinders on starboard side.

dan313

Active Member
Sep 27, 2009
246
Long Island
Boat Info
2005 270 Amberjack
Engines
350 Mag Bravo3
I have an interesting issue. 350 MPI 230 Hours. Manifolds and Risers were changed 5 years ago. Three weeks ago my engine locked up. Turned out water in 4 cylinders on the starboard side. I Changed the manifolds, risers and flappers on Monday thinking that was the problem. They didn't look bad but I changed them anyway and Bay tested. Went for a 45 minute ride at various rpms and it ran great. Got back to the dock and checked to make sure there wasn't any oil in the water and all was good. Went down to the dock yesterday morning and went fishing. Ran for 35 minutes between 3900 and 4200 rpm and it ran great. Shut it off and about a half hour later I went to move the boat and it stumbled a little. Shut it off and when I went to restart it was hydrolocked. I threw out the anchor and waited for Sea Tow. When I did get back to the dock I pulled the plugs and found water in 4 cylinders on the starboard side. Oil was clean. So My question is. What can cause an intermittent issue with water getting in the cylinders? I spoke with a mechanic and he had no answer. Have any of you come across this issue and what was the fix?
Thanks,
 
Thanks for the replies. Pulling it apart is just a little bit above my skill set. In the words of Dirty Harry. A man has to know his limitations.
I contacted another mechanic and am waiting for him to get back to me. I will call another guy this morning. The problem is these guys are so busy its about a 3 week wait before they can even come and look at it. And then another couple of weeks to repair. If that's the case. My season is over and the boat will sit at the dock. Ill place flowers all around it and rename it MY BARGE.
 
Thanks for the replies. Pulling it apart is just a little bit above my skill set. In the words of Dirty Harry. A man has to know his limitations.
I contacted another mechanic and am waiting for him to get back to me. I will call another guy this morning. The problem is these guys are so busy its about a 3 week wait before they can even come and look at it. And then another couple of weeks to repair. If that's the case. My season is over and the boat will sit at the dock. Ill place flowers all around it and rename it MY BARGE.

That sucks. Let me know if I can help you with anything. Meanwhile I have been landlocked waiting on a stupid part from Mercury and have grass growing on the bottom from what should have been a simple job.

-Kevin
 
I feel your pain..lol It sucks, all the time and energy I put into this boat and can not ever have a season without any trouble. Parts seem to be a real issue this year. Hope you get yours fixed sooner than later. See you at the marina.
 
Like politicians that only lie when their mouth is moving, boats only act up when you try to use them........
 
Happened to me also. Hydrolocked once last season. Thought it was battery. Mechanic removed plugs and cranked engine and water came out. He said from going in reverse too fast caused it? But been fine since then and not that issue.
 
I lost a motor because of that. And I was going forward. Got swamped by a large boat and the water came right thru the Y pipe into the motor. And locked it up.
 
I lost a motor because of that. And I was going forward. Got swamped by a large boat and the water came right thru the Y pipe into the motor. And locked it up.
Sounds like your elbows are too close to the water level. taller spacer would help. What you just described shouldn't happen. Could very well be your issue with current problems
 
Last edited:
With the boat at rest measure the distance from water line to elbow, minimum is 13 inches. less that that and you need the extentions
 
I should have been more specific. When I lost the 1st motor there were 1.7in spacers. I had an additional 3 inch spacers installed on the new motor for a total of 4.7 inches and it has been good for the last 5 years. I don't think that is the issue. I believe the problem is a Head Gasket or possibly a cracked head. Its getting towed on weds to a mechanic and hopefully he will figure it out. I'll let you all know when I find out. Thanks for all the replies.
 
It has to be something with the head, head gaskets, or the risers/manifolds.

Any other place of water intrusion would only mix water with oil and end up in your pan, but not water directly in the cylinders.
 
Hi Guys,
My problem was a cracked head on the starboard side. So after 3 weeks at the mechanics shop. I got the boat back last night and all is good.
At least I didn't lose the whole summer.
 

Forum statistics

Threads
112,948
Messages
1,422,806
Members
60,930
Latest member
Ebrown69
Back
Top