looking for a "what would you do?" scenario on my 8.2L 380HP inboard engine / water intrusion

[mrsrobinson]

Don't forget the 10+ hours of removing all of the top end electronics/mechanics and front bolt ons to get to the heads. In the middle of this right now.

View attachment 152274

This! Why not spend $100 to validate a theory before paying a mechanic money to do this? We all love to spend someone else's money, @desperado IMO was looking for other options before he did.

@desperado said "try and save as many $100 bills as possible"

Why not suggest he spend $100 to maybe save many $100? I think that is what he was asking us.

I get analysis paralysis here when I post and I get replies telling me to buy this, do that, make sure you purchase this before you do anything, don't do anything before you do this, etc.... I get it, but it sends me down rabbit holes and I end up buying stuff I personally never needed and/or tearing off parts I never needed to.

Not sure anyone is trying to save money, except fixing this engine and not buying a new motor. But doing a leak down test is wasting money. It's another 1-2hrs in the wrong direction. That same 1-2hrs is all that is needed to take the head off, which needs to come off anyway.

At the end of the day that head needs to come off and you will see the story. Compression of 85-90 will be self evident as to what's wrong. Any skilled mechanic will be able to see burnt tuliped valves and/or scared walls.

@desperado as I read his original post, was looking for options, to save money, and that is how I replied Now, in tbe end he will probably have to do everything suggested, but why not spend $100 to see if he doesn't? Again, difference of opinion on how to approach this and probably also what @desperado was asking us. I would diagnose first, if I could, before tearing parts off.