Water Ingestion

[2001 310 Dancer]

Had engine failure due to water ingestion on my 2001 310 dancer. Manifolds and risers were replaced earlier in the season. Spoke w/ merc mechanic who said this is a common problem on these boats. Is the a modified replacement riser kit available?

 

[J Levine]

Does the boat have water lift mufflers? This was the fix used to address water ingestion on this model. Do a search on this subject if you dont know what a water lift muffler looks like, it has been discussed a number of times.

 

[chollyjohn]

My suggestion is contact Mercruiser directly at the customer service or service rep department in FonDuLac, WI. If its a common problem, they should know what the fix is, if not they will have troubleshooting data that may help you figure the problem out. If the mechanic you consulted knows its a problem then what does HE say how to fix it. Someone needs to find the cause and correct it. Water intrution can happen with severa things. The wrong adjustment of exhaust pipe at the risers, install resonators in the exhaust if inboards, check exhaust flappers if sterndrives, check proper waterline level to top of riser...these are just to name a few. Good Luck.

 

[davefin]

Here are pictures I have had on file for many years. They are of a 2001 5.7 310 Sundancer. The one on the BOTTOM is the OLD (Bad) combination. The other one (top) is the new design that Mercruiser should be able to help you with.

 

[fc3]

My suggestion is contact Mercruiser directly at the customer service or service rep department in FonDuLac, WI. If its a common problem, they should know what the fix is, if not they will have troubleshooting data that may help you figure the problem out. If the mechanic you consulted knows its a problem then what does HE say how to fix it. Someone needs to find the cause and correct it. Water intrution can happen with severa things. The wrong adjustment of exhaust pipe at the risers, install resonators in the exhaust if inboards, check exhaust flappers if sterndrives, check proper waterline level to top of riser...these are just to name a few. Good Luck.

This is bad advice. Do not attempt to modify the exhaust system to a configuration that Sea Ray does not specify. The use of resonators have caused problems in this exhaust system with the log type of exhaust collector. (See Dave's picture on the right.)

Contact Sea Ray for the correct part numbers to fix the problem correctly.

Best regards,
Frank C

 

[Hampton]

Had engine failure due to water ingestion on my 2001 310 dancer. Manifolds and risers were replaced earlier in the season. Spoke w/ merc mechanic who said this is a common problem on these boats. Is the a modified replacement riser kit available?

So when you say engine failure, how bad is it?

 

[RonF]

Davefin has the right pictures. I thought that by 2001 Sea Ray had switched from the horizontal log mufflers to the vertical waterlift design, and added 4" spacesr on the risers. The former owner of my boat had long blocks and the exhaust system replaced by Sea Ray on his extended warrantee coverage. I have heard of other owners getting satisfaction with the standard warrantee. Sea Ray Corporate knows about the problem, even if your local dealer does not. I hope you find an informed and cooperative dealer to work with. However, the age of the boat will be working against you.

 

[white glove]

I to had water ingestion failure on my 2001 310 . The first repair at Marine Max neglected to include research as to why it happened at 100 hrs. Upon re-engining again .I lost the starboard side at 100hrs. I brought this to Searay 's attention this time and a very helpfull person with decision making power asked me what I wanted. I said I want you to open up The port side and check. When they did there was already signs of detonation damage. This final re-engining I asked for Horizons . They at Searay had told me of the gasket and riser elbow failures that were responsible and should have been addressed during the first engine change. They took pity on me and shipped two new 350 mag horizons with new zf hurths fully dressed to my new service provider and took care of everything. I guess they figured 5 years of suffering was enough. But I think what really shook them up was when I asked them if re-engining was needed every season which was basically what was happening to me. the whole thing could have been avoided if someone had bothered to look into the problem. The new engines are I am told are quite safe from the water intrusions of their predecessors. This is because of the new dry joint exhaust and the turbulators at their bases. Searay did stop using the log style mufflers in 2001. My friend with a 2000 went to them with his concerns having blue water inboards and they retrofit him to the collectors and the new configuration. For me it turned out well . I think you have a valid beef because Searay did know of all of these failures as the modifications to the exhaust would hint at.I would advise contacting Searay directly and going around the indifferent local dealers.The time period from my initial purchase to a complete fix was five years long, ,and came complete with six engines. My new ones have just under 200 hours and are fine. I don't think you should let the time that has elapsed deter you. If you have been screwed by a poor design, then make them fix it. Incidentally, my first 310 a 2000 that I bought used with dealer hours only came complete with two brand new water intruded detonation damaged 350 mags. Two boats ,10 engines I am glad they finally got it right. By the way if you have v drives ,make sure you prop for at least 4850 rpms ,The 17/20 props that come with 2001 and later 320 Dancer are way to aggressive.

 

[samvee]

I just joined and want to thank White Glove. I have a 310 2001 and have replaced both engines once and never got any help from the local dealer. I never have the cofindence necessary to truly enjoy this boat...although I am in love with it. I now cant get the boat to plane. With a load on both engines it goes to 3200 rpms only. not in gear it winds all the way to 5k rpms. Any advice...btw I am calling sea ray in the morning.

 

[fc3]

More data, please. Where are you? Bottom clean? What drive system? Props checked? Compression checked? When did the problem start? Suddenly or gradually?

 

[HighFlight2k2]

Oh no...3200RPMs? That's my magic number. Please let us know what Sea Ray says.

 

[samvee]

Had the bottom and props chked. I have v drives. I just got it back from searay dealer here in ft. laud. Nwe engine 6 hrs on it needed a new injector. One cylinder is down 2o psi on the comp tst. The starbd motor has sucked in water and is gone on cylinder is at 2o psi. am going to have them torn down to have the heads checked as per advise of my tech. so we will see how those come back. I am looking at the new dry joint exhaust to stop this in the future.

 

[jitts3]

OK stupid question...What EXACTLY is water ingestion. This happens while sitting or running. Until now getting back into boating, I've never heard of this. I know, this question makes me look dumb. But Engines I know. Just some holes in the marine side of things...

 

[RonF]

Exhaust cooling water being sloshed backwards into the manifolds and sucked into a cylinder through an exhaust valve.

 

[jitts3]

Exhaust cooling water being sloshed backwards into the manifolds and sucked into a cylinder through an exhaust valve.

So it happens while running. I guess if thats the case then the valves don't close that tight. Always thought they did.

 

[RonF]

Yes, sort-of. The problem was worsened when GM went to a higher performance cam, with more valve overlap.

 

[SloppyJoe]

"One cylinder is down 2o psi on the comp tst. The starbd motor has sucked in water and is gone on cylinder is at 2o psi."

My guess is you had water intrusion and you find (at a minimum) bent or broken pushrods and/or collapsed lifters, rocker arms bent or broken, valves not opening properly, etc. You will need to have them check for bent connecting rods, piston damage, valve damage, etc. Surprised you are not overheating due to detonation.

 

[samvee]

Yes I do, the dealer has seen this boat a few times only to now mention the down angles are not correct on the exhaust. I went to osco in stead of mercrusier last time I had the manifolds tec done. They also claim this is another reason Sea ray is not helping.

 

[fc3]

Third party manifolds are a big mistake. I tried them once on my previous boat. They didn't hold up. A friend also tried them on his previous boat and found that they didn't last for him either. Especially in exhaust components, it is very true that you get what you pay for.

 

[samvee]

I have the new set up. I have had the motors torn down. Head sent out and redone. The lower end of the motors were good. They both ingested water. I am now buying the dry joint manifolds and risers. My tech will make them work on the 01 motors since they are made for 02 and up. I hope to get yrs out of these motors.