Water when I pulled the spark plugs....

powell ratz

New Member
Mar 1, 2009
10
Grand Junction, Colorado
On the test drive.... The boat had a bit of a vibration in the beginning (idle), then took off great. 6.2L merc on 2002, 240 sundeck. Then it overheated and would not restart. I pulled the spark plugs while being towed in where I found water.. Can anyone tell me if this is common? Is it now engine replacement or can it be repaired? The dealers mechanic says it could have been a melted flapper and says it is common. I really loved the boat and want to buy it, but I need to know what questions should we ask the mechanic if he says it is repairable. You all have been very helpful and I am greatful.
Thanx
Powell Ratz
 
Powell Ratz,

IMHO - You need to get this boat surveyed before you proceed. I think I told you that in your other thread. You keep saying the dealer says this or that, is the dealer willing to put up and offer some kind of 1 year warranty?
 
I had a similar problem with my motor, my exhaust manifold was cracked, that allowed water into the cylinders via the exhaust valves, but only when it was not running. I am not sure the "flapper" would let water into the cylinders, but it would make it overheat. I am sure others will be able to tell you more.
 
is the dealer willing to put up and offer some kind of 1 year warranty?

This is a great point - when buying from a dealer it is not uncommon to get this. A friend of mine bought a boat from the dealer and got a 1 year warranty. They ended up needing new heads on a 7.4 because the "flapper" was stuck and overheated the motor. The warranty was a real help then!
 
Water should never, ever flow out of a removed spark plug hole. Never. This engine could only be slightly damaged or severely damaged. Only the guy who tears it down knows for sure. Since you asked for advice, here's mine, Run! Run fast; run hard. Run away and never look back. The only reason to consider this boat is either they're going to rebuild the engine or it's cheap enough that you can drop in a new one. Otherwise the risk is far too great.

Best regards,
Frank
 
Water should never, ever flow out of a removed spark plug hole. Never. This engine could only be slightly damaged or severely damaged. Only the guy who tears it down knows for sure. Since you asked for advice, here's mine, Run! Run fast; run hard. Run away and never look back. The only reason to consider this boat is either they're going to rebuild the engine or it's cheap enough that you can drop in a new one. Otherwise the risk is far too great.

Best regards,
Frank

I agree 100 percent with Frank. It's a buyers market out there and you don't need to take a chance with a boat like this when there are so many others on the market today.

Dave
 
Listen to Frank. There is a lot of other boats out there. I know the feeling of finding a boat you reeeealy like, but, if you start having trouble from the onset, believe me, you wont like it for long! Take your time, make sure you get your boat surveyed before you close the deal. I'm sure if you call any reputable marina or boat dealer in the area where you find a boat your interested in, they will be happy to provide you with the closest reputable marine surveyer even if you are not buying a boat from them. Good luck.
 
.... Since you asked for advice, here's mine, Run! Run fast; run hard. Run away and never look back. .....

:lol::smt043:lol:

Tell us how you really feel Frank.:thumbsup:
:lol::smt043:lol:
 
Well, on that note I am off to look for another.... I will be looking from Colorado to So. Cali.. Going on vacation there in a week and a half... Thank you for your honesty...

If you want to detour to NW Oklahoma.. there is a nice '06 240SD with a '06 chevy 3500 dually someone might part with. :grin:
 
Water should never, ever flow out of a removed spark plug hole. Never. This engine could only be slightly damaged or severely damaged. Only the guy who tears it down knows for sure. Since you asked for advice, here's mine, Run! Run fast; run hard. Run away and never look back. The only reason to consider this boat is either they're going to rebuild the engine or it's cheap enough that you can drop in a new one. Otherwise the risk is far too great.

Best regards,
Frank
Frank is right. The only way I'd buy it is if it was cheap enough to replace the engine and still have a deal. But looking at this time of year I'd get a turn-key boat.
 
On the test drive.... The boat had a bit of a vibration in the beginning (idle), then took off great. 6.2L merc on 2002, 240 sundeck. Then it overheated and would not restart. I pulled the spark plugs while being towed in where I found water.. Can anyone tell me if this is common? Is it now engine replacement or can it be repaired? The dealers mechanic says it could have been a melted flapper and says it is common. I really loved the boat and want to buy it, but I need to know what questions should we ask the mechanic if he says it is repairable. You all have been very helpful and I am greatful.
Thanx
Powell Ratz

Sounds like a blown head gasket. Pretty serious ($$$) if warped head, maybe bent valves. Thermostat may have stuck on your test ride.
 
Water should never, ever flow out of a removed spark plug hole. Never. This engine could only be slightly damaged or severely damaged. Only the guy who tears it down knows for sure. Since you asked for advice, here's mine, Run! Run fast; run hard. Run away and never look back. The only reason to consider this boat is either they're going to rebuild the engine or it's cheap enough that you can drop in a new one. Otherwise the risk is far too great.

Best regards,
Frank
Best advise you can get, Don't fool with it, you'll waste more time and energy than it's worth and never know that it's right. I'm a fan of paying cheap and fixing things up, but doesn't sound as if you may be the kind of person to do that. You'll thank Frank when you hold off and find what you want.
 
Water should never, ever flow out of a removed spark plug hole. Never. This engine could only be slightly damaged or severely damaged. Only the guy who tears it down knows for sure. Since you asked for advice, here's mine, Run! Run fast; run hard. Run away and never look back. The only reason to consider this boat is either they're going to rebuild the engine or it's cheap enough that you can drop in a new one. Otherwise the risk is far too great.

Best regards,
Frank

+1 on Frank's advice. There are too many boats out there for sale to get hung up on one particular deal.
 
First and foremost I would strongly agree with Frank's advice. But I have seen this happen to a friend on a 7.4L mercruiser. It too had overheated by raw water pump failure. We changed the pump. Drained the cylinders and then fogged the crap out of them and it started right up. Said boat is still running fine 3 years later. Here is a nice link. http://www.*******.com/merc/Bullet/01/01_13.pdf

Agreed, too many cheap boats out there to open up a can worms.
 
Someone else will be sorry they bought that boat.
 
Okay, heard back from the dealer's mechanic and my husband has spoke with ours here. They will warranty the engine for a year. I am not the mechanical genius that my husband is, however the gofer does pick up some knowledge along the way. What I am trying to say is we are a go for the next test drive this weekend with this boat. We have looked for a boat like this for the past year and yes I am cheap, with good connections...... Look what I got from this web site. You all are absolutely AWSOME...
Christy
 
Christy -
I would normally agree with the others, in this market there is no reason to buy a boat with issues, there are plenty out there. However, if the marina fixes it properly, and you get a 1 year warranty on the motor, why not? I would not hesitate to buy a boat under those conditions, if you can be sure it was fixed properly.
 
Well if the boat craps out on a nice sunny day with the cooler packed and friends on board, have fun getting towed in and enduring the ensuing "dealer said/mechanic said/that part is not covered/waiting weeks for my boat to be fixed" fiasco.
 

Forum statistics

Threads
112,950
Messages
1,422,860
Members
60,932
Latest member
juliediane
Back
Top