freeze damage - 2006 sx19 with 4.3l mercruiser
 

ok, so i now know that it does get cold enough in North Carolina to cause serious damage….I unfortunately have learnt the hard way that winterizing is required…
First run after the "winter" water pouring out of both exhaust manifolds, so I replaced those, boat ran for 5 minutes, before stopping. Tried to restart, nothing but a click, cant turn engine by hand, Assume that something was wrong in block as well? how do i figure out just how "broken" the engine is? Whats best fix if it is broken block? where is cheapest place to get parts from? do you recommend refit the same, or go bigger? can you (or should you) just bolt a bigger unit in?
any thoughts and comments welcome from all you huys that have already learned the hard way..
thanks

Re: freeze damage - 2006 sx19 with 4.3l mercruiser
 

Pull the oil dipstick and see if there is water in it.
Pull the plugs , sounds like it hydrolocked(water in combustion chamber).
The 4.3 likes to break right on the cylinder water jacket under the intake manifold. The end of the heads is another area prone to freeze damage.
Only real fix is new long block.
If you want to go for a V8 be prepared to spend a good chunk of money.
The drive will have to be regeared at best.

Re: freeze damage - 2006 sx19 with 4.3l mercruiser
 

Thanks Coloradodiablo….i checked the oil, and it looked a little high, but not really milky like the oil and water had been well mixed…so i guess if water did get in, it must have run slowly past the rings and settled in the sump without getting too mixed up. i pulled the plugs, no water from any cylinder, and the engine still locked solid will not turn over…hmmmm, i guess its time to go a little deeper inside, an take a few more thigs apart..

Re: freeze damage - 2006 sx19 with 4.3l mercruiser
 

Do a pressure test on the cooling system.
That will tell you if , and possibly where it is leaking.
Try a penetrating lube like PB Blaster or even WD40 in the cylinders to try and loosen up the pistons.
But I won't kid ya , it don't sound good cat. :shakehead:

Re: freeze damage - 2006 sx19 with 4.3l mercruiser
 

marvel mystery oil soaking in all 6 right now……does look like its currnetly hydrolocked….more to follow

Re: freeze damage - 2006 sx19 with 4.3l mercruiser
 

Pulled marvel mystery oil out, tried to turn over, will just about turn - VERY SLOWLY….cant turn with a wrench on flywheel nut….
checked manifolds and risers, no sign of any leakage internally, and only very minor containation in sump oil….suspect cracked head or head gasket blown. Tore top end down and water present, milky oil around valve gear, signs of rust on push rods and rockers. Cylinders look really clean, no sign of leaks….so whats going on…is teh difficult to turn (tight) issue linked to the water problem? or just coincidental?
gonna get heads presure tested this week, but still suspect head gasket now…
Should i be able to turn it over by hand?

Re: freeze damage - 2006 sx19 with 4.3l mercruiser
 

Did you check for cracks in the intake valley?
Yes , the hard turning of the crank is related. Rings , Main , Rod , even Cam bearings are affected guaranteed.
Time for new motor or rebuild if it was me.
I'd never trust that engine after locking up.:shakehead: