[grommett]

Hi all.

Two weeks ago when I last went out the boat ran fine (got 50mph with 5 up). Following morning I cleaned boat and flushed the engine - it was running fine (though the starter was a bit sluggish). On Weds I was going to take it out again and decided to check the starter before going out. It didnt start and after a couple of turns I just got a spinning starter.

Today I replaced the starter with a new one and got the same problem, it turned breifly followed by spinning (not engaging with flywheel). I removed the spark plugs and it still wont turn over, a little liquid (water?) came out of one of the cylinders. I'm not sure how water got in when the engine had been running OK on the trailer, unless it can get in via the muffs?

I tried turning it over by hand by putting a socket on the nut in the middle of the crankshaft pulley but it wouldn't budge.

Any ideas where I go from here?

[Provo]

Look for water in the oil. If there is water there then yes you have big problems.
As for the starter, you may have some broken teeth on the fly wheel. The starter could be stuck against the fly wheel not allowing for the engine to turn over.

[grommett]

After being told a full rebuild would cost more than a new engine (around £7,500) I got a little more motivation. So last resort - I took the new starter off and found a large piece of the starter motors casting stuck in the teeth of the flywheel. Once removed I was able to turn the engine by hand.

Now for the new manifolds and risers!

[300sflyer]

Originally Posted by grommett

After being told a full rebuild would cost more than a new engine (around £7,500) I got a little more motivation. So last resort - I took the new starter off and found a large piece of the starter motors casting stuck in the teeth of the flywheel. Once removed I was able to turn the engine by hand.

Now for the new manifolds and risers!

Don't delay getting those new manifolds and risers on there, and getting that engine running again ASAP. If you have water sitting in any of the cylinders, it will cause problems if left in there too long, especially if it's salt water.

[grommett]

Just an update for anyone who is interested.

I took the boat to a local marine engineer; when i phoned he told me we needed to get it looked at asap before further damage could occur. I took it next day and asked them to fit new risers and manifolds. They had it a week before telling me the heads would have to come off to be re-ground and all the valves lapped. Estimated cost : £2100. I was told not to run the engine until the work was done as it would blow up after 5 minutes use.

I decided to collect the boat and put the manifolds on myself. I had problems finding the right risers until I realised the engine had the less common stainless steel risers and having got them off decided to keep them and fit new manifolds only. I also did an oil and filter change.

Took the boat out yesterday. It ran like a bag of nails to start with and then I realised I forgot to put the spark plug leads back on one half the engine (oops!) After fixing that it was smooth as silk. Its half an hour at 10 knots to the harbour entrance and once out to sea I was a bit cautious to begin with. Then I decided to do a WOT run and got 4,800 RPM and 50mph with 5 up. I think I can safely say all is well, even the weather was good!

[300sflyer]

Excellent! Glad it's working well for you again!

[WetWilly]

Hi Grommett,

I'm with 300sflyer, glad to hear all is as it should be .

WetWilly