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Powerhead explosion Question for Joe and Sparkey

C

claudiusdrusus

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" Dear Joe and Sparky,

Than

" Dear Joe and Sparky,

Thank you so so much for your help thus far. I am really in a tight way with this mechanic. Here is a summary of what happened taking into account your other advice:
1. Engine: 200 H.P Mariner 1991 6 cylinder
2. March 1st: Engine running normally then dies. Power head crack by piston 4 and piston destroyed.
3. Mechanic replaces powerhead, completely cleans carbs, new carb kits., filters etc.2 pistons and gaskets.
4. March 24: 2.5 hours of engine running time after repair job engine suddenly dies.
5. Powerhead by piston number 2 (same side) is shattered, cylinder dry (says mechanic no fuel or oil to piston) sleeve and block damage.
6. Mechanic says this indicates blocked carb number 1. The reason is dirt in the fuel tank. He is insistent on it and says it is not his fault.

Why do you think my powerhead on the same side as the last explosion (piston 4) exploded (piston 2)?

The mechanic says he completely cleaned the filters and carbs and yet 2 hours of run time later - boom.

Please, please help. I am at wits end with this and not sure if I should sue or what. "
 
" By the way engine ran and id

" By the way engine ran and idled well before the end. The explosion was sudden, violent and complete. "
 
"To quote a portion of your po

"To quote a portion of your post:

"5. Powerhead by piston number 2 (same side) is shattered, cylinder dry (says mechanic no fuel or oil to piston) sleeve and block damage.
6. Mechanic says this indicates blocked carb number 1. The reason is dirt in the fuel tank. He is insistent on it and says it is not his fault."

My line of expertise is with the OMC engines, not Mariner. However, most mechanical problems and failures will coincide. The components might look different, but the cause of failure would be the same.... Example: Carb = Gummed, Fouled jets - Ignition = Failed Stator or Powerpack - Melted Piston = Lean Fuel Setting on Carb, Timing Set Wrong, etc... things of that nature.

I really don't like running down another mechanic as we all make mistakes. However the important thing is that when a mistake is made, or a new replaced component fails... we correct the situation without strolling into the cow field to dwell among the BS.

Bottom line is that there's no way that anything in the fuel tank could cause a repeat of your engine failure. There are fuel filters which would prevent that type problem, at least there should be! Check for them.

The worse case scenario pertaining to a fuel tank would be having a fuel pick up tube being too short, a hole in the pickup tube, a piece of plastic or debris of some kind in the tank which would clog the pickup, or water (heavier than gas) in the tank, to name a few. Any of these scenarios, if they existed, would simply shut the engine down where it would remain until the condition/problem was resolved.

Hopefully the engine and all of its components are in your possession. I would suggest that you have a reliable witness or two available when you or anyone else trouble shoot the cause of the identical second failure. My assumption would be either the carburetor that feeds the failed cylinder (still clogged) or something associated with it. Whatever the cause of the first failure, it would appear that it was apparently overlooked, resulting in the second identical failure.

All of the above is based on what you've had to say and is not to be taken as fact. There are always three sides to a story in court, yours, theirs, and the truth. Unfortunately it sounds like you will be heading to court. I wish you luck.

Joe
"
 
Thank you so much Joe. Could

Thank you so much Joe. Could you confirm one thing. Is the carb that feeds pistons 2 and 4 the same?
 
Nope!
Carb 1 feeds 1 & 2

Nope!
Carb 1 feeds 1 & 2
Carb 2 feeds 3 & 4
Carb 3 feeds 5 & 6
Are you sure the end cap for the connecting rod didn't come loose?
 
" No, not sure at all Billy, t

" No, not sure at all Billy, thanks. What other possibilities could you imagine?
Thanks!!!! "
 
" Where exactly is the damage

" Where exactly is the damage to the powerhead?
Near the carbs, near the sparkplugs, or somewhere in the middle? "
 
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