Water in Engine

[BoaterGuy]

Three years ago my mercury inboard V-8 Engine overheated. The engine was replaced for $7,000. In years to follow, the engine kept getting water in it. I always took it to the same reason mechanic since I had no reason to doubt this shop. I have a Regal Commodore 2460. Every time this would happen, I would foolishly attempt to crank the motor in a desperate attempt to get home. Over the course of 3 years times, this shop replaced the starter and spark plugs 6 or 7 times at an average cost of $700 each time. Every time they told me that it was due to me having too much weight in the back of the boat, or not letting it idle long enough before shutting it off.

I recently took it to a new mechanic and found out that only one exhaust manifold it had been replaced. He tried to start it and immediately had the same problem. He called the first mechanic which told him that the front end was too low.

My question is, should the angle of the boat have anything to do with water entering the engine?

 

[Master mechanic]

Welcome aboard ! The reply to your question is no. What boat ? What year ? Where generally in the real world are you ? Maybe we can recommend a good mechanic if your anywhere near NJ i can recommend the best guy on the east coast bar none. And no it's not me. But i will come over and look for free i do this as a hobby. And no he won't screw you like your last guy.

 

[bondo]

Every time they told me that it was due to me having too much weight in the back of the boat,

Ayuh,.... It's Possible, Yes....

There needs to be a Minimum of 13" from the tippin' point of the exhaust risers, to the water level, Outside the hull....

If ya over-load the boat, 'n the aft dips to low in the water, Yes, water can run into the motor...

There are riser blocks, available in 3" or 6" to raise the exhaust tippin' point to stop this problem...

 

[Docksidemarineservices]

I think your first mechanic is more of a parts changer than a mechanic.

Something is leaking.

The back of your boat sitting low in the water can introduce water into the cylinders, BUT, it would have to be sitting very low. The top of the transom assembly would have to be several inches below the water. m

It may be time to pressure test your exhaust manifolds and replace both risers.

 

[Bruce Clarkson]

Hopefully you have a better second mechanic.

You did not say what engine/vintage you had. What were the occasions for water ingestion? Was it just sitting? How much water? What does the starter have to do with it?

There is a spec for your engine from Merc as to how high the water level is allowed to be relative to the bottom of the elbow. Manufacturers have messed this up before.

Good luck