Engine leak....help!

[akdoc]

Hi guys, started the boat up 2 weekends ago after its long winter nap and it fired up just fine. Pulled it out of the dock and idled around for a while. Pulled back into the dock and looked in the engine compartment to make sure there were no leaks....I noticed more water in the hull and it was warmer than the lake water so I knew there was a leak somewhere. I couldn't see the leak. So I put the lift up and drained the water, checked all the plugs which were secure. Put the boat back down and just let is sit without starting it and no water was leaking in. I turned the ballast pumps all on to check for leaks there, no leaks that I could see. Started the boat and let it idle, water starts to fill back up the hull but I still couldn't see a leak.

At this point we have to leave to I drain the water again and put it back on the lift. I called our mechanic and he says to drive it over this past weekend. I start down the lake with the back seat removed so I can hopefully spot the leak. After about 5 minutes I see water squirting out on the port side of the engine. I keep driving watching the water fill the hull in the engine compartment, boy was that nerve-racking! Get it to the marina and Keith comes down and looks at it. The water is leaking between the engine block and the transmission on the port side. The boat is a 2006 24Ve with the MP 5.7L engine. My mechanic did the winterization and he also checked the oil when I pulled in and said that he didn't think the block cracked because the oil looked fine. He was pretty puzzled and was going to take the boat out and start working on it.

Anybody have this happen? What is the warranty on an 06 MP engine?

I'm afraid this is gonna be a costly repair bill.

[dogbert]

Maybe a seal that's part of the transmission cooler?

[akdoc]

Dogbert, that is what I was thinking. There has to be a seal or gasket there that somehow broke of got weak.

[dogbert]

Still, it seems odd. My boat's 10 years old and I've never had that problem.

[Matt Garcia]

Did the engine stay cool? What what the highest RPM you achieved?

Isn't your transmission cooler on the starboard side?

[akdoc]

Matt, the engine stayed cool. I was going about 25MPH, so I guess at 3300 rpms? I didn't look at the RPM's.

[AdaminMN]

Usually when the 5.7 blocks crack they do so in the following places...

Inside the lifter valley, you can't see this crack unless you pull the intake. When this area cracks water will get into the oil. I'm told the engine will usually fill with water within a couple minutes.

A horizontal line just below where the heads bolt on. This will leak water out of the engine into the hull.

A vertical line halfway between the starter and front engine mount, on both sides. This'll leak water into the hull also.

I'm going through this whole thing myself right now too. Mine was cracked in the valley and on one head. I'm ordering a remanufactured engine today.

I hope your's is something simple, and inexpensive.

[chpthril]

Sorry, but I just cant read the OP, so here goes! Do you have a heater, was it winterized, are the hoses back on or did the core split?

Good luck! Hope it's not serious!

[chpthril]

Ok, just read it again and see you isolated where the water was running out from......it's popped a freeze plug in the bell-housing. Sound like your mechanic didnt get all the water out, maybe didnt drain that side of the block!

[akdoc]

Chpthril, yes I have a heater and I don't think it was winterized. That is funny because I opened the compartment where the heater is and there was water in there, but my check valve for my overflow line is in there and it has froze and broken so I figured the water came from there.

The heater uses water? Sorry, obviously I'm clueless about that.

[chpthril]

Chpthril, yes I have a heater and I don't think it was winterized. That is funny because I opened the compartment where the heater is and there was water in there, but my check valve for my overflow line is in there and it has froze and broken so I figured the water came from there.

The heater uses water? Sorry, obviously I'm clueless about that.

Uses a heater core just like a car, plumbed in on the outlet of the engine and gets the hot water supply after it's run through the block to keep it cool. Runs up to the core than back to the block .

If the hoses are connected and there is water in that compartment, sounds like the core split also!

[akdoc]

GOOD NEWS!! I just got off the phone with my mechanic. It was the heater, his guy that winterized it forgot to winterize the heater line and it split. No motor problems!! Props to Keith at Lighthouse Marina on Lake of the Ozarks, he is replacing everything his cost since they missed it during winterization!!

[zad0030]

Well Im confused.

If it was the heater then why was water coming out in the engine compartment?

Glad you got it worked out though!

[akdoc]

My mechanic said that the water was leaking out from the heater hoses, it got high enough in the engine compartment that the flywheel was picking it up and flinging the water around. Once I drained the water out at the dock he said he started the boat again and nothing no water. That's when he started to figure out the heater may be the culprit.

[zad0030]

My mechanic said that the water was leaking out from the heater hoses, it got high enough in the engine compartment that the flywheel was picking it up and flinging the water around. Once I drained the water out at the dock he said he started the boat again and nothing no water. That's when he started to figure out the heater may be the culprit.

Ok, Now that makes sense! Thanks for the clarification