www.iFourWinns.com

This is a dupe, but nobody is ever on the Funship forum. How would you know if an engine had a cracked block? Sound? Other? Specifically, I'm referring to a GM 350 on a Volvo stern drive. I'm lake testing a boat this weekend and don't really know what to look for in terms of symptoms.

Thanks!

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1999 234 Funship
5.7 GSi

Look for leaks coming from the engine and also it will probably over heat pretty quick.

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1998 Baja Boss 252 7.4L MPI Bravo 1 (SOLD)
2007 FW H200SS 5.0GXI (Sold)
2004 Chevy Silverado 2500 Crew 6.0L (tow vehicle)
1991 FW 170 Freedom 4.3L (SOLD)

Also look for evidence of water in your oil. It would have a cloudy-milky appearance. What makes you think that you may have a cracked block?

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Martin
04 268 Vista - Knot Again
08 Boston Whaler 130 Sport - Double Good
Previous Boat:
97 278 Vista - Buoy Howdy

Also Take a close look under the exhaust manifolds, If you see some light rusty water stains it might be that the block had previosly been cracked and then repaired and now possibly seaping. Had a friend buy a boat that someone had previosly put JB Weld on it. It works but needsto be redone every few years.

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2001 328 Vista "Nauta Dream 2"
AB Inflatable 10AL "Little Dreamer"
2000 248 Vista
1997 225 Sundowner


Mike

What makes you think there's a crack in the block?

A block can crack in several different places; each with it's own set of symptoms. If it cracks between the cylinder wall and an oil channel then you'd see lots of smoke and it would consume oil. If it cracks between the water jacket then you'd see a whitish steamy sort of exhaust (lots more than usual) and it would tend to overheat. If it cracked between both an oil channel and a water jacket then the oil would get fouled and look rather like chocolate milk. It's also possible for an external crack where the water jacket leaks to the outside. That also tends to show up as an overheating engine, along with rusty water stains from where the water drips out. There are other variations, but those pretty much cover the big ones.

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-Bill Kearney, 2005 348 Vista

I don't think it has one, but it is a used boat, so I wanted to know what to look for.

Thanks for all the help!

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1999 234 Funship
5.7 GSi

If you're talking about buying a boat then there's a whole lot more to look for than a dramatic failure like a cracked block.

The best course of action when buying a boat is to hire a surveyor to give it a thorough looking over. They, presumably, look at boats regularly and can focus on problem areas. Areas most people might overlook. Stuff like signs of water intrusion, delamination, blistering, past repair work of questionable quality, engine leaks, electrical wiring defects, etc.

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-Bill Kearney, 2005 348 Vista