www.iFourWinns.com

OK i really need some help here with this issue, I have a 2008 H200SS and guess what I didn't do this winter? I didn't winterize my boat, I just hooked it up to the muffs and have about a 4 in crack on the left side of the block. What direction do I go from here to get this fixed and how much will it cost me in a ball park figure?

_________________
2008 H200SS
4.3 merc
2008 Chevy 2500

Uh Oh........

I don't think there's really a "repair" to make, other than replacing the motor. It might be an insured loss, but I bet you'll hear from others shortly. Sorry to hear it.

My first thought was, "you're kidding, right?" But for some reason I don't think you are. You're most likely looking at a new engine, or at least a new block. Your insurance might help with that depending on your policy; any warranty coverage will not cover any of it.

_________________


Mike
2005 Four Winns 230/240
VP 5.7GXi/DP
1998 F-150 XLT
Boat Pic

What's your mechanical skill level?

low = have engine replaced
med = replace your own engine
high = install all parts from current engine into new block

Call insurance first!

_________________

H210SS 6.2
F150 Platinum

In Texas anywhere from 1500-2500 for a new short block install, plus cost of block. Look at it this way, it only takes once to learn that lesson.

_________________

Low mechanical skills.

I just talked to the insurance company and have an adjuster coming to look at it.

_________________
2008 H200SS
4.3 merc
2008 Chevy 2500

Depending on what's involved, I've been told a new block in on the order of 5-6 thousand when it's all said and done.

Labor is a big chunk of that at 100 bucks/hour -- but it's not cheap to move everything from one engine to another. Also depends on if you want a reman black or a brand new one...

Then there's materials -- oils/gaskets/filters that all get replaced.

Your insurance should handle it as long as you have "comprehensive" coverage. Although - expect your insurance premiums to go up as well.

Good luck!

_________________

2008 318 Vista -SOLD, but I am still around!
All Night Long, Seattle WA

1500 for a 4.3 referb, 2000 for a stoker referb. 200 for gaskets and seals.

_________________

If you do replace the engine, consider adding closed cooling, that will make draining the block unecessary, but you still have to drain the raw water side of the system and the manifolds if it's a half system.
For those who want low maintenance, an outboard is superior to a sterndrive anyday, you put the engine down and it drains!
Too bad FW does not sell any OB powered boats now a days, you used to be able to get outboard power in ones as large as the 200 Horizon and 205 Sundowner.

_________________
88 Four Winns 200 Horizon
4.3 OMC Cobra-4bbl
2002 Walker Bay 10/2012 Suzuki 2.5
2008 Walker Bay 8

1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4.0/Selectrac
2007 Jeep Grand Cherokee 5.7 Hemi/Quadradrive II

For a closed cooling system for the 4.3 Merc. and Alpha One leg I understand you would have to install an additional water pump and thru-hull intake to supply enough water. All things are possible but not practical. I have been told the Bravo leg has a big enough pump in the leg to support the closed cooling. I ended up with a half system on my Horizon 190.

_________________
2007 Four Winns Horizon 190 Season Four
Frontiersman 18.5' freighter canoe with sail rig
No fuel problems if you just float. Bugger that, I'm burning fuel this season.

As for the Admiral... A happy wife is a happy life.

Don't even think about having the block welded: It's not the crack you see in a cast iron block that's the one to worry about!

Many years ago, I had a cast iiron block welded between 2 core plugs. Done by a relative, an expert welder, very very neat. A 1970's 1600 cc tuned 4 cylinder engine, about 130 HP in a car that weighed a lot less less than a ton.

Then, 2 months later, 100+ mph, a big bang and both core plugs blew out. Very spectacular, but very expensive.

Graham

An engine generates the same heat whether it's fresh water cooled or not. All the raw water pump does is to pump water through either the whole engine, or through the engine plus heat exchanger. So, the raw water throughput requirement should be the same

Graham

Ok so I have very little good news, after I cooled down from being pissed that I had done such a stupid thing I went back and looked the engine over again, as of now with little mechanical knowledge all I have cracked is both exhaust manifolds.

Does some know where in the block I might have cracked so I can check there also. I looked anywhere I could with a flashlight but didn't see anymore damage.

_________________
2008 H200SS
4.3 merc
2008 Chevy 2500

I was just going to ask if it was really the block or the man's. Most of the time the block will pop out the frost plugs ( a beautiful safety device) and the manifolds will be what cracks. The frost plugs are half-dollar sized discs that are pressed into both sides of the block in the area below the spark plug holes and above the oil pan flange. Use a mirror on a stick and check both sides front to back. Good luck!

That's good to hear. I did the same on my 1992 Maxum 18' about 2 years after I bought it. That set me back less than $500 doing it myself. Not too bad considering, but an expensive lesson none the less.



Too bad they don't make one with a bad-ass exaust sound too, eh?

_________________
Walt B
"Debt-Charged"
Black '07 H210SS
6.2L Bravo One turning a 21P HIFive
Wakeboard Tower with Perfect Pass Stargazer version
Missouri River; Kansas City, Mo.