Changed the starter..now mechanic says engine is shot

Ed Gallo

Ed Gallo

New Member
Aug 28, 2020
10
Boat Info
2007 Sea Ray Sundeck 240
Engines
Mercruiser 350 MPI Bravo 3
My starter went on my 2007 Sea Ray Sundeck 240. The mechanic changed it today. He had to remove the risers on the starboard side of the boat to gain access. After completed, the boat started and we went for a ride. The boat rode rough at low idle, but fine at higher speeds. When we got back in, the boat again rode very rough at low speeds then stalled. Now it makes a loud grinding noise when you try to start it and it won't start. The engine actually "jumped" the first time I tried to restart it. Mechanic thinks something in the engine gave out and its shot? Any ideas? Could something have been replaced improperly? Boat was running fine before starter went. I will get a second opinion on needing a new engine...This sucks!
 
There are a few items to check. Here’s what I’d do.....

Possibly a spark plug was cracked or a spark plug wire wasn’t properly reconnected. The exhaust is heavy and may have dropped onto a plug or wire causing this.

With the exhaust removed, the mechanic wound have an easy view of the back side of the exhaust valves. Any water getting to the valves would be evident as rust in the ports and/or valves stems.

How old is the exhaust?
It may be brittle from age. Some rough handling from the removal/install could have broken something internal in the elbow giving you a new internal water leak affecting the motor.

If this was my boat, I’d treat it as a possible hydro lock and immediately remove all spark plugs. Then engage the starter to expel any water. Finally, fog the cylinders.

A compression test would be next, followed by a leak down test if the compression test shows low compression.
 
Espos4,

Thanks for the reply. I believe the manifold and riser was not sealed properly after it was re-installed and water got into the engine. I'm gonna pull the boat tomorrow and get it to the mechanic out of the water.
 
May or may not have been something the mechanic did. Do you boat in salt water? How many hours are on the engine? Is it raw water or fresh water cooled? A 13 year old engine raw water cooled and is run in salt water may have serious internal corrosion and need replacing.
 
I'd feel better if not mechanics fault. I guess I will know once they open it up. It was explained to me that the gasket between the manifold and the riser MUST be replaced if it is separated. My mechanic did not replace it, he used silicone on top of the old gasket which I was told is a no no on boats.
 
Ed Gallo said:
I'd feel better if not mechanics fault. I guess I will know once they open it up. It was explained to me that the gasket between the manifold and the riser MUST be replaced if it is separated. My mechanic did not replace it, he used silicone on top of the old gasket which I was told is a no no on boats.
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Manifold and riser gaskets are dry fit. As suggested pull the plugs and see if you have water in any cylinders.
 
If it leaked on the manifold and riser joint, that's probably why it hydrolocked. I'd make your mechanic pay for the new engine.
 
Ed Gallo said:
I'd feel better if not mechanics fault. I guess I will know once they open it up. It was explained to me that the gasket between the manifold and the riser MUST be replaced if it is separated. My mechanic did not replace it, he used silicone on top of the old gasket which I was told is a no no on boats.
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The dry joint gaskets are $40-$50 each. You would need 2 per side. Saving $90-$100 and reusing the old gaskets may have cost you (or him) big $$
 
Find another mechanic. Cheating on any riser/manifold gasket is suicide
 
A friend bought a boat with twin 350mag Horizons in it. Saltwater boat. Risers were at the 6 year mark. After a nice smooth ride in the first week he came back the next day and starter on starboard engine was dead. Put in a new starter and engine ran rough like the OPs. It Never left the dock and he called in the experts. Engine had hydro locked from water running back into engine after last run. Starter had sheared. New starter was new enough to survive starting a hydro locked engine. Replaced the engine.

Not saying this happened to OPs engine. Just a related story.
 
Update (If anyone cares)...Looks like hottoddie was the voice of reason. Engine was hydrolocked, but the new mechanic said there was no evidence that the first mechanic did anything wrong. Piston # 2 had failed (cracked or a hole in in). I'm at the point where he will dig deeper to see if the engine is salvageable. I'm open to anyone's input as to whether to replace engine with "long block" or to repair. Engine is from 2007 with about 550 hours - all salt water. Does anyone know what average price is to repair / replace these engines? I was told a new long block Mercruiser mag 350 mpi engine is about $3,500.00. Anyone know what labor costs would be to pull old engine, replace parts and re-install? I haven't gotten an estimate yet, but just wanted to be sure I was not getting ripped off.
 
With a cracked piston, don’t pay to dig any deeper.

At a minimum you need a long block replacement. Then You are paying the mechanic many hours to swap your old used parts onto it.

In the end, it may be only slightly more money to have a complete new engine installed.
 
Ed Gallo said:
I'd feel better if not mechanics fault. I guess I will know once they open it up. It was explained to me that the gasket between the manifold and the riser MUST be replaced if it is separated. My mechanic did not replace it, he used silicone on top of the old gasket which I was told is a no no on boats.
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The reuse of exhaust gaskets is all I needed to hear....MX has/had zero clue what he was doing!
sorry.....

FYI, saltwater exhaust parts are a 5 year throw-away.
It’s expensive but, necessary.
Best to use OEM parts.
 
Ed Gallo said:
Update (If anyone cares)...Looks like hottoddie was the voice of reason. Engine was hydrolocked, but the new mechanic said there was no evidence that the first mechanic did anything wrong. Piston # 2 had failed (cracked or a hole in in). I'm at the point where he will dig deeper to see if the engine is salvageable. I'm open to anyone's input as to whether to replace engine with "long block" or to repair. Engine is from 2007 with about 550 hours - all salt water. Does anyone know what average price is to repair / replace these engines? I was told a new long block Mercruiser mag 350 mpi engine is about $3,500.00. Anyone know what labor costs would be to pull old engine, replace parts and re-install? I haven't gotten an estimate yet, but just wanted to be sure I was not getting ripped off.
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Oh man, so sorry to hear this. I was hoping it would turn out differently.
 
I had that misfortune this past season myself. broke a brand new starter on a locked motor. I put a used motor in (5.0l 2bbl) which cost me $2400 complete and running. My marina pulled the motor after I freed it from the boat and installed used motor for $850. took a month to get them to do it though in the already short NJ season! Good luck
 
The damage may be covered under your insurance. Call. Tell the mechanic you are reporting damage to your insurance company. Perhaps it might spur him into fixing the damage because if your insurance pays you they will go after him
 
After consulting with friends and mechanics, seems the best solution here is to replace the engine with a new one. I am now in search of a reliable mechanic / facility that can remove my engine and replace it with a new one at a reasonable price. Anyone out there have any recommendations? Thanks in advance. I live on the north shore of Long Island.
 
Ed Gallo said:
After consulting with friends and mechanics, seems the best solution here is to replace the engine with a new one. I am now in search of a reliable mechanic / facility that can remove my engine and replace it with a new one at a reasonable price. Anyone out there have any recommendations? Thanks in advance. I live on the north shore of Long Island.
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i just pulled my port engine after it started running like crap after hitting a sandbar really hard. The backpressure in the the exhaust pushed sea water into the port motor and took out two pistons. if this happened to you you need to look at the oil in the bottom of the pan. there will be chunks of piston there and the oil since it was run with the issue for a short time will have metal in it. that went through the hole block and it would cost to much to send everything out and get them cleaned, replace all things like oil lines to remote filter and more to make fixing it worth it. i am putting two new Mercruiser long blocks in so they match and get back to boating. Ed, if you're looking for a used good engine I will sell the starboard long block with 500 hours on it cheap.
 

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Thanks for the offer, but it turned out to be a cracked head on my motor. The motor was running excellent all summer so I decided to have it repaired rather than replacing it. Anybody know what mechanics usually charge to repair a cracked head? I was told this is pretty common on Sea Rays?? I got a price, but includes doing other needed repairs. Just curious on the cost of replacing the head. Thanks.
 
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