1994 Sea Ray 290DA Engine Hatchs

Tankinit

New Member
Feb 20, 2018
5
Boat Info
1994 Sea Ray 290 Sundancer
Engines
4.3 Mercruisers
Hello,

I am new here and fairly new to owning a Sea Ray. The question I have and was wondering if anyone else has ever experienced the issue I am having. I purchased a '94 290DA last Summer, used the boat all summer then in the fall had the STBD engine hydro lock. The tech that did the work said the cover over the flame arrestor was cracked and causing water to leak into the carb and into the intake. He said that was due to the hatches allowing a great deal of water on top of the engine. We put a brand new 4.3 long block in the boat 2 mos ago and replaced the cover over the carb. Haven't used the boat, just started it on the hose once a week. We had a pretty good amount of rain one day and after that, I washed the boat. Went to start it this past weekend and boom, the engine failed again. He is saying this is for the same reason. I am just having a hard time believing this due to how many of these boats are out there and there is nothing on line about this being an issue. Who would build a boat that cant be washed or rained on? Also, if it was an issue, why wouldn't it be taking the port engine out as well? Any input will be greatly appreciated!!
 
Do you have the aluminium U pieces in place and the ends siliconed in between the 3 hatch covers?? They run over top of the flame arrestors and keep the water out, I got 1 1995 with 4.3's and yours should be the same.
 
Hey, Thanks for the reply. It does have the alum. u-channel supports. I can understand mech. concerns, but the boat has survived this long without issue until now.
 
I think I would be looking at the parts that came off the old motor and put on the new motor to make sure nothing was wrong there. has to be something in common to those two as the port motor is ok
 
I agree. I don't want to place any blame, but something has to be in common. original engine failed, the brand new engine failed within 30 mins. Just weird to me.
 
Place a piece of plastic over the carb to protect it. Put your phone down there on video, recording. Replace the hatches. Hose the cockpit down for a few minutes.

But... if you have the flame arrestor cover on there properly, I'm finding hard to believe you're getting water in there.
 
You have the flame arrestor then a larger plastic cover over that and you have the channel all around the hull for the hatch covers plus the u-channel between the cover, hard for water to get in. We hose the inside deck on mine all the time and no water gets in the ER. I'd be checking the exhaust parts for cracks or corroded parts letting water back into the engine. When you have the engines pulled apart is it the same side of the motor taking water? That would narrow your search.
 
The boat has the flame arrestor cover and the aluminum U channels. I just wanted to see if with as many of these 94-96 290DA's that are out there if anyone else has experienced this. Since the engine is now out, we are gonna put someone in the engine compartment tomorrow and hose the heck out of the deck and see if it leaks. Biggest concern is we just spent a ton of money putting a new not reman, Mercury long block in there and now is the question of them warranting it. Just seems if it is getting the starboard engine, it would be getting the port as well.
 
Did he replace the exhaust when he replaced the long block?
 
No he didn't. He said all of manifolds and risers looked great. However, I'm kinda leaning towards that as well. Will they let water back into the engine or just cause it to overheat if they are bad? My understanding if they are failing or failed they just cause overheat issues. With that said, I am pretty good around outboards, but sterndrives are new animals to me.
 
I'd find out which cylinder bank failed and/or cylinders took in water on both motors and if it was same side then I would be looking at exhaust and/or exhaust manifolds and if different sides then maybe intake ingestation.
 

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