my oil looks like a milkshake :(

[tsturm]

[cmetzenberg]

[tsturm]

[jakevolvo@yahoo.com]

My guess is cracked cylinder head. Start with that, pull it off have a head shop check it out. If they find a crack just slap a used head on and hope for the best

Also, I had a honda 25hp that sucked some small gravel and plugged up the cooling channels so I put a relatively high pressure hose directly to the water pickup to clear it out. Shot water 30 feet out of the tell tale but also somehow backflowed water into the motor, through the exhaust I assume. Are you using an unusually high water pressure when flushing the motor?

[digger]

I don’t know how a mechanic could determine “frequent” overheat - frankly that is bs. I come from a family of master mechanics and have done troubleshooting, and overhauls, on many different engines, as well as all mechanical troubleshooting and repairs. Overheating can crack a head and impact the water jacket, but lack of oil lube from oil getting watered down can cause scoring or parts to wear. Heads can or will warp if overheating occurs, requiring repairs such as welding cracks between valves, and/or milling to make surfaces flat. Most dealer mechanics or reps will not do rebuilds, they only remove and replace major parts. You would need to find an engine rebuilder who inspects parts, grinds cams and cranks, surfaces heads, grinds valves, bores cylinders, etc. I would hesitate having the dealer mechanics do anything but engine replacement, or component replacements. You can find marine engine rebuilders on eBay, etc that have rebuilt “short” or “long” blocks that can get your engine going again. Also, you might find some full-service engine machine shops that have individuals that are experienced with marine repairs. Good luck with your current dealer interactions.

[TyBoo]

[colbysmith]

I'm agreeing with Tyboo Mike. I'm assuming the mechanic already pulled the head to make that diagnoses? I had a car one time that warped it's head, but that was after a freeze plug blew and I drove it several miles before realizing it. (Small 4 cylinder engine in a Corolla that had recently been rebuilt...) I've overheated my Merc 115 Outboard a few times when weeds have plugged the intakes, but always shut it down as soon as the overheat warning sounded. Mind you, not more than a few times, but yeah, even in those few times I was concerned more about frying the impellar. (Which didn't look that much worse for the wear when I changed it out earlier this fall.) Anyway, just my backyard mechanic mind says with the difference in compression and water in the oil, the blown head gasket still makes more sense.

[digger]

Have them sho you and point out how they come to their conclusion

[thataway]

Just another view--My close friend bought a used 25 with a Honda 150 (I believe about 700 hours) on it. The first time he took it out, it had an overheat alarm, went into limp home mode. They were towed in, and when the local Honda dealer started tearing the engine down, they found extensive corrosion causing obstruction in the water passages.

I would sure want to see exactly what the mechanic found. If it is shot (or not)--you are not going to damage it any more by taking a wrench to it, and completing the teardown.

[cmetzenberg]

Hi all.
875 bucks latter i am 100% sure the engine is in really bad shape lol. Scorn cylinders, rust on lots of stuff and the #4 piston has chips missing from the edges. It would take lots of machining to get this back running. I had another mechanic look at it as the heads were off, he said it's fubar too. Perhaps it's the kelp out here; filters can clog up a lot when you're looking for seabass...i don't know what else it could have been. I take damn good care of my engines so i'm guessing the kelp got them.

I wish i was dripping in money like it was 2014 and i was working back in Africa. I have the cash in the bank to repower the entire boat, but i have the financial sense not to do so. I like putting my money towards things that appreciate. That being said I would like to find the most cost effective solution that gets me back up and running; used engine, shortblock, machine and rebuild, a new 'blem'.

1. used engine.
at a glance on ebay i'm seeing used bf 150s from 4500 to 6500. Lots look pretty rough but i can put my current fairings on them. The hard part here is finding one that is mechanically sound and doing due diligence from a far.

2. longblock/crate engine. I don't know much about this option but i like the idea of replacing the powerhead as the rest of the engine is fine. I need to do research and analyse costs. I'm mechanically savy, wonder if i could do this myself?

3. machine and rebuild. I'm pretty sure this option is out due to the labor rates putting the preliminary quotes at or above the cost of used motors ~7k

4. A brand new blem. I could pick up a new blem tomorrow for 11700 sticker price. That's before I pull the walk in with cash trick at around 10k and say take it or leave it. This option would come with a warranty which is great but the cost puts me off; it's not the financially savvy Conrad thing to do...doesn't mean it isn't the smartest thing to do.

Any advise or resources would be appreciated guys.
Thanks,
-Conrad and his broke ass boat.

[westward]

"Brand new blem" for 10K would be my personal choice, for speed of repair and you end up with a brand new engine for not that much more than the used/rebuilt route. I wish you the best of luck with whatever you choose. Would really be curious to know what conditions caused your motor to fail as I run a variant of it myself (BF 135).

[localboy]

[hardee]

Conrad, I'm not a mechanic so first off, I would find one that I trust, recommended by someone I trusted I guess and then go with his recommendation. For me, the options you are looking at, I would be looking and liking the option for a "scratch and dent" new with a warranty. Seems like that would be a hard to be at offer.

Best in whatever you decide.

I was just looking over the photos from the Delta trip last spring, and remembering the fun, and sharing supper with you and family at the duck club. Hope for a great Thanksgiving for you all.

Harvey
SleepyC

[thataway]

No boat is an "investment"--except in pleasure. You may or may not break even when you eventually sell the boat.

For 10 K I would go with the "blem". As the boat is now--it is worth at least 10K less than it would be with both running engines..

I agree, it sure seems unusual that you were not getting alarms on the overheat. The several times I had debris or weed of any sort, there was an alarm and I was able to shut down, clean the foot, or back down (first thing to do).

Yes, you should be able to put a new/rebuilt block on the engine--but would it affect the warrantee? The problem with rebuilt is what condition was the block--it is not a new one--a core was taken in--and if you don't have a rebuildable core the price will be more. If you with a re-build, be sure and ask about reliability. I have found The Hull Truth probably has the best experience in numbers with outboards. (often 1000 boaters on line at one time). There are some rebuilders to avoid definitely.

[cmetzenberg]