On Sat, 08 May 2004 22:32:52 GMT, "Billgran"
wrote:


Terry Haywood wrote in message
.. .
On Sat, 08 May 2004 19:19:59 GMT, "Lawrence James"
wrote:


Yes, I removed those drain plugs from both sides of the block and left
them out. Also drained the exhaust things and pulled off the cooling
water hoses from the water pump.

It's the same thing I have done for the past few years, don't know
what is different. Agree it sounds like a cracked block.




Just above the circulation pump, on the front of the intake manifold, there
is a pipe plug that has to be removed to drain trapped water on late model
4.3L engines. Was this done? Many mechanics are not aware of this drain if

No, I didn't do that, and my boat does have those plugs. One on top
and one on the starboard side.
I see what I did wrong. I usually pull the hose from the circulation
pump and drain it that way. I may have forgotten to do that.

they have not attended a training seminar or a factory school concerning
this engine.

The bottom of the intake manifold cracks from the freezing water and when
you fire it up the following spring, cooling water flows thru the crack and
right into the lifter valley, and down to the oil pan. Your best bet is to
pull the manifold and that way you can check for cracks in it and also
inspect the lifter valley walls for freeze cracks.

I'll pull the manifold tomorrow and see what I find. How do you fix
cracks? Weld them? Replace the manifold? JB Weld? I guess I'll figure
that out when/if I find the problem.

Thanks very much for the help, it's great to have an idea of what's
going on rather than just plunging in.

Terry

Bill Grannis
service manager