My boat engine froze and broke. How much to repair?

Question

It's a 260 mercruiser and it apprarently was winterized too late in the season so we have some problems. I'm wondering what actually takes place when it is "froze and broke" as the marina explains. This is a new engine just replaced two years ago so I'm beside myself right now.

Answer 1

If the water cooling jacket in the engine froze and cracked the block it will allow water to mix in the oil or in to the cylinders.  Does not sound very good.  A very expensive learning experience.

Answer 2

$3500 to $5000 at a marina.

Shop this around, and not just on price, but on quality. Make sure they offer a warranty going forward, and a long one. I had a nightmare experience on a rebuild, the second guy who rebuilt said "I have never seen a worse engine rebuild in my career. And, I have been doing this 20 years." He was a performance builder by trade and fixed my engine for 1/3 what the marina wanted. He offered me a lifetime warranty on the work he did. Can you believe that?!?!?

BTW: true story.

Answer 3

This is a relatively common problem.  The key is to determine exactly where the "crack" or  cracks are located.  That means that the engine has to be disassembled.  The most common repair is a "short block"  All if the "bolt-on" parts are simply transferred to the new block.  This is labor intensive but,straight forward.  Cost depends on shopping around, but keep in mind that good mechanics will do a good job that you can depend on.  Prices for this repair are $2 to $6 thousand.  Better than replacement of the Engine.