Non-winterized Bayliner Inboard - possible no cracked block?

Question

A wife's friend is selling a 14' bayliner, with inboard 4-cylinder motor ( Pontiac? ), and the reason it never ran again was the late Father didn't winterize the motor. The boat has been stored inside a garage ( not sure if heated or not ), and the boat wouldn't start the next spring. What is the possibility that the block is ok, just has carburetor issues? What else besides pure anti-freeze is done during a Winterizing process? The son claimed the motor was blown, but the daughter says no, it just wouldn't start the next spring, and her Dad didn't do the winterizing that year. What's your opinion? Is the boat and trailer worth $500? Both look great, being stored indoors. How easy is it to check for a cracked block visually on one of these? Thanks for your opinions!

Answer 1

Even replacing the engine is not that big a deal.

Note that a boat (any boat) uses a lot of fuel, that plus the economy situation, means boat values are dropping fast.

Answer 2

A motor with a cracked block will still run 9 times out of ten. If it won't start, it's not because the block is cracked. It's more likely a fuel or spark problem.

Answer 3

I think Bayliner is bottom of the barrel for boats, but for 500 bucks the trailer and boat may be worth it. Change the oil in the engine and try to start it. Make sure you have water hooked up to the outdrive. If after turning the engine over for a while and it does not start..check the oil. If the oil looks like a milkshake....you have something cracked internally in the head or block. If the oil looks good, try to repair the carb and get it running. Once you have it running, shut it off and check the oil again. Same as above....milkshake is bad....clean oil is good. If you notice the oil level on the dipstick is higher than when you started this process....you have water entering the crankcase from somewhere internally.

Good luck with it!

Answer 4

500 bucks sounds good to me thats a project boat

if you cant get it started you can always sell the trailer

Answer 5

To check for a cracked block or manifold.The easiest way is to run the engine with water hooked up.As for not starting,4

cylinder motors after sitting for a time never start.I have found

that 9 out of 10 times it is because of no spark.The easiest fix

without installing new ones is to remove them and clean the contacts with some sandpaper.Reinstall them and set them at

.022th.Give it a little shot of fuel in the carb and it will start.

Once you get it running,let it run with the water on for 10 or 15

minutes to see if any water either leaks outside or inside the motor.If the oil looks like a milkshake it is cracked,if it is only oil it is fine.As for whether it is worth $500.00(You could sell the drive alone for that.)Hope this helps and good luck.

Answer 6

what's it doing when it doesnt start???? it's not even cranking over, or it's cranking over but not firing, firing but not running???

Check your battery, clean the carb

Answer 7

Most of the time, you winterize your boat by changing oil and filter, filling the fuel and adding an additive like stabil and putting in the antifreeze. Some do more, some do less.  As for the boat not starting.... it could be many things,  low battery, bad gas, and like you said carburetor issues. The block issue is hard to answer, depending on the heated storage.  If you live up north where it gets super cold and freezes alot, chances are the block has a crack at least. Down south, you could luck out and have no damage.  If the boat is in decent shape its almost definitly worth 500 bucks.

Answer 8

500 bucks may be worth it.  But the block is probably cracked.  If you dont mind doing the work, then buy it, but be aware that you'll probably be replacing the engine.