Hi, this happened to me last week, while under way, my cowling filled with water and then filled the # 6 cylinder and bent a rod which went through the block - one power head no-go.

The water came in to the cowling via its air in-take at the top of the cowling. I have no issue assuming that some of the water came in while I was drifting. It couldn't have filled completely as the engine started with no issue and we were half way up the drift, about a quarter mile, with about another quarter to go when the motor failed.

Where, Lake Erie, out of Buffalo. Day started off with 3.5's and quickly built to 4's. We completed 2 drifts with the odd wave getting into the 4.5 range. I was going to complete one more drift and check a spot closer to the launch for a drift or two and then likely head in.

While going through the process of calling 911 then transferred to Cost Guard and then on to a towing company and finally waiting for the tow, an hour and a half went by. In this time waves were building to 5 with the odd one at 5.

I have fished this water for a number of years. I respect the lake, and at where it started had no issue fishing. One drift sock did the trick just fine. It was a soft ride out and would have continued to be so. I know my craft and run it for my comfort, so speed was not an issue. The waves do however cause an issue, for in going into them the boat is in a 20 to 40 degree angle which can cause the motor to site very low in the water. Add the odd funny wave and I have to assume there are times when the cowling may be fully submerged.

What I want to understand is, Why Was There No Alarm to tell me this was going on. If I had known, all I had to do was full raise the motor and it would have drained via the hose the gas/electric/linkage cables/hoses enters the cowling. Problem solved.

I'm not happy is an understatement. $8,000.00+ is what I'm looking at all for the lack of an alarm.

Has this happened to anyone else in the last few years, say from 2000 to date, and if so, did the manufacture give you any assistance. Please add to this thread or PM me if you wish to let me know.

My dealer is telling me it is unlikely I will receive any. I think this is a design flaw, missing a simple alarm.

Type of motor is not the issue as I understand it; none of them have this alarm. Mine is an Evinrude 200 HP.

No, I have not discussed this with my insurance company yet; I plan to after I discuss it fully with Evinrude.

Thx, Wayne Gatt

Since I'm a fresh water bass boat type, never have seen one where water came in the cowl opening but have seen several hydro-lock because of a water leak inside the cover.  Seen more than one water pressure guage hose come off and flood the lower cover until water was sucked in #6.

No there is no warning system for this, I guess they figured the $10 cost was not worth it.

If things were done right and you got it to a smart mechanic quickly, you damages could be less the $1,500.  Depending on the year model of the rude, if it's pre 99 carb motor you can find good used blocks for less than $500, I've actually bought mint used blocks for $250 for the carb motors.  3.0 ficht blocks are very reasonable also.  3.3L ficht blocks are not so easy but I just turned down a complete, running 2003 3.3 ficht, 25" shaft with high hours (over 900) on it for $1,100 so good used parts are available.   If your motor was treated properly right away so the water didn't rust the crank, a block rod, piston and gasket set will put you back on the water.  Also, unless there was some serious damage, blocks are easily welded.  I seen some pretty big holes and cracks welded as long as it was below the water jackets.

Thx Way2slow

I had her int the dealer as soon as I could, no chance that was an issue. C-Rod bent and went through the cylinder walls, not repairable. She is a 2004 200HP. So I'm told obtaining a used power head is not very likely.

I've gone to Evinrude and stated my case. I still think a $10 alarm of water under the cowling would have saved the day.

Thx, Wayne

Yep, 2004 is the 3.3L block and good used ones are a little harder to come by, the drag racers and hotrod motor builders are buying them up about as fast as they come up forsale. Those blocks can be made to make some tremendous hp and torque and are very sought after.

If they just looked at it, saw the hole and said you need another powerhead, the crank is probably junk from the water by now anyway, but I have seen some mighty big holes that rods came through be welded up. Hotrodders blow them all the time with some major holes and damage and still weld them up. When you spend months porting and preping a block, you will do all kinds of stuff to save it.

Then again, you're having to mess with a dealer and they don't know much about that kind of stuff because they can't afford to spend the time and they have to warrenty their work so they don't take the chance.

Not sure if the dealer told you but since your powerhead is considered not rebuildable, they won't take it as a core so you can't get the core value off another powerhead. Looks like your best deal is to bite the bullet and buy a new E-tec and sell me that one.

Thx for the infor, but tell me, what can I expect to get for this motor with its power head blown, but lots of parts in great shape. She likely has only 50 to 75 hours on her. I fish a lot, but I run to the spot and then fish for hour(s) there. So the rude doesn't in a days fishing see a lot of run time.

Wayne

You would be surprised at just how little the junkyard (what they pay) value is.  I would suspect you would have a hard time getting $800 for it just sold to as is.   Where you have the most potential to get max dollar is parting it out on ebay.  It has the potential of getting a couple of $K doing that.   The ECU and injectors are very expensive but the ECU can only be programmed as a 200, even and the injectors require the fuel curve data, which they don't have for someone else to use one and it cost almost rebuilt price to send one off and have it checked and get the fuel curve data.  If it was a 225 or 250, a lot of people buy the used ecu and injectors off those as a unit to upgrade their 200's

The next draw back is shipping the dang thing.  Unless you have an account with a motor freight company or whoever wants to buy it has one, shipping can run $600 easy, $200 with an account and then it has to be palitized or crated.

Thx Way2slow

Just updating you and everyone else, Evinrude left me high and dry, stating it had nothing to do with the design but also not an warrantee issue. They called it an accident.

Good news is my insurance is covering the repair which consists of installing a new power head. Extremely happy about that, still very angry at Evinrude which in my mind shows exactly what they think of their customers. Something I may not be for long.

Wayne