Port motor went bad!

jordan · Post by **jordan** » Thu Aug 02, 2012 9:36 pm

My port motor started acting up, spitting oil out the breather and making an internal noise. Had the marina tech check it out and found number 4 cylinder has less than 30 psi! I'm thinking the best route is to order a long block and have the marina swap parts and install.
My question is this, has any one delt with Promar Marine Engines out of Paterson, New Jersey? They have Chrysler 318 counter rotation long blocks advertised for $ 2050.00 with free shipping.
Thanks, Jim

Commissionpoint · Post by **Commissionpoint** » Thu Aug 02, 2012 11:27 pm

2 grand plus or minus a few hundred seems reasonable enough. Don't know anything about the engine company other than the place they are located in is a pretty rough town. Check out Jasper, MichiganMotorz, and Marine Power.

alexander38 · Post by **alexander38** » Fri Aug 03, 2012 4:40 am

I wouldn't do Jasper, seen alot of them go back I've had two go back with less than 50k on them out of my FedEx Ground trucks. (350 small blocks)

Allen Sr · Post by **Allen Sr** » Fri Aug 03, 2012 5:21 am

alexander38 wrote:I wouldn't do Jasper, seen alot of them go back I've had two go back with less than 50k on them out of my FedEx Ground trucks. (350 small blocks)

+1 Jasper is junk IMO A friend of mine lost FedEx as an account do to Jasper's Junk. All over warranty labor. One of the biggest problems was the re-man on start up would pour oil out the rear main seal!

prowlersfish · Post by **prowlersfish** » Fri Aug 03, 2012 6:46 am

I am no fan of Jasper myself , But others swear by them and don't have problems ,

Your looking for a engine and going have the marina install it . I would look at what the marina has to offer for engines. That way if there is a problem they will take care of it . If you buy it and they install it and something happens you maybe out of luck . The engine may have a warranty but you may have to pay the labor again or part of it. Or the engine re-builder will blame on the install and you stuck . It may cost a little more but it may be worth it .

Jerry · Post by **Jerry** » Fri Aug 03, 2012 9:02 am

I would not jump to any conclusions myself until you do a bit more testing to find out what is wrong.
A compression test is very vague at best.
Do a cylinder leak down test and find out exactly where the leaked compression is going.
You stated oil is coming out of the breather.... that could be as easy as a blown head gasket.
What do the plugs look like?
You may be right and the engine could be trashed but I would want to know for sure before I went replacing the entire thing.

larryeddington · Post by **larryeddington** » Fri Aug 03, 2012 10:02 am

++++++ on cylinder leakdown test or also called a "blow down test" it will tell you where the issue is.

My old friend Harbor freight carries a reasonably priced cylinder leakage tester, everyone should have one that does any evaluation of engines. Even better than compression gauge, IMO

jddens · Post by **jddens** » Fri Aug 03, 2012 10:51 am

Don't overlook the possibility of rebuilding your existing engine. That's the route I took last year and am very glad it did. Problem with reman'ed engine is yes, they have a warranty but often it is your expense to pull it and send it back and then re-install the new one.

Paul's right on. If you have the marina do the whole thing then they own it and are right there......huge advantage if you have any problems....John

jordan · Post by **jordan** » Fri Aug 03, 2012 10:26 pm

Great advice everyone, that's why I love this forum! I will call the marina Monday morn and ask them to do a leak down test. Good thought on having the marina supply and install the engine because of the warranty issue. I didn't think of that. Even though I'm capable of winterizing my motors, I pay them to do it just for that reason, it freezes, they bought it.
Thanks everyone!

larryeddington · Post by **larryeddington** » Sat Aug 04, 2012 9:19 am

Make sure they do a cylinder leakdown test. There a lot of mechanics that do not know what it is and rely solely on compression test which is will not tell you where the blowby or leakage is coming from, could be head gasket, valve seals, piston rings, pistons, head gasket or crack in head or block is possible. The cylinder leakage should allow a correct diagnosis. BTW I have two good 318 heads that I have not taken off a cracked engine. Am about to tote it to metal crusher, let me know if you want them or anyone else, normal cam shaft and lifter as well. Had about 900 hours and was running when I took it out of boat, due to block freezing.

jordan · Post by **jordan** » Sat Aug 04, 2012 11:24 am

Thanks everyone, I'll keep you posted on the progress! Thanks for the offer Larry, it would be awesome if it was in the valve train or head gasket!