Engine injested water

J

JeffBlohm

Cadet
Joined
Jun 16, 2007
Messages
6
Boat is a bayliner 2556 purchased 10/07 engine was surveyed(run tested compression check, all ok) prior to purchase. Logged 10hrs before hauling boat for winter to replace outdrive(this was anticipated prior to purchase, I already had a VP duoprop)

Engine: 1989 350 GM set up to OMC FWC(engine was replaced in 2003 by local marine repair facility). Previous owner logged less than 100 hrs on this engine.

The engine is out of the boat on a test stand. Installed new: manifolds/risers oil change, replace coolant, plugs, plug wires, dist. cap, rotor, timing set(had a pertronix electronic ignit. installed just prior to purchace).

The problem: The engine was started idled fine at first, started to run rough, set timing, runs good for a while then it stumbles and dies a couple of times, restart and it runs ok but not great will look at carb the following day. The following day check oil prior to running, level way to high. Investigate find oil in water, remove all plugs some moisture in 2 and 4. Drain and change 6 times run engine 20 min between changes(read Don S bulletin on water intrusion) no further sign of water in oil. Pull new man/riser no apparent signs of leakage, closed cooling system and no loss of coolant.

The question: When cold the engine starts and idles good for the first couple of minutes, then it stumbles and wants to die this comes and goes for five or ten minutes, eventually it settles and runs fine, (I did get the carb adjusted with a vacume gauge). So whats up and do I need to worry about future water ingestion?

Thanks Jeff (won't be able to reply till this evening)
 
J

JeffBlohm

Cadet
Joined
Jun 16, 2007
Messages
6
Re: Engine injested water

I did recheck the compression all within range of 133-140
Jeff
 
Haut Medoc

Haut Medoc

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Jun 29, 2004
Messages
10,645
Re: Engine injested water

JeffBlohm said:
Boat is a bayliner 2556 purchased 10/07 engine was surveyed(run tested compression check, all ok) prior to purchase. Logged 10hrs before hauling boat for winter to replace outdrive(this was anticipated prior to purchase, I already had a VP duoprop)

Engine: 1989 350 GM set up to OMC FWC(engine was replaced in 2003 by local marine repair facility). Previous owner logged less than 100 hrs on this engine.

The engine is out of the boat on a test stand. Installed new: manifolds/risers oil change, replace coolant, plugs, plug wires, dist. cap, rotor, timing set(had a pertronix electronic ignit. installed just prior to purchace).

The problem: The engine was started idled fine at first, started to run rough, set timing, runs good for a while then it stumbles and dies a couple of times, restart and it runs ok but not great will look at carb the following day. The following day check oil prior to running, level way to high. Investigate find oil in water, remove all plugs some moisture in 2 and 4. Drain and change 6 times run engine 20 min between changes(read Don S bulletin on water intrusion) no further sign of water in oil. Pull new man/riser no apparent signs of leakage, closed cooling system and no loss of coolant.

The question: When cold the engine starts and idles good for the first couple of minutes, then it stumbles and wants to die this comes and goes for five or ten minutes, eventually it settles and runs fine, (I did get the carb adjusted with a vacume gauge). So whats up and do I need to worry about future water ingestion?

Thanks Jeff (won't be able to reply till this evening)
Click to expand...
1). That sounds like a sticky choke to me.....
2). The only way to get water in your oil in a full closed system is from a bad riser, bad man/riser gasket or dieseling......
Oh, or it is getting into the carb through the flame arrestor somehow....
Welcome to iboats, btw....:)
 
H

HT32BSX115

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Dec 8, 2005
Messages
10,083
Re: Engine injested water

Howdy,

Now that it's back together and in the boat it's doing the same thing?

I.E. when it quits do you still have water in the oil and is there ALWAYS "moisture" (how much?) in only 2 & 4?

When you said "oil in the water" did you really mean water in the oil?


You may have either a cracked head, cracked block, or a blown head gasket(s) if it's ALWAYS the same cyls. (you also may have a broken intake gasket and it's sucking a little water into those cyls. do you ever have standing water on top of the engine (from rain etc)?

Are you in "cold country" and/or has it always had anti-freeze in the block?



I had a similar problem with my 460. It would leak a little water past both riser gaskets every time I shut it down. If it sat long enough it would start up with no problems. If I tried to start it within 10-15 min it would turn a half turn or so and abruptly stop.....a couple of times....seeming to hydro-lock briefly....then it would crank and start. If I let it sit for an hour or so it cranked normally and finally started. The water always ended up in the crankcase.


Just some things to think about. It's pretty hard to diagnose any engine problem without seeing and being there!


Regards,


Rick
 
Haut Medoc

Haut Medoc

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Jun 29, 2004
Messages
10,645
Re: Engine injested water

This is a closed system, he would have anti freeze in his oil if it were a cracked head, cracked block, bad head gasket, whatever.......;)​
 
C

Coors

Captain
Joined
Dec 8, 2006
Messages
3,367
Re: Engine injested water

As soon as it stumbles, try turning it off and pulling the plugs.
Spin it over to see if any water shoots out.
 
Bt Doctur

Bt Doctur

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Aug 29, 2004
Messages
19,428
Re: Engine injested water

Sure sounds like a bad manifold. you just may have to pull the riser and put some water in the manifold and watch the area between #2 & #4 on the bottom of the manifold. Had a brand new Mercruiser one do that.
 
J

JeffBlohm

Cadet
Joined
Jun 16, 2007
Messages
6
Re: Engine injested water

The engine is still on the test stand and I've checked all cyl by pulling plugs for signs of water especially 2 and 4 there has been no water in any of them and the oil is clean since the initial ingestion, the engine has been run at 15 to twenty minute intervals for a couple of hours. I've pulled the manifolds and risers after the initial incident and the only evidence of water was from the riser exit running back through it(not sure this makes sense). I've kinda ruled out cracked block, head gasket sine the coolant level remains the same and I gotten no more water.
I'm more concerned at this point why it seems to run fine on initial start up for a few minutes, then runs crappy stumbling and trying to die and eventually smoothing out and running fine.
I got the basics of engines but most of it is still foreign, but I'm willing to learn.
Thanks for the replies
Jeff
 
Haut Medoc

Haut Medoc

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Jun 29, 2004
Messages
10,645
Re: Engine injested water

Check your choke for proper operation.....;)​
 
C

Coors

Captain
Joined
Dec 8, 2006
Messages
3,367
Re: Engine injested water

If it's running back, is the engine at the same angle as when in boat?
Do you need riser extensions?
 
J

JeffBlohm

Cadet
Joined
Jun 16, 2007
Messages
6
Re: Engine injested water

Forgot to mention that, check it yesterday and it appears to operate fine.
Jeff
 
Don S

Don S

Honorary Moderator Emeritus
Joined
Aug 31, 2004
Messages
62,321
Re: Engine injested water

Carb ice can cause your running problem in the first 5 minutes of running. Just start it up and run it about 1200 rpm. When it slows down to about 600, shut it off for a couple of minutes. That will allow the ice to melt off the throttle plates and it will be fine for the rest of the day.
In the Puget Sound area, temps in the lower to mid 40's will really cause carb ice.
 
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