Water in lube oil

[Prospector]

Engine is a 2001 Merc 60HP carb. Bigfoot. When laid up in October 2009 everything was running fine. I changed lube oil recently and drained 4 quarts instead of 3 out of engine. Oil was brownish grey color. I suspect at least 25% of drained oil was water. I haven't checked compresssion of each cylinder yet but I suspect a blown headgasket. Is there something else I should be suspecting?

Thanks

 

[crem1]

Re: Water in lube oil

Could be a leak through the seals around the propeller shaft and the seals under the water pump base.

 

[Prospector]

Re: Water in lube oil

Water is in crankcase not in lower gear case. This is a 4-stroke engine

 

[crem1]

Re: Water in lube oil

Sorry about that, then check the compression. If PSI fairly even then it's a gasket leak

 

[achris]

Re: Water in lube oil

Have you confirmed it's water? If not, do a crackle test. It could be gas.

Crackle test...

Get some of the suspect oil and about 1/2 fill a tablespoon (that the big one the wife uses when she's cooking cakes and stuff). Then get a cigarette lighter and heat it up. if there's water in it, it'll crackle as the water boils off. If no water, it'll just get hot and fumes will come off. Please don't sniff the fumes I don't want a lawsuit to land on my doorstep..... also be warned, the oil and the spoon will be hot and you should be careful with them until they cool. Best to also wear a glove so as not to risk a burnt hand, that will be holding the spoon, and The Surgeon General warns that smoking can harm your unborn baby, so please use the lighter only to heat the oil, in the spoon. Have I missed anything guys? (Can't be too careful when giving advise you know)...........

 

[Prospector]

Re: Water in lube oil may be fuel in the oil!

Re: Water in lube oil may be fuel in the oil!

That is a great suggestion. I never thought it could be fuel that is getting into my crankcase and not water. This makes a lot sense. I will heat a sample in a large metal spoon and observe if the water boils off (crackels). If it doesn't crackel, then it probably is gas. Fortunatley I did set aside about 6 ounces in a clear glass to see if the water and oil separate but after more than 24 hours the mixture is still pretty much the same color except for a very slight skim of dark color. If it is gas, what should I suspect? Maybe a fuel pump problem? I hope your analysis is correct because finding and fixing a fuel problem is a lot less expensive than a head gasket replacement. I'll keep you posted as to what I find and thanks again for the suggestion.

 

[sschefer]

Re: Water in lube oil

The symptom you're describing is called "Making Oil" alot of 4 stroke outboards do it to some extent, some worse than others. Older motors tend to burn it off so it's not as noticable. When was the last time you changed the oil and filter.

If it's black, it's coke blow-by, if it's brown it's fuel if it's white it's water. If you're running ethanol gas without a water separator you might have some water. After sitting all winter, if it was water, the water would have come out first and the oil might have looked almost normal.

 

[Prospector]

Re: Water in lube oil- now probably it's fuel not water

Re: Water in lube oil- now probably it's fuel not water

I change oil and filter every spring (about 30-50 hours operation). I always use Mercury 4 stroke 10W-30 oil and Quicksilver filter. The oil I drained is brown. If it's fuel, and I now suspect it is, is the probable cause a bad fuel pump diaphram?

 

[ZigZaggin]

Re: Water in lube oil

How about have a sample tested? I did a quick search and checkout http://www.oaitesting.com/prices_automotive_fleet.htm Appears to be pretty legit. No, I don't work for them or have any affiliation but for $25 why not find out exactly what it is? Fuel? Water? Sounds like speculation so far.

-zig

 

[Prospector]

Gasoline in lube oil

Gasoline in lube oil

T'stat checked out OK - opened at 120F. Temp. Sensor checked out OK with OHM and hot water test. I'm changing t'stat and temp sensor anyway. Enricher checked out OK with OHM and 12VDC test. Opened fuel pump and diaphragms looked OK but I will change the inboard diaphragm anyway. Could a bad carburetor float cause fuel to leak into oil?