cracked manifold?

[brunolund]

helping out a buddy today,(huszmann), who was getting water in his oil. somebody else winterized the boat, well before freezing, and i know for a fact that the four drain plugs were removed. two from the block, and one from each exhaust manifold. i know, because i saw them laying on the bottom of the boat in the spring. not sure what else was done. anyway today we pressure tested the cooling system, and sure enough there was definitly an audible leak. thought we'd check out the intake gaskets and the lifter valley, fearing the crack would be there. no such luck. checked the bottom of tha intake for corrosion, looked good. on closer examination, this is what we saw.

 

[brunolund]

Re: cracked manifold?

has anybody seen this before, i never thought a manifold would hold enough water to crack like this. is it possible a stuck thermostat could aid in this? it looked pretty rusty, although seemed to be working last year. do you think this could just be welded and reused, or is a new manifold required. how do we make sure this doesn't happen again, short of opening the thermostat housing and sucking the water out of there.

the motor is an '01 volvo 4.3gl, 2 bbl, serial number 4012049665, with an sx drive.

looking for thoughts and opinions., thanks

 

[Don S]

Re: cracked manifold?

Does this engine with the cracked manifold have a year, make, model, serial number, or any of that good stuff?

 

[huszmann]

Re: cracked manifold?

the motor is an '01 volvo 4.3gl, 2 bbl, serial number 4012049665

 

[brunolund]

Re: cracked manifold?

info is in second post. forgot it in first, added 1 min later.

 

[littlebookworm]

Re: cracked manifold?

I don't know if you can repair it; if it were my engine, I would simply replace it. All you need is one puddle of water in the wrong area to create a crack over the winter. This is why I always flood the engine with anti-freeze in the fall winterization. I know some experts, whose advice I strongly respect, say it's not necessary because "air can't freeze." I disagree, for the reason you've seen. Water in the cooling system can sometimes be missed due to some corrosion blocking easy flow out. As to preventing it: Next fall, remove the drain plugs; clean out the fittings; remove the thermostat housing; drain the oil cooler, if there is one; remove the big hose from the water pump; pour antifreeze into the thermostat housing. When it comes out the bottom, reinstall the drain plugs. Continue pouring in and closing up, Then continue pouring in the thermostat housing until it overflows. Then close up the housing with a new gasket and a new thermostat. That way, even if some small amount of water is in there it will mix with the antifreeze and leave you protected for the winter. Good luck. Hy

 

[bigskiohio]

Re: cracked manifold?

Thats exactly what i do thogh it is hard to get all the water out it
I found water in out drive when i took it apart this spring to replace water pump.

 

[brunolund]

Re: cracked manifold?

will definitly be using antifreeze nexzt year, and pulling the thermostat.
any ideas on the welding of the crack, or anybody got a used manifold?
alternately, would it be worth it going to a 4 bbl? i believe this engine is rated at 190 hp with a 2 bbl. what would a 4bbl get us?