1986 Mercruiser 3.0 (140) oily foam coming out of valve by carb (water in oil?)

[Jarvis73]

We just had a pretty massive storm (upstate NY- Conesus Lake) and when I got to the boat today after 2 days of rain, it was totally full of water, all the way up to the bottom of the engine. I bailed it out, cleaned the junk out of the bilge pump and used that to get the last of the water, then let it sit for a few minutes and tried starting it up. Started a little rough, but ran ok after a minute. Let it sit and warm up a little, then after about 5 minutes I started noticing this foamy oily stuff coming out under the breather so I pulled that off and it was bubbling out all over. I shut it down and took this pic. It's got the consitency of lotion and smells like gas. I'm hoping someone can help me figure out what's going on. Does this indicate water got into the engine ? Is there any easy way to fix this, or should I bite the bullet and bring it to the marina ? Is it safe to limp it across the lake to the marina the way it is, or would that be a horrible idea? Thanks in advance for any advice you can lend.

 

[Fishermark]

Looks like water got into your crankcase somehow. Check your oil level - I suspect you will find it is way too full. A simple solution would be to change the oil and run it up to temp and see if that solves the problem.

 

[Fishermark]

Just as a follow up - I'm not sure how water would get into your crankcase just from the rain. So you may have other issues. BUT - if it is simply from the rain, then changing the oil should solve the problem. Running it up to temperature after changing the oil will evaporate any leftover water residue.

 

[TunaFish389]

I would change the oil first thing, it does look like its coming from there. Your dip stick should have the same stuff on it to verify. I would then run it and change the oil again. If you still have this issue after then might be a bad head gasket.

I wouldn't personally run it this way. No way to know if it would do damage or not.

 

[Jarvis73]

thanks very much, I appreciate it a lot.

 

[Alumarine]

You can use cheap car oil to flush it a few times.

 

[kenny nunez]

There is a small vent hole on the side of the fuel pump that will let water in the engine if the water reaches that point.
Just like Fishermark said, when the engine gets up to operating temperature you will see steam coming out the vent tube, just rotate it away from the flame arrestor until the steam clears.

 

[Benny67]

Might not hurt to throw in a couple of shots of seafoam in the fresh changed oil as well.

 

[Bondo]

then let it sit for a few minutes and tried starting it up.

Ayuh,..... Welcome Aboard,..... Did you check the oil level, before ya started it up,..??..??

If not, it's a good habit to get into, Every time ya start it up, 1st time everyday,.....