1987 2.3l Ford OMC

[JJ Oregon]

So.....we saved money to buy this boat to make memories with kids and so on. After we bought it, I was advised to check impeller. I did and the housing was melted but the impeller was good. I bought a new impeller and housing kit and replaced it. We launched the boat and after I adjusted trim to plane the boat out I let off the throttle and it died. I couldn't get it started again so as I was rowing back to the dock someone was kind enough to your me back. After sitting for a while it started and as I let it idle it started to over heat. I checked the oil and it was milky. I shut it down and took it to a shop. They replaced the exhaust riser gasket and thermostat and oil. They started it and found water in the number one cylinder. I don't have any more money for shops or mechanics so I'm going to take head off today and hope it's a head gasket. Any advice? We worked overtime and saved to buy, what I thought was a good deal, and now I'm feeling like a mistake was made.

 

[southkogs]

Have you done a compression check on the engine? How about a test of the water flow? There are several reasons that water can get in a marine engine, so avoid guessing as much as you can. Try and find the reason - it may keep you off the water for a little bit, but it'll also get you back there faster.

Sorry for the trials. It's a bummer when you just wanna' get out there an play on the lake.

Welcome aboard.

 

[JJ Oregon]

The shop said a compression test didn't recall anything. What, other than a head, could be the cause of water in the cylinder? I'm new to all this so experience is invaluable to me right now. Thank you.

 

[Scott Danforth]

first, do a compression test. if a cylinder is low, do a leak down test

then do a water jacket pressure test prior to pulling the head. pressurize the water jacket to 15 psi and listen. this will tell you if you may have a cracked block from improper winterization or a head gasket.

if the motor is bad, look for a motor (long block only) from a 1987 ford ranger, put in brass core plugs and a marine head gasket and swap over your marine parts bolted to your longblock

 

[JJ Oregon]

Thank you very much. I just pulled spark plugs and have water in the there I've pulled so far. How do I pressurize the water jacket? I'll do a compression test next

 

[JJ Oregon]

If one of my cylinders had low compression it's that an indication of a bad head gasket?

 

[southkogs]

I wouldn't call it 100%, but it's a good chance. But you've also got water intrusion. I'd stay with Scott's program.

 

[JJ Oregon]

Compression test results
cylinder one: 120lbs
Cylinder two: 110lbs
Cylinder three: 90lbs
Cylinder four: 180lbs

 

[JJ Oregon]

Also I had all for spark plugs out and when I started compression test on cylinder one, cylinder four shot out a lot of water. All four had water in them. Any ideas

 

[Scott Danforth]

based on the compression readings cylinder 4 still has water in it.

put air pressure in cylinder 3, and listen for air hissing. if its coming out the intake or exhaust its valves. if its coming out the oil fill cap, its headgasket or rings.

to pressure test the water jacket. plug off the hose from the thermostat housing to the exhaust. take the hose from the transom shield and put in a pressure gauge and fill hose and pressurize to 15psi and listen for leaks

hopefully you simply have a head gasket failure.

summit racing or napa for felpro marine gaskets.

 

[JJ Oregon]

Thank you very much. I'll let you know

 

[JJ Oregon]

Update. I put air into cylinders and air was coming out of oil filter on valve cover. Is that head gasket or valves?

 

[Scott Danforth]

It's either Rings, a cracked cylinder wall, or a head gasket. I would pull the head and take a look

 

[JJ Oregon]

There is rust and water in my intake manifold. Mostly in center two ports.

 

[Scott Danforth]

There is rust and water in my intake manifold. Mostly in center two ports.

Leaking manifold/riser would be first guess

 

[Keyboardman]

First off I would not trust a 31 year old exhaust manifold and riser. I have two from the early 90's that are both toast. I found a new aftermarket manifold for $600. There are a couple of new risers left around too but they wanted $800. I found a like new freshwater one for $150.