2001 4.3 vortec oil is milky

[jcfeeley]

I recently acquired this boat and it sat for several years but they still changed the oil yearly. This year they replaced the Exhaust risers, I am unsure if the replaced exhaust manifolds, and I was told when they went to change the oil they noticed it was milky. They refilled with oil went to start the motor and it wouldn't turn over. I pulled the plugs and light brown oil and water came out of every cylinder, I hand turned over the motor and shot all the watery oil out and then blew out each cylinder. I then used oil extractor and sucked about 2 quarts of water out of the oil pan. I tested the cooling system as described in other posts and it wont hold any pressure. I heard and feel the air coming out of the oil filler. I know intake manifold gaskets are problematic with these motors but would this cause everything i found? Or would it be head gasket or worse case cracked block?

 

[tpenfield]

Welcome to iBoats . . .

Why did you acquire this boat? Who are 'they'?

Sounds like a freeze damaged engine, i.e. cracked engine block.

 

[Scott Danforth]

first, welcome aboard

second, did you buy the boat without a sea trial?
third, how was the boat winterized?

 

[matt167]

The good thing is you can buy a late model S10 engine for a replacement. And change a few things

 

[jcfeeley]

Welcome to iBoats . . .

Why did you acquire this boat? Who are 'they'?

Sounds like a freeze damaged engine, i.e. cracked engine block.

Thank you, I was given the boat by a friends family member who no longer used it and wanted the driveway space back. And cracked block was what i was worried about.

 

[jcfeeley]

first, welcome aboard

second, did you buy the boat without a sea trial?
third, how was the boat winterize

Thankfully I didn't buy the boat it was gifted to me to free up driveway space. The boat hadn't been in the water in many years, the previous owners stay it was winterized after it was last taken out of the water, but im not sure how they winterized it

 

[Scott Danforth]

Thankfully I didn't buy the boat it was gifted to me to free up driveway space. The boat hadn't been in the water in many years, the previous owners stay it was winterized after it was last taken out of the water, but im not sure how they winterized it

I would look for a new motor at this point. If your boat is bigger than 19', I would jump to a V8 like @Scott06 did on his.

 

[Scott06]

I would look for a new motor at this point. If your boat is bigger than 19', I would jump to a V8 like @Scott06 did on his.

That exactly why I repowered. PO had cracked the block. Likely you will find the block cracked below the heads in the lifter valley. Easy to pull the intake to confirm. My boat (2004 Sea Ray 200) was offered with 4.3 and 5.0 engine options. Stringers and engine bay were set up for the longer engine. i out a 5.0 in but knowing what i know now i would have just gone up to. 5.7 and swapped upper drive to get the gear ratio straight. Was a relatively easy project and the boat has provided years of fun for my family.

 

[jcfeeley]

That exactly why I repowered. PO had cracked the block. Likely you will find the block cracked below the heads in the lifter valley. Easy to pull the intake to confirm. My boat (2004 Sea Ray 200) was offered with 4.3 and 5.0 engine options. Stringers and engine bay were set up for the longer engine. i out a 5.0 in but knowing what i know now i would have just gone up to. 5.7 and swapped upper drive to get the gear ratio straight. Was a relatively easy project and the boat has provided years of fun for my family

Thats my next plan to pull inake off and have a look thou i think i know my answer. This is a 2001 Sea Ray 182, So ill probably stick with the 4.3 but put a 4 barrel carb on to bump up Horsepower

 

[Lou C]

Might also want to think about adding at lease a half (block only) closed cooling system. Reason being one of the biggest drawbacks to inboards vs outboards is that inboards do not self drain like outboards. You forget once to drain when freezing temps hit & you’re done, new engine time. The half system which is pretty simple to install at least will protect the engine.

 

[Scott06]

Thats my next plan to pull inake off and have a look thou i think i know my answer. This is a 2001 Sea Ray 182, So ill probably stick with the 4.3 but put a 4 barrel carb on to bump up Horsepower

If yiu check below the cylinder heads, water passage on intake and the exhaust manifolds you will have it covered.

 

[Lou C]

Those engines sometimes crack on the inside of the cyls which will be visible when you pull the intake. The intake itself can crack right under the thermostat housing and the intake gaskets can leak water in if they were over torqued. The torque specs for the Vortec are much lower than those for the Pre-Vortec.