Hydrolocking possible

[Keith7481]

I've read the posts here and I suspect I hydrolocked in the lake the other day. After dieseling for a couple of seconds, while shutting down from towing a skiier, the motor won't turn over, I haven't pulled the plugs yet, but after a day of waiting and thinking, no sign of oil in the water. Anyone know if its possible the cylinder(s) could retain the water without it leaking down into the pan. I would think that even with tight rings, eventually it would leak past?

 

[TilliamWe]

Re: Hydrolocking possible

Why did you wait? That was the WORST thing you could have done. It's more than likely that you have a cylinder or two full of water. Cylinders which are now beginning to rust. If you suspect water reversion, you ALWAYS remove the spark plugs immediately and spin the motor over to get the water out.
And even if the water leaked past the rings, the amount of water in 1 cylinder or two might not make the oil rise a noticeable amount. So GET THE WATER OUT OF THE CYLINDERS!! And get some lubrication in them immediately to prevent any rust.

 

[Doernuth]

Re: Hydrolocking possible

It most likely would have, also keep in mind that the water will sink to the bottom of the oil pan and might not show on the dip stick.

Pull the plugs and inspect them for signs of water intrusion. Try and turn the engine over with the plugs out and see if it will turn or spew water out of the plug holes.

If the engine truly hydrauliced and you tried to crank it you could have serious engine damage...

 

[Keith7481]

Re: Hydrolocking possible

I hadn't even heard of hydrolockig til I got home at night to check this forum. Left the boat with a reputable mechanic at the lake where I was towed. They told me they would check it today, but no phone call from them. After speaking with him this am, he agrees that this is probably the problem, but doesn't seem to concerned about the rusting problem?? Time for a new mechanic?

 

[chaparall villain 2]

Re: Hydrolocking possible

i had a 454 mercruiser do it to me one time when i stopped after pulling a tube and it filled almost all the cylinders it was a day before i finally figured it out and i pulled all the plugs ... turned it over and got the water out of the cylinders ... dryed the plugs put them back in and started it to let it run for about 20 minutes to let it dry the cylinders out ... you might also buy some engine fogging spray and shoot it in the carb while its running to lube the top end of the cylinders

 

[TilliamWe]

Re: Hydrolocking possible

Freshwater won't ruin the cylinders as fast as saltwater would. And if the cylinders are still FULL of water, well that's better (Less free floating oxygen in water to combine with the iron, than there is in the air.). But left alone long enough, the rust will pit the cylinder walls and lower compression. It could also ruin valves if there is any rust on the seats of them. All things being equal, a motor should never have water in the cylinders, (especially for days at a time) but it might not ruin it.

 

[Keith7481]

Re: Hydrolocking possible

Was hydrolocked on one cylinder. They dryed it out, oiled the cylinder, and fogged the entire engine. Cleaned the plugs and ran it for 20 minutes, with no problems. Whew. Dodged a bullet on that one. Cost was $200 which I felt was very fair. Thanks to everyone for their thoughts, as always much appreciated.

 

[fossill]

Re: Hydrolocking possible

Hopefully you go tthe dieselling issue fixed too or you will have a repeat of that problem.