I beleive I popped a head gasket, what do you think? w/pics..

[jim1648]

My outboard (175TL77) started to develop a little bit of a miss last Friday. So I pulled the plugs and they all looked fairly normal except for the one on the bottom port side which was very clean. My thoughts where head gasket. So I pulled the head off and the piston from that hole looked cleaned off on the left side as well. Would you guys agree on it being a head gasket failure? Thanks in advance, Jim

 

[Faztbullet]

Re: I beleive I popped a head gasket, what do you think? w/pics..

That looks normal and the cleaning is from the fuel transfer ports. I would look at the cylinder the plug on the left came from as it looks fouled. Water in cylinder the would steam clean the top and brow of piston.

 

[jim1648]

Re: I beleive I popped a head gasket, what do you think? w/pics..

Why do you suppose that one spark plug got cleaned off like that? I also found a couple drops of water in that cylinder when I pulled the head. Do you think its possible that I may have caught it quick enough to where it didn't get a chance to clean off the piston all the way? I did a spark check and compression test earlier this past summer and all the plugs looked the same at that point. I have to put a new gasket on now, And ill check the bottom carb while I'm at it. Beyond that, I'm not to sure.

 

[jmendoza]

Re: I beleive I popped a head gasket, what do you think? w/pics..

Yes, you can see the other cylinder has carbon where the other does not, so you caught it in time. Replace the head gasket, re-torque after an hour of running when the engine is cool. Good job, you averted a major dissaster!

 

[ncnjeremy]

Re: I beleive I popped a head gasket, what do you think? w/pics..

Yes, you can see the other cylinder has carbon where the other does not, so you caught it in time. Replace the head gasket, re-torque after an hour of running when the engine is cool. Good job, you averted a major dissaster!

Yes sir, major disaster averted!!!! I have blew a head gasket b4 on a old 350 and also on a little 40 horse on a jon boat. Its never fun. It can get nasty. Gotta love seeing water all in the oil when u check it!

 

[petryshyn]

Re: I beleive I popped a head gasket, what do you think? w/pics..

Have a close look at the old head gasket. If there is no evidence of failure.....I'd remove the exhaust cover and replace those gaskets as well....

 

[emdsapmgr]

Re: I beleive I popped a head gasket, what do you think? w/pics..

If you see no problem with the seal ring on the head gasket, start checking the exhaust cover gaskets (as petryshyn suggested) for the water leak. Exhaust water leaks tend to affect the bottom cyls-which is where your problem is.