Lots of Water in Oil!

[asianbandit]

Just picked up a 17' Renken tri-hull Fiberglass that has been sitting up for about 3 years outside.

The motor is an i/o: 1979 4 cycle GM, 140hp MerCrusier engine.

I pulled the dipstick out and it looks like chocolate milk/muddy sludge. The oil pan is full of this stuff. It is about 3 inches from the top of the dipstick.

I called a MerCruiser service center in the area and it is what I suspected, water and oil mixed together. The service technician said that it usually turns that way after it sits a while (like 3 years, I guess). He said that it could have come from condensation because it sat up for a long time, a crack in the block (which I don't see), or something else. I felt around the oil pan and it seems like there is a leak towards the front of the pan.

I could not find anywhere on the forum how bad having water in the oil truly is.

If it came from condensation, or a busted seal how would having water in the oil affect the engine?

If it was run with water in the oil could the motor be seized and not worth fixing?

How can I determine this on my own? If I cannot do this on my own I plan on taking her to the service technician to look at. I think they are going to charge me $85 to see what needs to be done in order to get her up and running.

What do you all think?

 

[tommays]

Re: Lots of Water in Oil!

I would think with that much water a cracked block would be a good guess


You can blow air in the water line from the outdrive and plug up the other hose that lets water OUT through the manifold if you here a lot of noise then that would be a good sign it is cracked

If holds air then there would be a different problem BUT with water in there that long it is a GOOD outlook




Tommays

 

[Haut Medoc]

Re: Lots of Water in Oil!

If it sat for three years with that sludge in the pan, it is a goner.....
That much water is usually a cracked block......
My advice is don't waste your time trying to ressurect that engine.....​

 

[asianbandit]

Re: Lots of Water in Oil!

If it sat for three years with that sludge in the pan, it is a goner.....
That much water is usually a cracked block......
My advice is don't waste your time trying to ressurect that engine.....​

I am not sure how long it has been sitting up with the mud sludge, could 3 years of condensation cause that much water? There is no leaking anywhere in the bilge, besides where the oil pan is dripping a little. Where the pan is leaking it looks like solid oil, which is weird. It might be something else leaking that is dripping on the inside of the oil pan.

It seems like a lost cause, huh? Just my luck...I can't get a break with any boat I get....

Should I at least take it to the shop and spend the $85 bucks to see what the service technician has to say or is this a lost cause?

What the heck should I do with this boat now? For how old the boat is the hull is in great shape. I guess the scrap-yard is where she will be heading.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Lots of Water in Oil!

could 3 years of condensation cause that much water?

Nope,..... No how, No way.............

Should I at least take it to the shop and spend the $85 bucks to see what the service technician has to say

Nope,..............

You can just send Me your $85 Bucks, I'll give you the Same News,............

The motor is Freeze Cracked,+ is Junk.............

If the Hull is that Nice,...... It can be saved with a New Motor.........

 

[180shabah]

Re: Lots of Water in Oil!

Either replace the engine, or let it's next owner do it. If the hull is in good shape, it would be a shame to send it off to the scrap yard.

 

[Robj]

Re: Lots of Water in Oil!

I agree with Bond-o, no way condensation can be the cause of that much water in the oil. My boat sat for many years before I bought it and there was no water in the oil. I suggest that you start looking for a new engine. If the boat is in nice shape, it may be worth putting in a new motor, or trying to find a used one.

Have a great day,

Rob.

 

[Scaaty]

Re: Lots of Water in Oil!

If it sat for three years with that sludge in the pan, it is a goner.....​

YEP....LOOOONG gone POJ now