Oil and PS cooler problems

[brad.wolf]

I have a 89 ebbtide with a 454 7.4 Mercruiser, I had problems last winter winterizing the boat due to a failed impeller in the water pump. After dewinterizing this I have noticed that I have a very consistant leak in the oil/ps cooler. Upon investigation I have noticed water in the oil as well. I have seen past posts that say that there has been a few accounts that the oil cooler failed and caused water to leak in with the oil. My question is, can I bypass the oil cooler temporarily to verify whether the block is cracked or rathar just the oil cooler failure? Also is the oil cooler necessary or can I just install a power steering cooler in its place? Any help would be greatly appreciated.

 

[danond]

Re: Oil and PS cooler problems

You're winterizing wrong if the impeller has anything to do with it. I've never heard someone say "I drained the block, drained the drive, pulled *all* the water hoses, let them drain, and I have a cracked block", but I sure hear it from people who do the anti-freeze thing.

Yes, you can bypass the oil cooler. It won't hurt anything for testing purposes.

Once you figure out what's wrong, put the right parts back in there. I wouldn't suggest you substitute the wrong part for convenience's sake.

 

[brad.wolf]

Re: Oil and PS cooler problems

You could say this is a life's lesson learned. Thanks for the input. I am hoping that it is just the oil cooler, however I feel that it is a bit unlikely. I will test and see what kind of results I get. I was told that you do not need an oil cooler, mainly just the power steering cooler, but I was also told this by someone that told me to use the antifreeze trick, and we can both see where that has gotten me. Thanks again

 

[danond]

Re: Oil and PS cooler problems

The mechanical engineers who designed the engine/boat combination thought it needed one. Unless your buddy is an engineer, I'd say stick with what the designers thought necessary!

 

[P 0 P E Y E]

Re: Oil and PS cooler problems

Trust the engineers. Should make some of them turn a wrench on what the design, sorry that should go in a different thread.

You should test the cooler to see if it holds pressure. Take it to your stealer if you can.

Winterizing is some times a challenge....in this case it will be.

Sorry you are having problems. I wish you a speedy recovery.

 

[HT32BSX115]

Re: Oil and PS cooler problems

Upon investigation I have noticed water in the oil as well. I have seen past posts that say that there has been a few accounts that the oil cooler failed and caused water to leak in with the oil.

That myth is a popular one.

If you think about it, You have a water system that is able to produce maybe 7 -20 PSI at full RPM, and an oil system that will produce on the order of 20 PSI at idle and possibly 50 PSI at WOT RPM.

You'll have to tell me how water can pass into the oil when the oil pressure is MANY time higher than the water "pressure" in the respective oil or PS cooler.

If the oil cooler is leaking, It's more likely that you would lose oil out thru the raw water circuit when the engine is running. It's less likely that water could "flow" back into the engine even when it is shut down.

Water in the oil in a marine engine is most frequently due to cracked iron.....and sometimes possibly a corroded intake or exhaust manifold and or gaskets, or riser and/or leaking riser gasket....or even a leaking head gasket .


We can wish it was something else but that doesn't change anything.

Your best way to find the problem is to isolate the block and pressure check it. You do that by disconnecting all the raw water connections to the block and sealing it off so you can apply air to it.


If you think the oil cooler or PS cooler is leaking you need to separately check each one.


The oil cooler is there for a reason. If it's leaking it needs to be replaced.


Cheers,



Rick