Ok guys i water in oil 3.0 help

[rpatton]

I need a little help giguring out where it is coming from. I took the boat out 3weeks ago and no problem then today i t staredup then stalled but got it running and started out for the day. about 1/4 mile from my saltwater slip it started acting funny and the rpms stared to bounce around so when i looked under the dog house i saw a lot of milk and the dipstick was way overfull. When i pulled it out of the water and checked the plugs they seem dry along with the piston tops. ao i figured a manifold so i pulled it and two holes #3-4 are damp. Is there any way to check a manifold for leaks . I plan on checking the compression on tuesday when i get home. Am i on the right tract orr should i be looking somewhere else i mean is there a common failure point on these motors. I forgot to mention that it is a 1985 with a stringer 400 qnd it was missing on the way back to the slip. Thanks and sorry for the long story

 

[rpatton]

Re: Ok guys i water in oil 3.0 help

Ok guys please someone reply

 

[rpatton]

Re: Ok guys i water in oil 3.0 help

Isant thwre anyone that wants to give some advice on a four cylinder. I do have one more question if i can get some pros to respond and that is what are the chances that my water jacket corroded thru on the inside of the motor. Realy any help would be great. Thanks

 

[Levinz11]

Re: Ok guys i water in oil 3.0 help

Either way you're pulling the head off. Once you do....your questions will be answered.

 

[rpatton]

Re: Ok guys i water in oil 3.0 help

Thanks that iis what i figured but do you think i will be able to see a bad head gasket

 

[rpatton]

Re: Ok guys i water in oil 3.0 help

Ok i think i have a bad head gasket. When i replace it does anyone have the torque sequense for the bolts and torque. Thanks

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Ok guys i water in oil 3.0 help

It is listed in the service manual for your specific engine which would also be the same for a Mercruiser. Some of those manuals can be downloaded. You also need to adjust the valves when done so again -- you need the manual unless you know how to adjust valves in a hydraulic lifter engine.

 

[888]

Re: Ok guys i water in oil 3.0 help

A bad riser gasket would cause that too. I would pressure test cooling side before taking anything apart.

 

[hayward6]

Re: Ok guys i water in oil 3.0 help

Do yourself a favor and pull the heads. The cost of gaskets and knowing they are torqued down right goes a long way toward piece of mind. I was getting water in a couple cylinders and in the oil after I didn't winterize it in time and popped a freeze plug. I pulled the heads to find that the passages between valves in the heads were rusted through, and that the block was 75% full of sand and rust. Replacing the heads cost me about $500 in parts and I know now that I did it right, and I flushed all that sand out while I was in there. Now after running it for a few months the oil is still as clean as when I added it, and I'm confident that it will winterize well this year. Doing it right the first time can't be stated enough when it comes to boats.

 

[rpatton]

Re: Ok guys i water in oil 3.0 help

A bad riser gasket would cause that too. I would pressure test cooling side before taking anything apart.

Thanks for all the input, I wish I would have checked the cooling side first though before pulling the head. I checked the head gasket and it appears that I can tell that there are no obvious leaks that I can tell. But when I looked closer at the manifold riser and end cap that might be where my issue lies. I did fill the cooling side of the manifold with diesel fuel to check for leaks in the ports , and there where no wet areas to be seen. Now I have to put the head back on , anybody have a shortcut or advice on adjusting the valves?

 

[888]

Re: Ok guys i water in oil 3.0 help

Shortcuts on a boat will get ya towed back to dock more then your would like. Do it right the first time.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QAlCVA5cCQM