Water in cylinders

[imported_Mugsy]

I have a 1980 Mercruiser 260 raw water cooled with an 888 I/O. I on occasion will get water in the left bank of cylinders(2,4,6,8). the oil remains clean and I've replaced the exhaust manifolds. Is this a problem with the cylinder head? Or is there an exhaust flapper missing?

 

[Bondo]

Re: Water in cylinders

If you're getting Water in all 4 cylinders,..... I'd be looking to the Exhaust,....
A Missing Flapper could very well be the Issue........

What are the circumstances surrounding When it happens,..??.....

 

[imported_Mugsy]

Re: Water in cylinders

If you're getting Water in all 4 cylinders,..... I'd be looking to the Exhaust,....
A Missing Flapper could very well be the Issue........

What are the circumstances surrounding When it happens,..??.....

 

[imported_Mugsy]

Re: Water in cylinders

Circumstances are typically when I come down off a plane and then shut the motor off to go get the trailer and when I try to re start the engine its locked up. I'll then remove the 4 plugs on that side of the engine she'll start right up and I'm on my way.

 

[Reel Poor]

Re: Water in cylinders

I'l second the flapper problem.

 

[Haut Medoc]

Re: Water in cylinders

An 888 & a chevy 260 doesn't sound right as a combo, unless the drive has been replaced......
Are these center mounted risers?
It does sound like a missing shutter.....
Shutting down immediatly after coming off plane is not a good practice either......
You will damage your engine if you keep filling the cylinders with water......
Pull the 'elbow' & look for the shutter, it should be right there.......
If it is truly an 888, the shutter is way down in the 'Y" pipe, & very difficult to get to........JK

 

[Bondo]

Re: Water in cylinders

Ayuh,.....
I think the 888 was used with the Ford motors,.....
The 898 was used with a 305 Chevy,......
And the 350cid was a 260hp,+ the drive was labeled 260.....

Either Way,... It's a Mod.1 Drive,+ you Probably have the Log style Manifolds.........

It Still sounds like the Flappers are Shot.....

 

[imported_Mugsy]

Re: Water in cylinders

An 888 & a chevy 260 doesn't sound right as a combo, unless the drive has been replaced......
Are these center mounted risers?
It does sound like a missing shutter.....
Shutting down immediatly after coming off plane is not a good practice either......
You will damage your engine if you keep filling the cylinders with water......
Pull the 'elbow' & look for the shutter, it should be right there.......
If it is truly an 888, the shutter is way down in the 'Y" pipe, & very difficult to get to........JK

 

[imported_Mugsy]

Re: Water in cylinders

[whisper uid=44666]

Enter private whisper here

[/whisper]Its definately a gm 260 and a mercruiser 888. I've taken the risers off and there are no flappers visible at the boot that connects to the riser. What are the problems with a mix match engine and drive?

 

[imported_Mugsy]

Re: Water in cylinders

Ayuh,.....
I think the 888 was used with the Ford motors,.....
The 898 was used with a 305 Chevy,......
And the 350cid was a 260hp,+ the drive was labeled 260.....

Either Way,... It's a Mod.1 Drive,+ you Probably have the Log style Manifolds.........

It Still sounds like the Flappers are Shot.....

The manifolds are log style with the risers in the rear. Are there one or two exhaust flappers? And would it easier to access them by removing the I/O?

 

[imported_Mugsy]

Re: Water in cylinders

I sure wish I could navigate this web site better I appoligize for my lack of etiquette and thank you for you valuable input!

 

[Don S]

Re: Water in cylinders

Does your engine diesel when you shut it off? When they diesel, they run backwards and water gets sucked into the engine. If the exhaust shutters are bad on only the one side, it will allow water to be pulled into the engine.
Also, if you are sure you have a Chevy, then it's an 898, as the 888 was a 302 Ford.

On to how this stupid forum software works. All you need to do is scroll to the bottom of the thread and use the "Instant Reply" section to type in your comments. If you want to Quote a complete comment, you can hit the

button.
You can also click the arrow on the dropdown menu titled Interact (just under the rply-quote button) and click on edit if you want to edit something AFTER you have posted it.

 

[imported_Mugsy]

Re: Water in cylinders

The engine has never dieseled. The drive unit has 888 decals on it and the gimbal housing is a different color than the I/O unit so I'm sure I have a frankenstein of a unit but it has performed flawlessly for 690 nautical miles. My only problem has been the water issue. It sounds like I have $2 part in a million location.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Water in cylinders

There's little or no difference between the 888,+ the 898,....As far as the Outdrive part anyways.....

It sounds like I have $2 part in a million location.

Ayuh,......
Gotta Agree,......
You need a $2.00 Part,....... But the motor has to be Pulled to Install it........

 

[imported_Mugsy]

Re: Water in cylinders

Pulling the motor is better than wrestling with spark plugs in 5 ft seas! Thanks for you advice and time and Happy Holidays!

 

[Haut Medoc]

Re: Water in cylinders

Yep! If you have the 'log' style manifolds the with elbows rear mounted, then it is not an easy fix.....
The shutters are way down at the bottom of the 'Y' pipe.......
To get at it, you will need to remove (or at least move) the engine to allow the Y pipe to be removed from the transom....
Complete removal won't be absoloutely necessary, but the engine will need to come foreward for acess.....
I have an 888, which is a Ford.....
The drive itself is really of no importance with your problem....
If you have a Chevy your package is an 898, but the exhaust is very similar, if not exactlly the same....
I have a shutter missing as well, but never have intrusion problems....
As I mentioned before, never shut the engine off immediately after coming off plane....
The resultant 'surge' from the following wave will make water surge up the exhaust unimpeded.....
Wait 'til that wave passes, before shutting down....
Same thing putting the boat ot the trailer....
If you are running it up onto the trailer & shutting it down right away, you can get the same effect especially when the a$$ end is sitting low in the water......
The size & weight of your boat will determine it's static water level.....
That is where the water level sits in the Y when the boat is at rest......
If the water can get up & over the elbows, it will go right into the cylinders through the exhaust valves......
Some boats need riser extensions to prevent this......
My advice is: Change your habits first, & if the condition persists, either think about riser extensions, or pull the engine & install a new shutter......JK

 

[FreeBeeTony]

Re: Water in cylinders

Is there only 1 flapper on these older set-ups?

Or 1 on each side like the newer ones?

Just a thought as to why he would only be getting water on 1 side...........

 

[imported_Mugsy]

Re: Water in cylinders

Excellent evaluation, my hull is a Wellcraft Nova 250 which is a deep V almost cigarette style hull and the stern sits low in the water. So I think based on these discussions I have a bad exhaust flapper on one side. Is there a maximum or minimum height required when purchasing these riser extentions? Also will the extensions in any way impead the cooling process?

 

[imported_Mugsy]

Re: Water in cylinders

Can I adapt center riser manifolds to this engine? Will that help in any way if it is possible?

 

[Haut Medoc]

Re: Water in cylinders

Is there a maximum or minimum height required when purchasing these riser extentions? Also will the extensions in any way impead the cooling process?

1) No, only the height of your engine box will restrict that....
3" or 4" is a common height though....
2) No....
Can I adapt center riser manifolds to this engine? Will that help in any way if it is possible?
3)Center mans. & risers are an option, there are lots of after market parts available.....
Center risers would probably help a bit.....
I will say that fixing the shutter is by far the cheapest option, a little labor intensive, but do-able if you have some mechanical aptitude & tools & would be the preferred fix.....
The riser extensions would be an easy, relatively cheap fix, 'cuz it is just a matter of getting the right part(s) & bolting them on......
I would wait until you need to replace the mans. again before going to a center rise set-up....
Hope this helps ........JK