Water Squirting from Side of Engine

[Brentathon]

Just noticed a 2mm stream of water squirting from the side of the engine, between engine and exhause manifold.
I plan to get the boat hauled tomorrow, I may try to make it over to the boat ramp, despite this water squirt.
Any predictions on what this is?
Reman 5.7 Merc Alpha 1, raw water cooled.

 

[Don S]

Re: Water Squirting from Side of Engine

Cracked head, cracked block, cracked manifold, corroded core plug, hard to say. Looking would be the best thing, guessing sure won't help, too many possibilities.

 

[Fishermark]

Re: Water Squirting from Side of Engine

Looking would be the best thing, guessing sure won't help, too many possibilities.

But guessing is fun!

Being that it is a reman.... I would bet that steel core plugs were used and they have corroded. BUT... that's just a guess.

 

[Brentathon]

Re: Water Squirting from Side of Engine

Well, I know it's not the manifold, because it's squirting outboard, and hitting the inside surface of the manifold.
There are core plugs on the side of blocks, I thought there were at the fore & aft ends of blocks...?

 

[Fishermark]

Re: Water Squirting from Side of Engine

Yep - on the side. (Don't know if that is your problem, but here's a pic of where they are):

 

[Don S]

Re: Water Squirting from Side of Engine

There are core plugs on the side of blocks, I thought there were at the fore & aft ends of blocks...?

There are, but you said it was leaking from the side of the engine, doubt the front or back plugs would squirt out the side of the engine.
Best thing to do is drain the engine, pull the exhaust manifold off the leaky side, isolate the engines cooling system so you can pressure check the cooling system and pressurize the system and see what is cracked. Soapy water sprayed on the crack will make it show up very easily if it's only a slight leak.

 

[Brentathon]

Re: Water Squirting from Side of Engine

Do you think I can run it a little tomorrow, just to bring it to the boat ramp? Other than squirting water in the bilge, if it's just a small squirt, would it really damage or risk anything. Because I really want to get it hauled tomorrow.
It's only 2 miles, and I could just go slow (5mph) the whole way.

 

[Fishermark]

Re: Water Squirting from Side of Engine

Try it and see. Keep a close eye on things as it can go downhill in a hurry. Maybe bring someone who can watch while you do the captaining. They can even help bail.

 

[coheej]

Re: Water Squirting from Side of Engine

If it's not squirting on anything that will be hurt by water, it should be ok.
If the core plug failed completely or came out then you will have a huge leak.
You might look at your oil just to be sure there is no internal crack that's milking the oil.

 

[Roman S]

Re: Water Squirting from Side of Engine

Take a good look at the drain plugs on the the lower side of the engine!
Roman

 

[Brentathon]

Re: Water Squirting from Side of Engine

I think it's good news.......I think the water is coming from a metal plug (female hex) on the side of the head.

 

[Bt Doctur]

Re: Water Squirting from Side of Engine

that is where a temp sender would be installed for the auto application.plug should have been brass not cast iron. drill and tap with a pipe tap .

 

[Brentathon]

Re: Water Squirting from Side of Engine

Do you think I could simply un-scew it? Or, could I damage the head by putting a bunch of torque on the plug, trying to unscrew it? hmmmm.....
I'd rather not have to drill it out and tap.

 

[coheej]

Re: Water Squirting from Side of Engine

Yes
Try to unscrew it. That's how it's supposed to be removed. Sometimes they don't come out easily.

 

[davebuc]

Re: Water Squirting from Side of Engine

This thread was really helpful to me. I just installed new heads on a 5.7 and at first start-up water was running down the sides of the block by exhaust manifold.

My problem was that there were no plugs at all in those threaded automotive temperature sensor holes. Plugged the holes, water leak gone.

 

[Brentathon]

Re: Water Squirting from Side of Engine

So, I finally got my "brass countersunk plugs"; weren't easy to find...ordered them from Grainger. They are 3/8" MNPT, in case anyone was wondering (1990 5.7 Merc Alpha).
The iron plug that was leaking, had a .020" hole, right down in the female hex feature...the material in that area looked rather thin, and flaked-off on the inside. I changed the other side, too....probably would have leaked in the next year or so.