3.8 with water in oil

[dizzydave]

sorry i'm new here. i've checked compression and still getting a milky oil. the boat idles perfect. but i did see a external crack in the exhaust manifold. i have also talked to a few friends that said the block has a crack in it. is this a possibility?

 

[bjcsc]

Re: 3.8 with water in oil

Welcome to iboats! Yes a cracked block is a very real possibility, usually caused by freezing. Have you been using the engine up to now, i.e. did this just start?

Check this out:http://www.boatfix.com/merc/Bullet/01/01_13.pdf

 

[dizzydave]

Re: 3.8 with water in oil

no i havn't used it at all i just bought it yesterday. the boat sat for a year before that. is there a possibility that it is a bad intake gasket?

 

[dizzydave]

Re: 3.8 with water in oil

sorry and if the block is gone what is the most inexpensive way to fix it?

 

[Don S]

Re: 3.8 with water in oil

sorry and if the block is gone what is the most inexpensive way to fix it?

Get your money back from the guy you bought it from. He probably knew it was junk. Can we assume you didn't even start or test run it before you bought it?

 

[dizzydave]

Re: 3.8 with water in oil

correct i did not start it, it is a friend of mine so i could proboblley give it back. but do i have any options the boat is really clean with new interior.

 

[KaGee]

Re: 3.8 with water in oil

Follow the procedure in the above service bulletin.

Water in the block only.... pressure check the block listening and observing for air leak.

Water in the cylinders and the block... plug the hoses going to the exhaust manifolds, run the engine for a few minutes and inspect again for water in the cylinders. Cylinders dry... Your manifold/riser is most likely shot. Even so, I would still pressure check the block.

See my pics if you want to see a cracked 3.8 block.

 

[Don S]

Re: 3.8 with water in oil

With needing an engine and manifolds for a 3.8, I would guess you also have an OMC stringer drive PRE 85 boat. You also don't have a clue about the condition of the outdrive, and from the sounds of the other maintenance done to the engine, I wouldn't expect much there either.
You best be would be to rip out all the OMC stuff, get the transom rebuilt and put in either a Merc or Volvo package.
OMC Sterndrive company has been out of buisness for almost 10 years. Many parts are still available, but finding people able to work on the drives may be a problem.
If you are looking for a cheap way out, I don't really see one.

 

[whywhyzed]

Re: 3.8 with water in oil

Assuming we're talking 1980 to 84 3.8, and not the old Buick from 1960's...:
A lot of people miss the drain in front of the starter, starbord side, on those 3.8's.
I bought a 3.8 powered boat that had not been winterized and rehabilitated the engine.I installed a GM factory reman. short block (I have another one here if you are looking), and swapped over the marine cam, reused the heads, and installed brass freeze plugs.
The blocks are fairly common (80-84 Malibu, Camaro, Monte Carlo etc.). I JB welded my manifolds 2 years ago - still holding up. After testing for internal cracks, I mixed fiberglass strands into the JB after properly grinding, gouging and stress relieving the cracks by drilling 1/32 holes at the ends of them.
I have a pair of NOS spare manifolds I'm sitting on in case they decide to give out someday.