1993 OMC Cobra 5.0 L EFI Water in Oil, on top of Piston...

[holgo123]

I have a 1993 Chris Craft Concept 217 BR with a 5.0 L EFI (Ford) OMC Cobra. We were out yesterday and the temp gauge started rising right after we pulled away from the dock. I was kind of going very slow because my wife was eating something and telling me not to go too fast... I trimmed the motor all the way down to make sure it was in the water flow. I didn't see any smoke and the engine was running fine. It got up over 175 degrees and I turned the boat off and checked for trash blocking the water intake, nothing... I went to restart and just a click like the starter was engaging, but couldn't turn the motor over. I ended up getting towed back to the dock. I just started troubleshooting and pulled a spark plug. It had water on it. I pulled some from both sides. Some were wet. I decided to siphon the oil out. There is a little water in the oil... I am thinking that by goofing around and throttling the boat some while going so slow and allowing water to splash back against the boat, water somehow was ingested... What is the probable diagnosis? What other things should I look in to? I feel sick right now. I have worked on this boat for years and it is my baby... Any thoughts/advice would be appreciated. **

 

[KaGee]

Re: 1993 OMC Cobra 5.0 L EFI Water in Oil, on top of Piston...

Welcome to Iboats!<br /><br />Search "water ingestion" and you'll find a PDF file Tech bulletin to help you track down the problem. Post back with any questions.<br /><br />Good luck!

 

[holgo123]

Re: 1993 OMC Cobra 5.0 L EFI Water in Oil, on top of Piston...

Is it o.k. to pull all the spark plugs and spin the engine to clear out any remaining water in the cylinders? Will it damage the water pump or sterndrive water pick up pump?

 

[boatgrunt]

Re: 1993 OMC Cobra 5.0 L EFI Water in Oil, on top of Piston...

no, it will not damage anything and you have to act fast. Disconnet the wire from the distributer cap that goes to the coil, squirt a little oil or WD-40 in the cylinders and turn her over a couple of times. Definitely change the oil. Typically, water in the oil is a result of missing/damaged exhaust flaps, bad exhaust manifolds, cracked block and/or bad head gasket. If your exhaust flaps were damaged/broken, than the boating that you described (i.e., stopping and allowing water to splash into the back of boat) could be the culprit.

 

[holgo123]

Re: 1993 OMC Cobra 5.0 L EFI Water in Oil, on top of Piston...

Is there a way to diagnose a bad flapper?

 

[lilmandavis]

Re: 1993 OMC Cobra 5.0 L EFI Water in Oil, on top of Piston...

pull the risers and tubes to see down the y pipe

 

[hullofalottatrouble]

Re: 1993 OMC Cobra 5.0 L EFI Water in Oil, on top of Piston...

which cylinders were the wet plugs in? Which cyl did water come out of?

 

[holgo123]

Re: 1993 OMC Cobra 5.0 L EFI Water in Oil, on top of Piston...

The back 2 cylinders on both banks threw up the most water... It didn't seem like there was any in the front 2 on both sides... Also, after I spun the engine, It dawned on me that maybe I should have pulled the fuse for the fuel pump... Did it flush the cylinders with fresh fuel? I know the cylinders must still have some moisture in them. How much drying do I need to do before putting the new plugs in it? Also, is there any drawback from pulling the risers off? Will I need new gaskets or anything? Anything to check while they are off? I guess these things do happen, but it sucks seeing water shoot out the spark plug hole... Thanks for all the help so far...

 

[boatgrunt]

Re: 1993 OMC Cobra 5.0 L EFI Water in Oil, on top of Piston...

Wow - I'm no technician, but it definitely sounds like you may have had water go up the drive and into the engine. They say the likelyhood of that happening is low, but you have to figure there's a reason for them putting those exhaust flaps in there. Were you in salt water? For the best advice, do what KaGee said...he's a pro. <br /><br />If you pull the risers, you will need new gaskets. Check the metal wall between the exhaust and water passages on the risers to make sure it is still of sufficient thickness. Also check the mating surface for rust. Clean the mating surface well and use a new gasket.<br /><br />Don't worry about the gas - just make sure to squirt a little oil in there, and you should be all set. After you make sure the water is out and have coated the inside with oil, make sure to determine where the water came from. If the

 

[holgo123]

Re: 1993 OMC Cobra 5.0 L EFI Water in Oil, on top of Piston...

This happened in fresh water. Thanks! I'm not panicking yet...

 

[holgo123]

Re: 1993 OMC Cobra 5.0 L EFI Water in Oil, on top of Piston...

I think I am going to try and crank it up tonight... Any last words of advice? If it starts, I am going to run it until it reaches normal operating temperature and take back home and check it out...

 

[hullofalottatrouble]

Re: 1993 OMC Cobra 5.0 L EFI Water in Oil, on top of Piston...

if you do get it running.. get it up to temp.. check to compression.. check to oil... pull the plugs and check for water in the cyl again..

 

[holgo123]

Re: 1993 OMC Cobra 5.0 L EFI Water in Oil, on top of Piston...

Is there a special tool to get the plugs in and out? It is so tight, it takes me forever to get them in and out... Is a little moisture left in the cylinders o.k.? I have oiled and turned it over many times, but it seems like there is a little mist left...

 

[holgo123]

Re: 1993 OMC Cobra 5.0 L EFI Water in Oil, on top of Piston...

Good and bad news... The engine starts and seems to run fine. It took a few cranks to get it running, but it sounds good and is running around 40 PSI oil pressure at idle, I warmed it up and turned it off. I am going to pull the plugs and check the oil again today. <br />Unfortunately, I found a source of water. There was a steady stream coming in from around the bottom of the transom plates. I am going to pull the foot and check the bellows. The bellow is fairly new so I am wondering what I am going to find. I also don't understand how the water got on top of the pistons... I am wondering if the boat took on some water and lowered the waterline and when I stopped, water forced its way up... I am using the Water Intusion Bulletin as a guide. <br />I'll keep posting until it's fixed. Thanks!

 

[jloprete]

Re: 1993 OMC Cobra 5.0 L EFI Water in Oil, on top of Piston...

i have the same exact boat. Its my baby too. I needed a new riser and exhaust when i got sea water into the engine. Runs fine now. I would like to keep in touch to share stories and troubleshooting tips if you'd like. I am not a mechanic but try to keep her running well.

Jeff