496 water ingestion

[nasdaqsam]

Pontoon boat with a 496 HO Mag. This boat tends to get a lot of water in the bilge the hull design is a bit flawed but that's a whole other issue. The bilge failed on a recent outing and I ended up with the engine bay flooded.

I didn't realize it until the boat started getting sluggish I was about a mile from my hoist so just ran it slow back. This has happened once before the water gets high enough the water gets sprayed up around the intake it is basically breathing an air/water mix. The last time there was no damage and no water in the oil. But this time I am seeing a fairly descent amount of water in the oil. There are droplets quite a ways up in the dip stick then clear oil then it looks a bit foamy for the last inch of dip stick. I'll get the oil and filter changed before running it again.

What kind of damage could this have caused? Am I looking at the possibility of spun bearings? Other water damage?

Any input is greatly appreciated. If I do not answer right away it's because I am having trouble logging into this forum lately.

Thank you in advance.

 

[alldodge]

Water in oil is bad, and worst part is water is heavier then oil, so water gets sucked up and goes thru the bearings. Changing oil is the only thing that can be done and then compair pressure readings before with current. Can also cut open filter to see if metal is found

 

[nasdaqsam]

Water in oil is bad, and worst part is water is heavier then oil, so water gets sucked up and goes thru the bearings. Changing oil is the only thing that can be done and then compair pressure readings before with current. Can also cut open filter to see if metal is found

That was what I was afraid of I would assume this would effect the cam bearings before the rods bearings?

As soon as I get the filter off I will check it along with seeing if there are any metal filings in the oil. The oil was just changed so is clear and I do not see anything on the stick but that's hardly a good indicator.

Thanks

 

[Bondo]

But this time I am seeing a fairly descent amount of water in the oil. There are droplets quite a ways up in the dip stick then clear oil then it looks a bit foamy for the last inch of dip stick.

Ayuh,.... How high did the oil level get on the dipstick,......

If the level is nearly right, you got little water,....
If the level is 1/2 way up the dipstick, ya got alota water,.....

 

[nasdaqsam]

Ayuh,.... How high did the oil level get on the dipstick,......

If the level is nearly right, you got little water,....
If the level is 1/2 way up the dipstick, ya got alota water,.....

The oil level is pretty close to where it should be and is crystal clear except for the last inch is foamy. I am seeing water droplets on the stick from the oil level up about 6" above the oil.

 

[Bondo]

The oil level is pretty close to where it should be and is crystal clear except for the last inch is foamy.

Ayuh,..... Then just run it up to temp, 'n the water will steam off,......

 

[nasdaqsam]

Ayuh,..... Then just run it up to temp, 'n the water will steam off,......

I think for safety sake I will change it out to have a look at it and cut the filter in half. Thanks

 

[nasdaqsam]

Ok so new development and a question. I am trying to use an old vacuum oil pump to drain the oil but the pump must be bad it's really old but while doing this I am now noticing the oil is completely milky it is no longer separated like it was earlier. The engine has NOT been started since then it is just sitting. Is this common? I could understand if the engine had been run but it hasn't. I think the engine is toast.

The other part of this is I have had a squeak in the front of the motor I have not been able to figure out this year so while I had things apart I took the belt off. All the pulleys spin free except the sea water pump feels like it is grinding so I assume is bad???? I would think it would spin free.....?

EDIT: The oil level is normal its just really milky white not tan it looks like milk.

New name for the boat. TBFH The Boat From Hel...…..

 

[alldodge]

If the mix was left alone long enough it would separate, but right now just need to get it out somehow

The sea pump should never spin freely unless the impeller has been shredded. Now a grind, that could mean bearings are shot. Take the impeller out and see what it feels like to turn

 

[nasdaqsam]

If the mix was left alone long enough it would separate, but right now just need to get it out somehow

The sea pump should never spin freely unless the impeller has been shredded. Now a grind, that could mean bearings are shot. Take the impeller out and see what it feels like to turn

Not sure grind describes it best. When I spin it, it feels like it is a rough not smooth turn. Kind of hard to explain.

To take the impeller out do I have to remove the whole unit? There is not a lot of room in this engine compartment.

 

[nasdaqsam]

I removed the oil I took approx. 8 quarts out with a hand pump, changed the oil filter and put in 8 quarts of new oil. Then started and let it idle for a bit. Checked the oil it is still about the same milky color. It's not white and once I got the other oil out it was not as white as I thought either it is more a milky grey.

The oil was just a touch under full. I started and let it run again just idling up to about 130 degrees shut it off and checked it again. The oil is still milky but did not rise any.

I am going to change it again tomorrow.

On the squealing I took the belt off and it goes away. It doesn't do it immediately when the belt is on it runs for a minute or so then starts to squeal.

I don't know if there is any damage yet but it does run and carries 40lb of oil pressure at idle.

Thoughts? Any thing else I should be doing?

 

[alldodge]

To take the impeller out do I have to remove the whole unit? There is not a lot of room in this engine compartment.

No but its easier if you do. Just wait on it until you know what if any other issues there may be

A squeal is usually the belt but could be a bearing.

 

[NHGuy]

Go buy cheap 10W30 or 5W30 oil and filter. 2 or 3 changes worth. if the cooling system functions, run the engine til it's warm. Then, check the oil condition, if it's not too watery, run the engine to really burn off the water. But if it's real milky you might want to change it again before loading the motor. And change the filter each time.

 

[nasdaqsam]

Go buy cheap 10W30 or 5W30 oil and filter. 2 or 3 changes worth. if the cooling system functions, run the engine til it's warm. Then, check the oil condition, if it's not too watery, run the engine to really burn off the water. But if it's real milky you might want to change it again before loading the motor. And change the filter each time.

That sounds like a good idea and a lot cheaper. I'm thinking this is going to take at least two more changes.

On the squealing issue. It is a fairly new belt is there anything I can do to it to get that to stop? When the engine first starts it does not do it. It grows then after a bit is not as bad.

 

[alldodge]

If its not because one of the units are going bad, then clean the pulleys up and repaint them. The paint will help the belt hold

 

[nasdaqsam]

The beast lives to run another day. I ended up changing the oil/filter 4 times in total.
To do a job like this you really need a vacuum pump (my mechanic loaned me his) which was 1000 times better than a hand pump. The changes went like this.....Each change also included a new filter. The last was with the high performance filter I usually use.

The 1st change was with Quicksilver oil. This did almost nothing. The oil was still milky. I did not run it too long on this change because the oil still looked horrible.

The 2nd change I went and got the cheapest oil I could find $12.76 for 5 quarts at Wal-Mart. On this change I left out a quart of oil and added a quart of diesel fuel. This made the biggest difference. The oil that came out was noticeably closer to what oil should look like. I idled it for a long time on this change. I have to say this is the best I have ever heard it run.

The 3rd was again with the cheap oil. I did this change mainly to be sure I got all the diesel out. I let it run for a long time on this change also. The oil came out perfect.

The 4th was back to the Quicksilver oil. Oddly, running it for a few minutes the oil was a slightly milky again. I assume the heavier oil was pulling the oil/water residue off the internals. I ran it for a real long time and it all went away. I let it cool and checked it again the oil was perfect.

Took it for a ride it runs spot on. Good oil pressure, no smoke and no lose in performance in any way. I think I got lucky this time.

Thanks to all that offered advise and assistance. Hopefully my experience will help others.

 

[snoeproe]

The question remains. How is all the water getting into the bilge area?