Pasty oil coming out the valve covers

[TCRANDOFF]

 

[TCRANDOFF]

View attachment 361106View attachment 361106

The oil is coming out of the valve covers and is a thick paste … any suggestions?

 

[tpenfield]

Welcome to iBoats.

Don't eat the paste.

Sure has the signs of water in the oil, which may indicate a cracked engine block or the exhaust manifolds.

What more can you tell us about this engine and its maintenance/winterization.

 

[Scott Danforth]

that is what happens when about a quart of water is in the oil and you run it.

how was the boat winterized?

 

[Bondo]

Ayuh,...... Welcome Aboard,..... Classic frozen busted block symptoms,......

 

[Lou C]

Yep sms that’s not just a little water but a LOT.

 

[Scott06]

Would bet the block is cracked under the heads in the lifter valley
looks like it wasn’t properly winterized. Are the outside of the exhaust manifolds cracked as well?

 

[TCRANDOFF]

I bought it new in 2011… Always drained the water out for winter by removing the 5 plugs on the motor… I checked the oil and ran it in the driveway last Sunday with ear muffs and it started right up but, I didn’t check the oil again

Welcome to iBoats.

Don't eat the paste.

Sure has the signs of water in the oil, which may indicate a cracked engine block or the exhaust manifolds.

What more can you tell us about this engine and its maintenance/winterization.

after I let it warm up…on Sunday I took it to the lake and notice it was running rough popped the hood and saw the oil mess

 

[TCRANDOFF]

Would bet the block is cracked under the heads in the lifter valley
looks like it wasn’t properly winterized. Are the outside of the exhaust manifolds cracked as well?

Haven’t tore into it yet .. wanted to start here and ask the professionals

 

[TCRANDOFF]

that is what happens when about a quart of water is in the oil and you run it.

how was the boat winterized?

I always remove the 5 plugs to drain the water… it sits in my driveway.. never been inside.. Did I miss a step winterizing ?

 

[Lou C]

When you removed the plugs, did you probe the block and manifold drains? They can get clogged up with rust flakes and not drain. That block holds approx 2-3 gallons of water all by itself, each manifold can hold about a half gallon depending on the style of exhaust.
On my old 4.3 they used a 90* drain fitting to clear the old big Delco direct drive starter (not needed with the newer style small PMGR starters) and these can clog and need to be dug out with a pick to drain. You can see it in this pic, I have not removed it because it drains and sometimes it's better to let sleeping dogs lie.....

 

[Scott06]

I always remove the 5 plugs to drain the water… it sits in my driveway.. never been inside.. Did I miss a step winterizing ?

Draining is the best way -If they were clear of debris then that should drain it completely.

Possible it is only the water crossover in the intake. I can't recall if there is a plug on the water cross over of vortec 4.3s that needs to get pulled as well?
You could pull the thermostat out and see if the cross over is cracked.

 

[TCRANDOFF]

Draining is the best way -If they were clear of debris then that should drain it completely.

Possible it is only the water crossover in the intake. I can't recall if there is a plug on the water cross over of vortec 4.3s that needs to get pulled as well?
You could pull the thermostat out and see if the cross over is cracked.

Ok, I’ll try the thermostat first … thanks

 

[Lou C]

on the newer vortecs that is true, I'm not sure what changed in that water passage to make that plug a necessity.

 

[Lou C]

On the pre Vortec the intake drained when you drained the block & disconnected the big hose on the front circulating pump.

 

[nola mike]

on the newer vortecs that is true, I'm not sure what changed in that water passage to make that plug a necessity.

Nothing

On the pre Vortec the intake drained when you drained the block & disconnected the big hose on the front circulating pump.

Still does. You gotta find me that service bulletin or else it doesn't exist

 

[Lou C]

I wish I could I looked & looked. Buttt…..if you look at the underside of the pre Vortec & Vortec manifolds (cast iron versions not alu) there IS a difference. The water passage seems to extend under the carb mount area on the Vortec whereas it is only right under the thermostat on the pre Vortec maybe this was done to make up for the lack of the exhaust crossover used on the pre Vortec…. And water gets trapped if stored at certain angles? Who knows!

 

[Lou C]

Found it!
It’s in this forum…posted by DonS…in 2014….

 

[nola mike]

Ok, I'll grudgingly admit that it exists for a Volvo, although the bulletin didn't come out until 8 years after the vortec. And Merc as far as I know never put one out. Even with removing the drain, the important part is probably lowering the bow of the boat. And even if you don't do that, the water should still drain backwards into the block. I do know that the times that I've removed that plug after removing the thermostat hose, the cavity was completely empty. Also, there is a ton of room in that cavity for water to expand even if it does freeze. I'm curious if the pros remove the plug...

 

[Lou C]

Ok, I'll grudgingly admit that it exists for a Volvo, although the bulletin didn't come out until 8 years after the vortec. And Merc as far as I know never put one out. Even with removing the drain, the important part is probably lowering the bow of the boat. And even if you don't do that, the water should still drain backwards into the block. I do know that the times that I've removed that plug after removing the thermostat hose, the cavity was completely empty. Also, there is a ton of room in that cavity for water to expand even if it does freeze. I'm curious if the pros remove the plug...

The OMC Cobra service bulletin came out way before the VP one did, a few years at most after the Vortecs came out. Can't find it, website where it was no longer has it listed. So who knows, it may be a rare occurrence depending on the angle of the engine, etc.