1996 Merc 4.3, water in oil and in cylinders

[chrisgoto]

I'm getting water in the oil, even after a few oil changes, and water is getting into all cylinders. I had to change the plugs to get it started for winterizing, the plugs were fouled bigtime. The manifolds are 2 seasons old and appear to be in good shape . I'm thinking the head gasket or intake manifold gasket. Or is it new engine time??? I have no problem replaceing the gaskets and getting new manifolds and riser.... The boat is used in salt water for half the year and stored on land for the rest.

 

[Haut Medoc]

Re: 1996 Merc 4.3, water in oil and in cylinders

Welcome to iboats.....
When did you first notice water in the oil?
Did you have any serious freezes before you attempted winterization?
Is it possible that you had freeze damage?
the plugs were fouled bigtime.
Fouled with what?
Did you change the mans & risers two years ago?
The best thing you can do is get the engine up & running asap if you want to attempt to save it......
even after a few oil changes
So it keeps coming back?
How fast?

 

[chrisgoto]

Re: 1996 Merc 4.3, water in oil and in cylinders

I first noticed the water back in October after my port engine quit on me in the bay. I was doin around 25 knots at the time. Suddenly I hear a pop sound and it just died on me. I stopped the boat open up the hatch and there was a strange smell almost like burned rubber. I tried to crank it over a couple more times, decided to let it sit and went back on one engine. I let the boat sit for a week and tried to start it with no luck. Then I started checking the basics. I checked the oil and found it milky and pulled a plug and found it a burnt redish/white gunk color. All the plugs were in the same shape. I changed the oil and the plugs and crossed my fingers and started it up. Seemed to be working just fine, checking the oil cap frequently. Then after an hour it started to froth up. I shut it down, talked with other on the dock and we all decided to changed the oil again because we thought that it must be resigual oil let in the crank case.

I was busy the next couple of weeks and by the time I got around to it again it was time to winterize anyway.

With the boat out of the water I changed the oil and plugs again and and barely got it started. Steam was coming out of the engines exhust and was running like it had water in the cyninders. Was able to get the anti-freeze through with the muffs and fogged it good then shut it down quick. The last thing I did was change the oil again. The milkyness of the oil is much worse and foamed up really quick and I don't want to or even think I can start it again without fixing it.

To answer your questions,

This is not a freezing problem. I sure I have it stable for the winter and I fogged the heck out of it.

And yes, I did change the mans and riser 2 years ago and they don't appear to leak any where on the outside.

I'm up for sugestions....

 

[Reel Poor]

Re: 1996 Merc 4.3, water in oil and in cylinders

It sounds like it ran hot and may have blown a head gasket or cracked a head (water in the cylinders). It's time to do a compression check and/or a cylinder leak test to determine the extent of the problem. If it sat in salt water with water in the cylinders it's probably not going to look real good if you have to pull the heads. :'(

 

[Bondo]

Re: 1996 Merc 4.3, water in oil and in cylinders

Ayuh,.......
With Saltwater,+ the time frame involved here,........

I'd think you can just Pull that motor,+ do the Forensics on an Engine Stand........

I Doubt there's much left there to put Back together,....
Regardless of the Original Issue......

I Think that you have Hours to save a motor, rather than Months when dealing with Saltwater........

Hope I'm Wrong..........