1999 Volvo Penta 4.3 GL has water in oil

[Bir1999]

My 1999 4.3 GL Volvo Penta has water in the oil, I really don't think I have a cracked intake or cracked block. I winterized it the same way I have been since 2004 and this year when I warmed it up to change the oil, I noticed the oil coming up the tube was not really dark. I quit sucking the oil out with my pressurized can and looked at the dip stick and the oil was real milky. Next I drained all the milky oil out of the engine and removed the oil filter that was full of milky oil to. My neighbor told me I could have a bad O-ring in the circulation or the sea-water pump. I don't think the circulation water pump has any O-rings, just 2 gaskets. What do I need to check first. Any help or information will be much appreciated.
Thanks,
Bir1999

 

[alldodge]

Sorry, I think you have a crack.

There was times this winter that was colder then normal. Nothing connects the water to the oil. The circulating water pump has no connection to oil. Only water to get water and oil together and it not be the motor of intake is if you have closed cooling.

Suck all the water out and connect the garden hose to the thermostat housing. Plug the hoses going to the exhaust manifolds and turn the water on. After a while see if any water is in the oil pan

 

[tpenfield]

Don't you know, it is cracked engine block season

As AD said, probably a cracked block or maybe just an exhaust manifold gasket (or 2) has gone bad and you are 'pulling' water into the cylinders while idling.

 

[Bir1999]

I did remove all spark plugs and did not see any milky oil residue on any spark plug. Also I removed the big hose that goes to the thermostat housing and there was a lot of rust on the walls inside the water neck. I am not sure if the thermostat has every been changed unless it was done when I sent to the shop for service.

 

[bruceb58]

Do you pull the drain on the intake manifold? That's what usually cracks on the 4.3 with Vortec. If it's only that, you got lucky.

Please let us know what your winterizing procedure is.

 

[Bir1999]

Finally got around to removing the intake this morning and everyone was right, the intake was cracked. Also now I know where the drain plug in the front of the intake is and no I have never removed that drain plug. In the past I have drained all the water out of the block and exhaust manifolds via the brass plugs, then I remove all waters hoses from the bottom of the water pumps and sometime use my shop vac to make sure I remove all the water from these hoses. But I was in a hurry this past winter and didn't' get all the water out. This winter I will do a better job and research the best way to winterize my 4.3 Volvo Penta
Next question is what degree thermostat do I use in this 4.3 Volvo Penta? Is it 150 degree?
Thanks so much for all the help and advice,
Raymond

 

[Lou C]

If all you have to do is replace the intake then you got lucky! I'm not sure what they changed but the prevortec 4.3 does not have that plug and I never had trouble with water freezing in there after drsining the engine. Always poke all the drain holes to make sure every hole really drains because rust flakes can clog them. I also fill the engine & manifolds with either -100 marine antifreeze or Sierra non tox antifreeze that I mix up, this helps reduce corrosion.....

you may have to do 3 or 4 oil changes to get all the moisture out.

 

[Lou C]

Thetmostat is usually 160*.

 

[Bir1999]

Should I just use 30w oil and a cheap oil filter to flush it out. I normally use Amsoil 10w-40 full synthetic oil and Ea023 oil filter in this boat but I won't put it in until I have all the moisture flushed out.

 

[alldodge]

Should I just use 30w oil and a cheap oil filter to flush it out. I normally use Amsoil 10w-40 full synthetic oil and Ea023 oil filter in this boat but I won't put it in until I have all the moisture flushed out.

Sure, use the cheapest stuff you can find, it will be ok for flushing

 

[Bir1999]

Seems like the thermostat is rusted to or stuck to the Thermostat housing, does anyone know the best way to remove it from the t-stat housing? I may try a large ease-out.
Any help is appreciated,
Thanks in advance,
Raymond

 

[Lou C]

There is a rubber ring that holds it up in there, spray it good with Kano Kroil to dissolve the rust and let it sit a bit, then dig out the rubber ring with a pick or really thin screwdriver.

 

[bruceb58]

I'm not sure what they changed but the prevortec 4.3 does not have that plug and I never had trouble with water freezing in there after drsining the engine..

If you ever see the two intake manifolds side by side you will see why there is a drain plug now.

 

[Bir1999]

First Thanks for the information about the O-ring, once I removed it the T-stat came right out. This is a Great Forum for people like me...

Next questions, I should have took a picture of the bottom water hoses but didn't.
Which hose connects to the bottom of the sea water pump. Is it the one that bring water in or the one that goes to the Thermostat Housing?
Intake arrived today and probably will install it in the next day or two.
Thanks in advance,
Raymond

 

[alldodge]

In most cases the standard is water comes in on the bottom and out on the top. That said look at your pump and how it is located (it could be rotated 180 degrees).

Normal motor is Left hand rotation

 

[Bir1999]

Thanks