2001 DF70/Zukirude Water in oil, Pulling Powerhead Question

[nowwhat!]

So I picked up a Zukirude 70, for cheap and went through the fuel system and got her running nicely, problem is I am getting water in the oil.

I changed the oil, ran it for a week, more water in oil. Cold water running <35 degrees, 5 or 6 runs 10 minutes each produced milky oil. I have not checked the thermostat.

So my question is: do I need to follow the order of operations in the service manual or can I just pull the 12 bolts/nuts holing it on and lift her up? The manual shows removing fuel pump, intake, timing belt, electronics, etc. Seems overkill.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: 2001 DF70/Zukirude Water in oil, Pulling Powerhead Question

Anyone that attempts a shortcut over the service manual recommendations either didn't read the book correctly or is on their own. That said, I would certainly be looking at other things before pulling the power head. It doesn't take much water to make chocolate milk in a motor. Change oil and filter again and perhaps flush the engine with any engine flush available at auto stores. Then try again. If the problem returns in the same severity, then investigate further. Does the engine run ok otherwise? If it is not silky smooth then compression and leakdown tests are needed. Have you pulled the plugs after a run to see how they look. Pure white after a reasonably long run at moderate to high speeds should produce a nice light tan color. Pure white says water intrusion. Look into each plug hole with the piston at TDC. If one or more look much cleaner than the other, that says water intrusion. Do you know if this engine was ever overheated. If so, chances are there is a good possibility of a cracked head. Having a computer diagnostic done can shed some light on the operating parameters.

 

[nowwhat!]

Re: 2001 DF70/Zukirude Water in oil, Pulling Powerhead Question

Thanks for the input Silvertip. Well I'm just not sure if the manual is aiming towards a remove and replace(with new) scenario or if it is in fact necessary to perform all the steps listed just to pull the head. Compression is 190 across the board, motor runs extremely smooth/well with the exception of it stalling often but I think I cut a few corners with the fuel system clean. I didn't notice any funny looking plugs when I changed them, and I have not performed a leakdown test.

 

[nowwhat!]

Re: 2001 DF70/Zukirude Water in oil, Pulling Powerhead Question

Just a little bump. Feedback is greatly appreciated, anyone with pointers for pulling the powerhead. As well what is the most common cause of water/oil for this motor? I wanna get to the root asap.

 

[1nebel0]

Re: 2001 DF70/Zukirude Water in oil, Pulling Powerhead Question

These motors have a problem of running too cold and making water... I have a 115 Mercury which is a Yamaha that I bought for $500 due to water intrusion...Know problem of therms not working correctly and motor running too cold....google it and you will see many posts about it...don't waste time pulling the power head...if it runs well it is the cold running issue.. i have flushed my motor 5 times and cannot get it hot enough on the hose to get the water to evaporate.. I am going to have to mount it to a boat and run it hard and reflush the motor a few more times to get the moisture out...just my 02

 

[nowwhat!]

Re: 2001 DF70/Zukirude Water in oil, Pulling Powerhead Question

These motors have a problem of running too cold and making water... I have a 115 Mercury which is a Yamaha that I bought for $500 due to water intrusion...Know problem of therms not working correctly and motor running too cold....google it and you will see many posts about it...don't waste time pulling the power head...if it runs well it is the cold running issue.. i have flushed my motor 5 times and cannot get it hot enough on the hose to get the water to evaporate.. I am going to have to mount it to a boat and run it hard and reflush the motor a few more times to get the moisture out...just my 02[/QUO

Changed the thermostat, it was definately not working properly, tested it in a mug or hot water. very late to open and would not close completely, $52. Changed oil, gonna run her a few days and try again. Looked like a chocolate milkshake when I drained it after maybe 8 hours of run time. I'm not optimistic.

 

[nowwhat!]

Re: 2001 DF70/Zukirude Water in oil, Pulling Powerhead Question

These motors have a problem of running too cold and making water... I have a 115 Mercury which is a Yamaha that I bought for $500 due to water intrusion...Know problem of therms not working correctly and motor running too cold....google it and you will see many posts about it...don't waste time pulling the power head...if it runs well it is the cold running issue.. i have flushed my motor 5 times and cannot get it hot enough on the hose to get the water to evaporate.. I am going to have to mount it to a boat and run it hard and reflush the motor a few more times to get the moisture out...just my 02[/QUO

Changed the thermostat, it was definately not working properly, tested it in a mug or hot water. very late to open and would not close completely, $52. Changed oil, gonna run her a few days and try again. Looked like a chocolate milkshake when I drained it after maybe 8 hours of run time. I'm not optimistic.

Well here's a follow up, I've run the motor for several days now since I changed the thermostat/oil and I am thrilled to report that I have not had any sign of water in the oil since I changed it. I am extremely surprised.

 

[jspriddy]

Re: 2001 DF70/Zukirude Water in oil, Pulling Powerhead Question

OK. I'll ask. Is this a Suzuki made by Evinrude, or more likely, an Evinrude made by Suzuki? And, Nowwhat, what do you think made the difference? I really can't see a thermostat and oil change doing this.

John

 

[nowwhat!]

Re: 2001 DF70/Zukirude Water in oil, Pulling Powerhead Question

OK. I'll ask. Is this a Suzuki made by Evinrude, or more likely, an Evinrude made by Suzuki? And, Nowwhat, what do you think made the difference? I really can't see a thermostat and oil change doing this.

John

It is a 2001 Evinrude 70HP Four Stroke, made in japan by suzuki. Identical to the Suzuki DF70. I would have bet money that the t-stat wouldn't have made a difference but it did. Not sure why.

 

[jspriddy]

Re: 2001 DF70/Zukirude Water in oil, Pulling Powerhead Question

It is a 2001 Evinrude 70HP Four Stroke, made in japan by suzuki. Identical to the Suzuki DF70. I would have bet money that the t-stat wouldn't have made a difference but it did. Not sure why.

The only thing I can imagine is that something is not sealing, i.e., a gasket, seal, etc., until the engine gets up to operating temperature. I know from experience that some cracked automotive exhaust manifolds are much louder when the engine is cold. But, you never know what is engineered into anything. Some older Toyota's would not shift into overdrive until it reached normal temp.

John

 

[Ldavidgrover]

Re: 2001 DF70/Zukirude Water in oil, Pulling Powerhead Question

You have a corroded out head...Trust me. I pulled my powerhead and removed the head and found major corrosion that I had to have spot welded and decked. Re installed new head gasket and such and haven't had a problem in years

 

[nowwhat!]

Re: 2001 DF70/Zukirude Water in oil, Pulling Powerhead Question

You have a corroded out head...Trust me. I pulled my powerhead and removed the head and found major corrosion that I had to have spot welded and decked. Re installed new head gasket and such and haven't had a problem in years

Well that is surely possible but since the thermostat fix I haven't had any water in the oil. I have probably put 50 hrs run time without any sign of water. I don't plan on pursuing it any further and consider it to be solved. Thanks for the feedback tough!