3.0LX with blowby, water in oil and lots of fun times ahead. Not.

[mark1905]

1997 3.0LX that has lived it's life in FL.. so no hard freezing here. Runs like a bat out of hell and purrs like a kitten. Always maintained.

However.. beginning a few months ago, I started getting a good amount of blowby out of the valve cover vent. At first it was just a little extra oil running down the head, but that turned into chocolate mousse all over the flame arrestor after each session. Now.. as I go out to inspect things after using her all day, I find that my freshly changed oil seems to have a little water in it. Great. Picture below of a dipstick sample.




What's the prognosis? Blown head gasket or am I due for a full re-power?

 

[Bondo]

Re: 3.0LX with blowby, water in oil and lots of fun times ahead. Not.

Ayuh,... Is the oil Level rising on the dipstick,..??

 

[dubs283]

Re: 3.0LX with blowby, water in oil and lots of fun times ahead. Not.

running in salt for 15 years??

probably corroded head, intake/exhaust manifold, block, etc...

time to take it apart and inspect

 

[mark1905]

Re: 3.0LX with blowby, water in oil and lots of fun times ahead. Not.

Fresh water only.. salt only a handful of times and always flushed.

Can't say that I see the oil level rising.. it's pretty much the same since I just changed the oil about a month ago.

 

[mark1905]

Re: 3.0LX with blowby, water in oil and lots of fun times ahead. Not.

Just talked to someone that said that they suspect the intake/exhaust manifold..

 

[Don S]

Re: 3.0LX with blowby, water in oil and lots of fun times ahead. Not.

Could be the exhaust. Remove the elbow and check the gasket surfaces. If they look good, put a new OEM gasket on and put it back together. But that has nothing to do with blow by. Sounds to me like you are due for a compression and leak down test.

 

[mark1905]

Re: 3.0LX with blowby, water in oil and lots of fun times ahead. Not.

But that has nothing to do with blow by.

Really..? I was told that if the exhaust ports were corroded and leaking that I could be shoving steam back into oil system somehow and getting the frothy chocolate mousse blowby..

 

[Bondo]

Re: 3.0LX with blowby, water in oil and lots of fun times ahead. Not.

Really..? I was told that if the exhaust ports were corroded and leaking that I could be shoving steam back into oil system somehow and getting the frothy chocolate mousse blowby..

Ayuh,... It ain't so much the Ports,... But the Tests will tell ya What's up, 'n Where...

 

[Don S]

Re: 3.0LX with blowby, water in oil and lots of fun times ahead. Not.

I could be shoving steam back into oil system somehow

I've been told a lot of things that meant nothing. The word "Somehow" above must mean someone was assuming something like that could happen, but he doesn't have a clue how.

Me neither.

If the water ports are plugged up in the exhaust, the engine will overheat. The exhaust hoses will burn holes in them, flappers will melt, and parts in the drive start bubbling. But it does not shove steam back into the oil system :facepalm:

 

[mark1905]

Re: 3.0LX with blowby, water in oil and lots of fun times ahead. Not.

I hear you. This was what a mechanic over the phone said. I admit that I used the word "somehow" but he did not. He just said that if the manifold was corroded, that I could be getting steam back in the system. *shrug*

We'll pull off the manifold tomorrow and see what it looks like. I appreciate the help and guidance.

 

[RogersJetboat454]

Re: 3.0LX with blowby, water in oil and lots of fun times ahead. Not.

To the O.P.
Nobody added an engine oil cooler to this engine, right?

 

[Don S]

Re: 3.0LX with blowby, water in oil and lots of fun times ahead. Not.

He just said that if the manifold was corroded, that I could be getting steam back in the system.

He must believe it, but I don't know how it can happen.

PS: I heard one of my x boss's make statements like that before to people on the phone. He just smiled and said they don't know the difference and went on about his business. I didn't work for him long.

 

[mark1905]

Re: 3.0LX with blowby, water in oil and lots of fun times ahead. Not.

To the O.P.
Nobody added an engine oil cooler to this engine, right?

No sir..

He must believe it, but I don't know how it can happen.

PS: I heard one of my x boss's make statements like that before to people on the phone. He just smiled and said they don't know the difference and went on about his business. I didn't work for him long.

Thinking about the logic of it, I'm not sure either. Assuming that an exhaust port was corroded and leaking, that would let the gas escape to either an intake port or to the exterior.. correct? He specifically said something about the steam. Again.. *shrug*. I need to get clarification tomorrow..

 

[RogersJetboat454]

Re: 3.0LX with blowby, water in oil and lots of fun times ahead. Not.

I need to get clarification tomorrow..

I'll give you clarification right now...

If you can't dazzle them with your knowledge, baffle them with BS....

 

[Don S]

Re: 3.0LX with blowby, water in oil and lots of fun times ahead. Not.

An exhaust port is in the exhaust that does have water around it in the exhaust manifold. But it is not connected to the intake, nor is it connected to the oil passages. It might happen with a cracked head, but not because of a plugged up exhaust water passage.

 

[wmk123]

Re: 3.0LX with blowby, water in oil and lots of fun times ahead. Not.

I feel that I have to interject some comments and history.

I have a 1996 3.0 LX Mercruiser, I thought I was buying a turnkey boat, NOT!!

After replacing the alternator, 2 starters, 1st was substandard foreign made, finally I got one at West Marine, so far so good.

I thought all was good, well not so good engine ran rough,oops, water in the oil, all mixed signals as to why. Well off come the manifold, elbow, head etc. Water flapper in the exhaust, bad. Elbow, good. Combinatioin intake/exhaust, good. Head, no good corroded and holes allowing water to enter cylinders, therefore the oil through the rings etc.

New head, everything, OK? NO! Defective head gasket, not USA made, I have to assume. Machine shop looked at it and said UGH, swiss cheese, bummer.

I am ready to assemble this again, I hope that this time I could start it and go fishin'!!

This little story to tell all that there will be a light at the end of the tunnel and look for trouble around the bend, just hope it is a short bent.

WMK

 

[ENSIGN]

Re: 3.0LX with blowby, water in oil and lots of fun times ahead. Not.

After running for 15 years your blowby issue is probaly the rings.be smart and take don's advice and have a cylinder leak down test done. If it's bad there's no point in pulling the manifold