4.3 mercruiser vortec water in oil

Clarko1988

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
Apr 27, 2021
Messages
103
So the level of my oil never changes but milky substance in valve cover and under intake and distributor. But not any lower also mind you i have had a stuck open thermostat so has not been fully warming up is this the possible culprit?
 

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Scott Danforth

Grumpy Vintage Moderator still playing with boats
Staff member
Joined
Jul 23, 2011
Messages
50,306
if your thermostat is stuck open, the motor will never get to operating temperature to burn of condensation.

change the oil a few times, fix the thermostat issue and then take the boat for a good run at temperature.
 

Lou C

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Nov 10, 2002
Messages
13,058
Agreed that is not enough milkyness to suggest an engine problem but you want it running at least 140*F to burn off the moisture in the oil. I tried a 140 stat in mine and felt it ran too cool so went back to the 160 I have always used. Even in salt water. When I had the heads off I saw no real evidence of the dreaded deposits. Running too cool is really not a good thing.
 
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