4.3L Mercruiser 1998 - Water in Oil

[fd232]

I have a 1998 Mercruiser 4.3L with Alpha 1. when I changed the oil, I used a pump to pump it out of the dipstick tube. the drain line with my oil pump is clear and I noticed a little water coming out when I first changed the oil. The amount was hard to tell, but it was probably less than 1/4 cup. I have been told that it is normal to get a small amount of water in the oil because of condensation and sitting over the winter.

Is this normal?? what can I do to make sure that the block is not leaking?

 

[Bondo]

Re: 4.3L Mercruiser 1998 - Water in Oil

Ayuh,.....

I'd think a 1/4 cup is alittle Excessive,... But maybe not.....

Run it,+ keep a very close eye on the Oil Level,.....
If it starts to Rise,......
You've got Problems........

 

[fd232]

Re: 4.3L Mercruiser 1998 - Water in Oil

If I run it hard for 30 minutes and keep a constant eye on the oil level and make sure it doesn't get milky, should I assume that all is well????

It does have fresh oil in it. I assume that if it does have a broken head gasket or other problem that it would show up in a short while as long as I get the engine hot and running. Will fresh oil still show up milky?

Thanks.........

 

[rather_be_boatin]

Re: 4.3L Mercruiser 1998 - Water in Oil

Enough water in the oil (new or old) will turn milky when taking the torturous path around the bearings and engine with the lube oil. Level will rise as mentioned above. In my 10 years of boating w/ mercs I've never had any noticible water come out during an oil change. (1st or season or otherwise) I had that motor for 8 years on my old boat and it seemed to be bullet proof. (salt use) But, I'm getting some payback this season however.

 

[fd232]

Re: 4.3L Mercruiser 1998 - Water in Oil

Well,
I ran the engine for over 1 hour and have no signs of milky oil...... The engine never got above 140-145 degrees and all seems well. The only sign of water that I did see was when I take off the oil fill cap (while running), it appears that there is steam coming from the filler cap with a few droplets of water on the cap. Other than that, the oil has NO milky appearance.

Any additional thoughts would be great, cause I'm still a little nervous about where the water came from.

My engine did "diesel" last year when towing the kids on the tube. I've been told that it may be the cause for some water in the oil.

 

[Don S]

Re: 4.3L Mercruiser 1998 - Water in Oil

DO NOT allow your engine to diesel, it does suck water back in the exhaust. Just starting it back up should cure any problem of water in the cylinders (or oil) The water has to go past the rings, so it will take a long time for the water to get past the rings and into the oil. I doubt that is the problem.

Might have a read at this Merc service bulletin on water intrusion.

http://www.boatfix.com/merc/Bullet/01/01_13.pdf

 

[fd232]

Re: 4.3L Mercruiser 1998 - Water in Oil

Thanks for all the help.....

I guess for now I am going to assume that all is ok, but will definitly keep an eye on the oil level and signs of water in the oil.