87 OMC Cobra 2.3L Water in Oil/Motor

[LoSRx7]

We just finish rebuilding a 2.3L OMC cobra motor, after finding the carb. screw on top of the 4th piston.

We started the motor up with the hose hooked up and the motor ran smooth everytime we started it up. No leaks seen.

So we took the boat out to a lake, after a few minutes in the water, the engine ran like crap and eventually wouldn't keep running. We check the oil, and its milky white. This is water mixing with oil right???

Now we used all new gaskets, and also replaced the flap in the exhaust. When the boat is not in the water, it runs fine, but as soon as we put it in water, we get water mixing with oil.

Has anyone ever experienced this?? Any ideas of what might be happening? Could a gasket be wrong?? Maybe i missed a plug or hole? Thanks.

Carlos

 

[wheeler87]

Re: 87 OMC Cobra 2.3L Water in Oil/Motor

Sounds like a head gasket . Did you re-tourque the head after you ran it on the hose? most of the time the head must be re-tourque after the first start. Also be sure to tourque the head in the correct sequence , there is a slight risk of warping the head if not done in the correct sequence. Hope this helps

 

[LoSRx7]

Re: 87 OMC Cobra 2.3L Water in Oil/Motor

Would the head gasket cause water to enter while only in the water, but not when plugged into the garden hose with ear muffs?

Do you happen to know the correct order in which you have to torque the bolts? Thanks.

 

[wheeler87]

Re: 87 OMC Cobra 2.3L Water in Oil/Motor

Yes the possibility does exist that it would only suck up water while in the lake . The volume of water youre engine gets is much greater in the water than what it gets hooked to the muffs. Now with the torque sequence a general rule is to start with the center two bolts and work youre way to the ends in a clockwise rotation. Also never torque all at one shot , in other words starting in the center work youre way around at 25 ft lbs, then repeat the process in 10 or 15 lb increments till you reach the proper torque , once you reach that number go over all the bolts to be sure they are correct . run the engine to operating temp for 10 to 15 min, allow to cool and re-torque.

 

[wheeler87]

Re: 87 OMC Cobra 2.3L Water in Oil/Motor

wondering if this info helped?

 

[rod the aussie]

Re: 87 OMC Cobra 2.3L Water in Oil/Motor

We just finish rebuilding a 2.3L OMC cobra motor, after finding the carb. screw on top of the 4th piston.

We started the motor up with the hose hooked up and the motor ran smooth everytime we started it up. No leaks seen.

So we took the boat out to a lake, after a few minutes in the water, the engine ran like crap and eventually wouldn't keep running. We check the oil, and its milky white. This is water mixing with oil right???

Now we used all new gaskets, and also replaced the flap in the exhaust. When the boat is not in the water, it runs fine, but as soon as we put it in water, we get water mixing with oil.

Has anyone ever experienced this?? Any ideas of what might be happening? Could a gasket be wrong?? Maybe i missed a plug or hole? Thanks.

Carlos

Hi Carlos, Mate ,can you tell me where to get the omc 2.3 Headgaskets from,I am in australia,and haveing a hard time getting them..Kind Reguards Rod the aussie