888 gunk out

[johnzonh]

HI guys,

I have posted several times trying to identify our power loses after our 888 gets warm. Finally pulled the heads and confirmed a few things...one that the oil was sludged up with all sorts of water, and that in several places the water jacket holes were crudded up with sediment. Fortunately, NO signs of a cracked block.

A few questions ... easiest way to clean out the sediment? Secondly, the oil is a mess, I'm not looking forward to pulling the oil pan since it is full of water I am sure. What are some good ways to get most of the sludge cleaned and the water out?

I did notice that the head gasket impeded the water flow near the #1 and #5 cylinders... is that proper for a head gasket to do that? Or when I do get the new gasket set should I make sure the holes (there are two on each side at the front on each head) are opened up on the gasket? I just don't want to have the same issues all over again if a hole should be opened up on the gasket to keep the water flowing.

The boat is kept in fresh water, any tips on the gasket set I should get?

Thanks for the info.

john

 

[haulnazz15]

Re: 888 gunk out

I can't imagine water getting into the oil pan without having done significant damage elsewhere to the engine. You either have a cracked block internally (you won't see this without engine teardown) or you had a failed head gasket/riser/intake manifold gasket that allowed water into the combustion chamber and it seeped past the pistons into the oil pan. The only real way to remove that gunk is to have the engine dipped in a hot tank. You should probably just buy a reman'd 302 and drop it in.

 

[Bondo]

Re: 888 gunk out

Fortunately, NO signs of a cracked block.
Secondly, the oil is a mess, I'm not looking forward to pulling the oil pan since it is full of water I am sure.

Ayuh,... Sure sounds like a cracked block to me...

 

[Gettinther]

Re: 888 gunk out

HI guys,

I have posted several times trying to identify our power loses after our 888 gets warm. Finally pulled the heads and confirmed a few things...one that the oil was sludged up with all sorts of water, and that in several places the water jacket holes were crudded up with sediment. Fortunately, NO signs of a cracked block.

A few questions ... easiest way to clean out the sediment? Secondly, the oil is a mess, I'm not looking forward to pulling the oil pan since it is full of water I am sure. What are some good ways to get most of the sludge cleaned and the water out?

I did notice that the head gasket impeded the water flow near the #1 and #5 cylinders... is that proper for a head gasket to do that? Or when I do get the new gasket set should I make sure the holes (there are two on each side at the front on each head) are opened up on the gasket? I just don't want to have the same issues all over again if a hole should be opened up on the gasket to keep the water flowing.

The boat is kept in fresh water, any tips on the gasket set I should get?

Thanks for the info.

john

Is the engine out or still in the boat?

#1 easiest way to clean out the sediment? - In the water jacket remove core plugs and wash with water from garden hose and scrape out all the scale and rust possible.

#2 Secondly, the oil is a mess, I'm not looking forward to pulling the oil pan since it is full of water I am sure. What are some good ways to get most of the sludge cleaned and the water out?

If engine is out, then remove the oil pan and timing cover and wash it with a solvent or gasoline, blow it dry with compressed air, then spray it with clean oil. Be sure to prime the oil pump and system by hand after reassembly.

If the engine is still in the boat, pull the drain plug in the oil pan and do a lot of oil changes with filter warming engine each time in quick succession untill oil is fairly clean. This method is not always successful.

#3 I did notice that the head gasket impeded the water flow near the #1 and #5 cylinders. - In these engines the gasket is somewhat restricted in this area to generate water flow to the rear of the engine, so if the gasket is made with that restriction don't open it up, as the rear cylinders will boil the water that does reach them creating a more serious problem than what you have.


Because you already have the heads off why not pull the engine if you haven't and do a good cleaning and check elsewhere in the block for cracks??

Did you check the manifolds for cracks or other damage like rust before you pulled the heads??

 

[johnzonh]

Re: 888 gunk out

i did... no damage that I could see...thanks for the input. Im going to drain the oil this week and see whats up underneath. The engine will stay in..i don't have the time or $$ to get a lift to pull it. I did notice a fair amount of rust in the head gaskets on the port side. i will keep everyone posted. No cracks in either the intake manifolds, the exhaust manifolds and risers, or the heads. wish me luck.