95 starcraft 3.0lx water oil problems

[96Islander]

Just picked up this 1995 Starcraft Islander 19' with the Mercruiser 3.0lx fresh water cooled and Alpha 1 drive that was mainly used in freshwater. I bought the boat and the oil was not milky at all he started it and ran it with water for about 10 minutes and everything checked out fine. I then took it out to the lake the following day after I changed the oil and filter, it was kinda dirty. I had it out for maybe an hour of runtime, watched all gauges and it did not get hot but the oil has a milky color to it no bubbles. I'm not new to engine's but haven't worked alot on marine engines. I know there are some 3.0 gurus on here...what things should I check before I pull the head off and check block/headgasket? Also the drive resevoir was full when I took it out and was almost empty by the time I got back it leaked in the bilge area. Heard no odd noises so the engine is fine just need to figure out where this water is coming in from. Thanks for any input.

 

[Don S]

Re: 95 starcraft 3.0lx water oil problems

Did you check the oil level before you left? Was it higher after you found it milky?

When you say you have freshwater cooling, that means you have a heat exchanger. Did the level of the antifreeze go down and the oil level go up?

 

[96Islander]

Re: 95 starcraft 3.0lx water oil problems

Did you check the oil level before you left? Was it higher after you found it milky?

When you say you have freshwater cooling, that means you have a heat exchanger. Did the level of the antifreeze go down and the oil level go up?

I did check the oil before I left and it didn't seem to be any higher after I found the oil to be milky. Same with the antifreeze it doesn't seem to be any lower from what I remember. It's such a small amount of water in the oil it's hard to say.

Thanks Don

 

[Bondo]

Re: 95 starcraft 3.0lx water oil problems

It's such a small amount of water in the oil it's hard to say.

Ayuh,... Condensation...??

 

[96Islander]

Re: 95 starcraft 3.0lx water oil problems

I was thinking that, but I don't think there would be much if any condensation since it was just running the day before for 5+ minutes...I could be wrong. Would hate for it to be something stupid like that and way over analyze it and start pulling things apart..Just don't want to squeek the bearings because the engine runs real smooth.

 

[Don S]

Re: 95 starcraft 3.0lx water oil problems

was thinking that, but I don't think there would be much if any condensation since it was just running the day before for 5+ minutes...

That would cause more condensation than it cured. The engine has to get the oil temp up over 212? to burn off the condensation. That is not going to happen on muffs or just short slow runs out on the water.

Are you looking at the oil on the dipstick, or seeing it inside the valve cover.

 

[Bondo]

Re: 95 starcraft 3.0lx water oil problems

Ayuh,... You did say the oil level Isn't rising,..??

Take it out,+ Run the Snot outa it for a couple hours....
It'll either burn off the water, or Fill the base,...

Just keep watch of the Oil Level...

 

[96Islander]

Re: 95 starcraft 3.0lx water oil problems

Thanks for the quick replies DonS and Bondo. Thats correct the oil level did not seem to rise when I took it out. I have been looking at the oil through the valve cover cap and dip stick. When you say go run the snot out of it...how much water in the oil could prove devestating to an engine...I want to keep her alive for awhile. Heres a quick picture of the oil through valve cover. I know pics help me more then an explanation.

 

[Bondo]

Re: 95 starcraft 3.0lx water oil problems

how much water in the oil could prove devestating to an engine...

Ayuh,... An extra quart would be Noticable on the dipstick,+ Probably not cause any other issues...
You could always drain it,+ air pressure test it,.... Should hold 15psi for hours...

 

[96Islander]

Re: 95 starcraft 3.0lx water oil problems

Might have to give that a shot, I have done this on 2 stroke jet skis but not on something like this. You just seal the intake and exhaust off; find a fitting that goes into the block and pressurize to 15 psi? correct me if I'm wrong.

 

[Bondo]

Re: 95 starcraft 3.0lx water oil problems

Ayuh,... You said it's Freshwater Cooled, with Antifreeze.....

Just screw a Stant tester where the radiator cap is,+ Pump it up...

 

[96Islander]

Re: 95 starcraft 3.0lx water oil problems

Ayuh,... You said it's Freshwater Cooled, with Antifreeze.....

Just screw a Stant tester where the radiator cap is,+ Pump it up...

Yep that makes more sense. Thanks

 

[96Islander]

Re: 95 starcraft 3.0lx water oil problems

Well I went and rented a stant tester from schucks today pumped it up to 15psi let it sit for roughly 3 hours...the gauge did not drop at all. Wondering if its possible that when the engine gets warm that the metal expands and thats when I'm getting the water leakage..going to change the oil one more time; take it out and see what happens whenever this rains settles. thanks for the input fellas

 

[96Islander]

Re: 95 starcraft 3.0lx water oil problems

Figured out that there was no thermostat in so it would not get even close to operating temperature. Once I installed that the milky oil cleaned right up to golden brown after I ran it for an hour so im lucky it was just the condensation.