Blue smoke from the exhaust

[SteveOH]

Hey iboat guys - I'm new to this site but so far it seems like most of you are very knowledgeable about this stuff so maybe someone can help me out. I just bought a 97 Crownline 182 with a 4.3lx gen + (according to the cover). Got it for cheap but am realizing you get what you pay for. I launched the boat in Lake Ontario last night and it started quite easily. Let it run for 3 min - no reading on the temp guage, oil pressure at 40 (psi I think). Blue smoke started to appear from the stern area. Left the dock and headed out the harbor, no temp, oil at 40. Pushed the throttle to full and only achieved about 25mph at approx 4500 rpm. Looked back and saw a trail of blue smoke and more coming from the stern. Stopped the boat, temp at 100 and oil pressure low on the gauge (not sure exact figure). I opened the engine cover and smoke was coming out from everywhere including the hoses from the valve covers to the carb and inbetween the exhaust mainfolds and heads. I think it was overheating as it sounded like water boiling or popping and the engine felt hot. With the key on the temp now only reads just over 100. After being towed back in I started the engine again easily and checked oil pressure at 30 or so, temp just over 100, less visible smoke. I did remove one of those little blue drain plugs under the port manifold and ran the engine - no water came out at all. I also noticed the bilge was filling with water (i think from the bellows, the shifter one is ripped in half) and a pure white substance which seemed to be coming from the port exhaust manifold rubber connection to the outdrive. I shut the motor off and checked the oil which is golden in color and looks new. Any advice on what is going on with this thing would be greatly appreciated. Also where can I get a shop manula for it. Thanks guys and have a good one!
Steve

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Blue smoke from the exhaust

Sounds like you have multiple problems. Not sure if the blue smoke oil problem you have exiested before you bought the boat or not but it definitely sounds like you are overheating. Very possible that your temp gauge doesn't measure the temp becuase you have little or no water in the engine surrounding the sender. Did you ever try staring this boat in the driveway with muffs?

Here are a few things I would do.

1) Measure your compression and possibly do a cylinder leakdown test
2) Check the fluid in your drive. This has nothing to do with your existing problem but should be done.
3) Pull the drive and check your bellows. Also check your u-joints and gimball bearing
4) Change the impeller in your drive.
5) do a full tuneup on the engine
6) change your fuel filters

You need to make sure when you start this thing again that you are getting good water flow. Buy a handheld IR meter and make measurements with this while the engine is warming up. You can also hold your hands ion the risers to make sure they are not getting too hot. Should only get up to 120 degrees or so at idle.

Time to educate yourself now before you do anymore damage. There are manuals in the adults sticky at the top of all the threads.

Not sure how long this boat has set but you may also have carb problems but the fact that you were trying to run an overheating engine is probably your lack of power. Hopefully, you didn't toast your engine

 

[havasuboatman]

Re: Blue smoke from the exhaust

Another thing to consider is what did the blue smoke smell like? Oil, or burning rubber. Rubber, right? If so, It is because the rubber components of your cooling system got so hot they began to burn.
Listen to bruceb58, "educate yourself" and don't start that engine until you have completely inspected and repaired your fresh water system.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Blue smoke from the exhaust

Also where can I get a shop manula for it.

Ayuh,... I think you'll find your motor,+ drive listed in the free manuals up in the Adults Only section,....
I hope you're a Mechanic,.... Good luck with it,... Bruce has you headed the Right way....

 

[SteveOH]

Re: Blue smoke from the exhaust

Thanks guys I really appreciate all the advice. I have a few updates as well but I think Bruce, you're right on the money that I have several problems.

I checked the oil again and noticed it is 3/4" of an inch overfull - golden in color and doesn't smell burnt - could this overfilling be the cause of the blue smoke from the exhaust?

The white liquid was from the trim hose melting on the exhaust tube and leaking the white fluid (this shouldn't be white should it?)

Ran it in the driveway with muffs and one of the cooling hoses off no water circulation

Removed the drive and separated the upper and lower - there was lots of debris and rust bits around the impeller housing, the tubes from the housing going to the copper pipe are melted and falling apart (I think the cause of the debris), the u joint looks brand new as does it's bellows, the exhaust and shift bellows are both in several pieces, the drive oil was green and new looking and smelling.

After removing the drive I noticed 4 thin metal parts in the exhaust bellows which I have learned are water shutters - great another issue to fix!

I'm going to replace the tubes, impeller, bellows and put the drive back together after a good clean up. I'll test the engine as per Bruce (thanks again!) and pray the lack of power was from overheating - I was told the carb, fuel filters and oil were just changed (the carb looks new, may require adjustment - yet another issue I'll be back with that one if it comes to it) and do a full tune up including oil as its too full anyways. I'm planning to remove the exhaust manifolds (1 piece) and clean them as I removed the drain elbows and put my finger in there and found a lot of rust which I want out.

I'll keep you posted as I go and if anyone can let me know about the overfull oil blue smoke issue that would be great!

Steve

 

[Bondo]

Re: Blue smoke from the exhaust

The white liquid was from the trim hose melting on the exhaust tube and leaking the white fluid (this shouldn't be white should it?)

Ayuh,... That White is Water,... It should look like Oil or ATF....
For the Cooling system,....
Backflush it from the T-Stat housing to the Outdrive, before you put it back on,...
Probably a pile of Impeller pieces in that line...

 

[SteveOH]

Re: Blue smoke from the exhaust

Thanks Bond-O, surprisingly enough the impeller is in mint shape??? I have another already and will change it while I'm there. I did also notice that the water jacket in the upper half of the drive is totally plugged with what looks like silicone - excepts its yellow. I blew it out from the copper tube with an air gun and you wouldn't believe how much came out. So far I've found burnt plastic, a lot of rust, the water shutters and now some gummy silicone blocking the cooling system - I can't understand how all that happened? What do you think about the oil being too full - could that be the cause of the blue smoke or do you think the engine is toast? My guess is with all the cooling problems it's probably been overheated several times including once since I've had it?

 

[Bondo]

Re: Blue smoke from the exhaust

surprisingly enough the impeller is in mint shape??? I have another already and will change it while I'm there.

Ayuh,... I'd put the Full Kit into it,... Housing,+ All....

As for the Sillyseal,..?? Who Knows,..?? Doesn't ring any Bells for Me....

The motor's Oil,..?? Drain it from the Bottom,... If there's Water, that's where it is,...
If it's All oil,... Run it after correcting the level...

 

[SteveOH]

Re: Blue smoke from the exhaust

The WILD GOOSE lives on thanks to all the guys who replied to this All of the information and advice I got was right on, you guys know your stuff!

To update:

Blue smoke issue resolved - the rubber parts of the exhaust system were burning causing the smoke.

No water circulation causing the overheating issue caused by blocked water jackets in the upper half of the drive. On your advice I replaced all the impeller and associated parts there too and am very thankful I did while I had it apart.

The engine now circulates water properly and stayed cool during a run Tuesday for a half hour at cruising speed.

I'll do a complete tune up in the spring, at least now I can put it away running!!

 

[cr2k]

Re: Blue smoke from the exhaust

Sounds like the PO did his own work but knew not what he was doing. Got it mess up beyond his comfort level and you got a potentially good deal.