engine leaking h2o

[Squab]

I have a 1989 4.3 Merc. I was having a starting issue which I thought was a vapor lock issue at the end of the season. I finally have gotten some time to work on the engine the other day and when I turned the key, I saw brown water coming from the engine from what looked to be the starter area.What can this be? I am thinking the worst.

 

[coheej]

Re: engine leaking h2o

You need to do a leak down test to check things out. With a starting issue, you could have water getting into a cylinder as well as an external leak.

 

[Squab]

Re: engine leaking h2o

it ran fine all year, then would not start one day as we were trying to get back in. Never had an issue. Just put new risers and manifolds this winter.

 

[coheej]

Re: engine leaking h2o

it ran fine all year, then would not start one day as we were trying to get back in. Never had an issue. Just put new risers and manifolds this winter.

It could be just a gasket, but like I said you need to be sure you don't have an internal or external crack in the block. You said when you 'turned the key I saw brown water in the starter area'. I assume you started the engine. Did it still run ok? How does the oil look?

 

[bruceb58]

Re: engine leaking h2o

You need to do a leak down test to check things out. With a starting issue, you could have water getting into a cylinder as well as an external leak.

Leak down test is not going to tell you anything. The leakis going to be in the water passages be it a crack or core plug leaking...not the cylinders. You would normally want to pressurize the water passages but in your case, you are just going to have to pull the engine. Was it winterized properly?

There are no gaskets at the rear of the engine near the starter that could possibly be leaking.

 

[Fishermark]

Re: engine leaking h2o

On muffs I assume? Sounds like the rear core plug may have popped out due to incorrect winterization.

 

[Squab]

Re: engine leaking h2o

no h2o in oil. Starbard side freeze plug still there. No cracks in exhaust elbow. Of coarse battery is dead so i now have to charge and see

 

[bruceb58]

Re: engine leaking h2o

When was the last time you ran this engine? Was it winterized last winter?

 

[Squab]

Re: engine leaking h2o

ran fine all summer

 

[Dakota47]

Re: engine leaking h2o

pull out the spark plugs & see if any water is in there..

 

[Fishermark]

Re: engine leaking h2o

Starbard side freeze plug still there.

I'm talking about the one(s) behind the bellhousing - pictured here:

 

[Bondo]

Re: engine leaking h2o

Ayuh,....

2 threads, same topic...

 

[Squab]

Re: engine leaking h2o

well update time.. i charged the batt, put a little fuel in the carb and she started up fine. no water from anywhere. could there just have been some water in the starter for some reason. It has been on land for a month so no flooding in the bilge.

 

[Squab]

Re: engine leaking h2o

Spring update! I think I have a problem. I did a compression test on the engine today and when I pulled the Plugs both #5 & 6 cylinders had liquid in them. What does this mean? End of last year I had water shoot out of starboard side of engine while winterizing.

 

[Bondo]

Re: engine leaking h2o

Spring update! I think I have a problem. I did a compression test on the engine today and when I pulled the Plugs both #5 & 6 cylinders had liquid in them. What does this mean? End of last year I had water shoot out of starboard side of engine while winterizing.

Ayuh,... And you're Already got another thread going about This Issue...