Is it likely that i may have destroyed my engine :-0

[nofuss]

I went out with my boat and it worked well, no problems. on trying to return my port engine refused to start.
i came home on starboard engine flushed it and paid attention to port engine.
trouble shooting showed water on plugs. suspect manifolds. removed them etc. Takes a while to replace as they have to be imported from Miami.
decide to try to start starboard engine just to keep it active. plan is to change all 4 manifolds. initial try engine seems locked, or battery very dead, removed #1 and #2 plugs they looked ok replaced in engine. second try engine sounded like it turned over with a bit of mechanical noise. not very loud. stopped and removed remaining plugs, #5 plug water wet and dirty. turned over engine using remote starter switch with ignition off and all plugs out. Water seen to come out of #5 cylinder, but small amount, engine turning over freely. removed manifold on that side foamed up cylinder and exhaust port with power foam, left for about 10 mins, While removed other manifold. and then cranked the engine to get foam out. then lubricated exhaust ports, and all cylinders with transmission oil, through plug hole. Cranked engine several times to ensure properly lubricated. all holes spitting out transmission fluid.
is there a real possibility that i may have done major damage to the engine in the initial crank. engine is turning freely with no strange noises.
sounds unlikely to me that the starter, would be strong enough to do mechanical damage, but i know there is a wealth of experience here on this forum. and although i am a pretty competent mechanic, i am not very familiar with V configuration inboard engines, or for that matter inboard gas engines on the whole. But I have been studying on here a lot
I am praying that this was not likely, as getting manifolds to trinidad is enough stress, much more bigger parts.

hoping for some replies
thanks
Pernell

 

[tschmidty]

Re: Is it likely that i may have destroyed my engine :-0

You should be ok, the water in the cylinder is what kept it from turning over. Change the oil, do a compression check, make sure it was the manifold that was the culprit, other than that it sounds like you did the right things cleaning it out.

 

[zbnutcase]

Re: Is it likely that i may have destroyed my engine :-0

Just because an engine had water in it doesen't mean its toast, but you have to act fast, and get it running asap to get some heat into it. Most engines have an incredable tolerance for abuse.

 

[Yellow Yota]

Re: Is it likely that i may have destroyed my engine :-0

Am I the only one wondering how water got into the combustion chambers?

 

[nofuss]

Re: Is it likely that i may have destroyed my engine :-0

Thanks guys, you make me feel better already. I pressure tested the manifolds and as suspected they all failed, allowing water from the jacket into the exhaust ports.
I should have manifolds here by week end and on and started as soon as they arrive. in the mean time i ensure that the engine is turned at least once every two days

@ yellow yota. Marine V configuration engines, and actually most marine engines, have exhausts manifolds that as the exhaust exits the head it moves in an upward direction. these manifolds are usually jacketed with cooling water to keep them cool. due to corrosion, communication often occurs between the exhaust channels and the water jacket. when this occurs, water enters the exhaust channels. when it reaches a point that the water flow overcomes the exhaust flow. which i zero when the engine is switched off, some water trickles down the manifold and into the cylinder head through an open exhaust valve. sometimes u are lucky (thank God) and sometimes it occurs while u are running hard and it hydrolocks, and sometimes totally destroys the engine. sometimes the water could end up in the crank case. and since the corrosion is more likely to be a problem in salt water, imagine what could happen when salt water enters the oil. especially when you dont recognize it. thats y its my policy to check all fluids before and after every run.

P still No Fuss