Leaking water

[jetman42485]

I just bought a 1985 sunbird with a 4.3 cobra omc......as I was warming up the engine to change the oil(I had the hose hooked up to the lower unit). But I noticed water leaking out of a inch and a half hole on the left side of the motor. It is mid way back between the spark plug and exhaust. Then I noticed a cap like thing laying on the bottom of the boat......does any body know what this is and if so how do I fix it. Thank you.

 

[southkogs]

Re: Leaking water

Sounds like a freeze plug. Might be a good idea to post a photo if you can.

They can be replaced (plenty of tutorials on the net), but I've never done it personally. The other thing to figure out is why you blew a plug. I'm assuming you didn't see this happening when you ran the engine before?

 

[jetman42485]

Re: Leaking water

Sounds like a freeze plug. Might be a good idea to post a photo if you can.

They can be replaced (plenty of tutorials on the net), but I've never done it personally. The other thing to figure out is why you blew a plug. I'm assuming you didn't see this happening when you ran the engine before?

After I read what u responded it defiantly is the freeze plug,my only worry is if it cracked my block now. But do you know if the freeze plug goes in round side in or round side out........I'm assuming round side in towards the motor. Thanks

 

[southkogs]

Re: Leaking water

I believe you are correct, however (in case you don't know) that plug must be replaced. There might be a reasonable chance that you need to pull the engine too - I'm not certain enough in a case like this. I'd be concerned as to why the plug came out, and in boats the most likely explanation is that the system wasn't winterized properly.

 

[Scott Danforth]

Re: Leaking water

that is a core plug. it is how the foundry sand is removed from the block core during casting process. if yours came out, you need to find why. generally that would indicate a freeze situation. they do go in round side. usually they are a one-time use. I would buy another one (brass), install it, and then pressure test the block and look for cracks.

 

[jetman42485]

Re: Leaking water

that is a core plug. it is how the foundry sand is removed from the block core during casting process. if yours came out, you need to find why. generally that would indicate a freeze situation. they do go in round side. usually they are a one-time use. I would buy another one (brass), install it, and then pressure test the block and look for cracks.

Thanks for all the help. I got temporary one from the auto parts store, put it in ran the engine no leakes. Kept checking the oil for water during and after it running and it didn't have any. So I don't think the block is cracked. I was reading online and they said thats a good way to check for cracks. I'm assuming it wasn't fully drained this last winter so it froze and that's why it popped out.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Leaking water

Thanks for all the help. I got temporary one from the auto parts store, put it in ran the engine no leakes. Kept checking the oil for water during and after it running and it didn't have any. So I don't think the block is cracked. I was reading online and they said thats a good way to check for cracks. I'm assuming it wasn't fully drained this last winter so it froze and that's why it popped out.

Ayuh,... Welcome Aboard,... Ya may have gotten Lucky....

I winterize Drained, 'n Dry,... Air don't freeze...

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Leaking water

Thanks for all the help. I got temporary one from the auto parts store, put it in ran the engine no leakes.

If you only ran it on muffs, that isn't a good enough test. Need to run it under load so that the block actually reaches high operating temps to know for sure.

 

[jetman42485]

Re: Leaking water

Thanks guys for all the advice! Just got back from the lake ,was out for 3 hours, ran like a champ and no water in the oil!!!