Milky fluid coming from spark plug hole

drpboston

Cadet
Joined
Jul 12, 2008
Messages
22
Hey all,

I think I'm screwed. First I'll start by saying I winterized the boat and motor a 1988 4.3L OMC about 500 hours.

Now I'll give you the symptoms:

Seems to be rust on my pulley's now and I suspect moisture found a way in to the engine compartment.

Oil is milky and all the way up the dipstick. Every time I re-insert the dipstick and recheck, the milky oil is all the way up the thing. Hmm, I think I'll change oil, but until I get the drain kit from home I'll look at some other things.

I rotate the engine at the flywheel, then pulled the spark plugs - facing aft, looking at the engine the port side rear plug closest to distributor comes out and starts pouring what looks like the milky oil. I try to collect it and after a few seconds end up putting the plug back in to stop the drainage. I immediately get concerned.

On the starboard side the middle plug does the same thing, just not as much milky fluid comes out.

This motor has not been started since winterized. Since oil does not drain up against gravity, it can't be coming from the oil pan.

What would be the most likely source to have milky oil all the way up the dipstick tube AND in 2 of my cylinders. I think this is bad news.

Haven't changed the oil yet to see what happens.

Thanks for the help, even if it's bad news!
 

Bt Doctur

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Aug 29, 2004
Messages
19,345
Re: Milky fluid coming from spark plug hole

Usually means water was mixing with the oil to be at the top of the dipstick,
also coming out of the spark plug holes means either a cracked head or cracked block.Time to pull the heads and take a look.
 

84Monaco

Seaman
Joined
Feb 22, 2009
Messages
73
Re: Milky fluid coming from spark plug hole

This would not be caused by ambient moisture. Sounds like an internal water passageway froze and cracked mixing your cooling system with your lube system...wish it was better news.
 
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