Oil color question

[alexr254]

Hello All.

I was recently given a Mercruiser 470 3.7 ltr which i was told has roughly 20 hours use on it.
It has been stored for a couple years in one of those self storage closets.
The engine itself is a bare bone, it is the engine block and head only, without any manifolds, carb, etc... just the core engine with the block/head/oil pan.

The rest of the parts I have on a old same model engine which overheated and will salvage the parts. I will replace it with this new one once rebuilt.

Just yesterday i went and and put it up on the engine stand and pulled the oil drain plug... I was surprised to see a somewhat greyish oil come out with the consitency of diesel oil, but the color was a consistant grey (a smokey color).

After reading up on it, i am aware that its most likely water in the oil. But can it possibly be some sort of storage oil regent or something?

I have yet to remove the head from the engine, but will probably do it tomorrow to change the head gasket. Its just strange that a hardly used engine would have a bad head gasket, or water in the oil when it was stored indoors.

Or maybe i was lied to.

Any ideas what it could be?

 

[Bondo]

Re: Oil color question

Or maybe i was lied to.

Ayuh,.... I'd bet on That....

Gray oil is usually Water contaminated...

 

[90stingray]

Re: Oil color question

I would bet you were lied to... that's prolly why it was given to you. At least you didn't pay for it.

 

[JWebber]

Re: Oil color question

It could be also from condensation from sitting open like that. My gues would be to open it up or flip her over on a stand.

 

[Alumarine]

Re: Oil color question

Colors are hard to determine on the internet.
Can you provide a picture?
Oh, and welcome.

 

[Don S]

Re: Oil color question

Milky gray is the color of some oils with water in it. A lot more water than just condensation.

 

[Fordiesel69]

Re: Oil color question

Who cares about the oil color. You will still need to properly inspect / rebuild before putting in your boat.

Never beleive the story about its past. 9-10 times it is a lie.

 

[alexr254]

Re: Oil color question

There is no doubt i will change the gasket and take the head to the shop to have it cut.

Also there is no doubt water was in the oil, i placed some in a cup and let it sit for a day and noticed the oil on top.

I am still unsure how it got in there, but regardless will do an entire revamp.

thanks all.

 

[Friscoboater]

Re: Oil color question

I feel for you man. Good luck

 

[alexr254]

Re: Oil color question

its all good. i kinda knew what i was getting into, replacing an engine. But this was a surprise, that the replacement engine is basically shot.

Took the head off, looks like one of the pistons has some damage. Looks like it was banging against a little pebble and has small dents all on the top. i poured some oil on top to see if it leaks.

I am getting the head recut and will probably need to do an entire rebuild.