Overheating and water in oil.

[kaherc]

I've got an 82 21.5ft Searay Cuddy cabin with a 898 package. 305 mercruiser and a pre alpha drive.<br />I've had the boat out twice, once the day after I bought it and the temp reached about 210 deg, and the gimbal ring noise was louder than the engine. And then 2 weeks later after the gimbal bearing and impeller were replaced. Sounded great ran great.<br />Out on the water the second time noticed funny noise from engine. So I took a look and saw an ungodly amount of oil in the bilge. Also realized that the steering arm assy, actuator, was leaking out at the end. Then realized someone tried to seal it up with JB Weld at least 2 different times. <br />Also at WOT the temp was slowly increasing towards 180, when I backed off, temp came down rather quickly. Happened each time at WOT, before I realized oil in bilge. Checked the oil on dipstick and there wasn't much there. Maybe about 1/4 inch on stick. Parked it in my driveway and and took a look around. Could not see where oil leak was from. Valve covers are wet on the riser side of them but no evidence of oil leak from covers down the sides of block. Looked in right side valve cover (thru add oil cap) and noticed a little milky/water/oil something. <br />From my knowledge of cars, only 3 ways to get water in oil. Cracked block, head or head gasket. <br />Looked at oil pan and saw a hole on the right side of motor that was about 1/16 in diameter. Also front of oil pan is sopping wet under harmonic balance. How much pressure does the timing chain cover seal hold back from coming out of the front of it? Seems as though the seal has given up. But the water in oil boggles me. Shouldn't there be a lot of oil/water in engine?<br /><br />Would appreciate some help on this.<br />Thank you in advance.<br />korie

 

[Haut Medoc]

Re: Overheating and water in oil.

Water can also enter through a cracked or pourous riser or exaust manifold.

 

[KaGee]

Re: Overheating and water in oil.

Sounds like you have the beginnings of a project on your hands.<br /><br />Condensation can cause the milky thing in the valve covers, but running the engine at the temps you said, for a period of time should somewhat clear that up. Adding a can of BERRYMAN'S and running for 10 minutes before an oil change helps to remove that gunk. <br /><br />Was there water in the dipstick? Is there any signs of water in the cylinders?

 

[Don S]

Re: Overheating and water in oil.

There is no oil pressure in the timing cover, but if the cover is all rusty, it may have a few pin holes in it causing the oil leak, same with the oil pan. And with all the oil moving around when you are running, it will leak out.<br />You need to clean it all up and run the engine on muff and LOOK for the leak. Just guessing where it is will never locate it. Every place there is a gasket or seal is suspect. Along with sheet metal parts like timing chain covers, pan, valve covers.<br />The temperature may be from an old impeller, do you know when it was changed last.<br />You can also drain and block off all the hoses to the engines cooling system and pressureize the block and head with air to determine if it will hold pressure.

 

[cc lancer]

Re: Overheating and water in oil.

Do you have an oil cooler in the bottom of the bilge? If it split from not being winterized this could cause the oil in the engine.

 

[kaherc]

Re: Overheating and water in oil.

I might have shot myself in the foot! After a long debate I had with myself, I decided I was going to change a couple of parts. I took off: power steering pump, lines, and steering assy, risers and manifolds, valve covers, harmonic balance, and timing chain cover. Realized that timing chain cover was leaking at seal. There was a slight indent in the seal, where it looked like it just sat with something pressed on it. Sounds funny, but I think it was just old and not used in a long time. Spring lost its tightness maybe. <br /> Also looked at timing chain cover. Not rusted on the inside but totally rusted on the outside. Possible source of oil leak.<br />Went to clean up risers a little, try to scrape the inside between the inner and outer circles. Bad mistake. Broke a piece off the end of it with barely any effort. That tells me that they definitely need replacing.<br /><br />Well to answer a few of your questions.<br />No oil cooler in bottom of bilge.<br />Impeller was replaced bout 2 weeks ago. Along with upper and lower parts of it. Shop said that it was all burned up. Might be from before I purchased boat or after first time I had it in the water.<br />Hard to tell if there was water on dipstick when I discovered oil leak. <br /><br />How do I tell if theres water in the cylinders?<br /><br />And so far I have ordered a new oil pan, risers/manifolds, and timing chain cover. The timing chain cover is chrome, is that going to be a future prob? Also am going to take the heads off and get them refurbished or just new, depending on price.<br />As well as plugs, wires and distributor fillings. Not sure about points and stuff, never dealt with it.<br />Am I an idiot for starting to take engine apart or what? I just couldn't stand not doing anything about it.<br />Korie<br />And thank you for all the input.

 

[jeff13601]

Re: Overheating and water in oil.

Thats how you learn. Ask for advice and get your hands dirty. Change the oil and keep an eye on it. The water could have gotten there before you bought it, as I dont believe you said you had water in your oil

 

[DemersChrisG]

Re: Overheating and water in oil.

Pull off your exaust manifolds, if water comes out of the exaust port you have water in the cylinder. Thats how I found out. I had an entire water jug full of seawater in two of my cylinders from my risers gone bad. Sucks to be me. . .

 

[Don S]

Re: Overheating and water in oil.

Pull off your exaust manifolds, if water comes out of the exaust port you have water in the cylinder.

Well, that's one way to do it, but it's a whole lot easier to just pull the spark plugs out and turn the engine over by hand (or bump it over a little at a time with the starter) and see if water comes out of the cylinders.<br />Rusty spark plugs is another good sign.

 

[Peter J Fraser]

Re: Overheating and water in oil.

Korie,<br />If you got water in the oil pan then your oil will go all milky and emulsify with the water in the pan.<br />If the oil is newish in color or black if old then you probably have nothing to worry over.<br />You're asking the right Q's. Plenty of people here will give the right answers.<br />Good luck.<br /><br />Pete

 

[KaGee]

Re: Overheating and water in oil.

RE: Chrome timing cover. I did the same thing. Give it a couple of coats of Krylon Clear Engine Spray Paint prior to installation. It will aid in keeping the rust gremlins away.