plug out ... bilge flooded!!!

[paul c 2]

Did the ultimate dum-dum today ..left out the transom drain plug Engine died after pulling away from dock and wife said water was coming in. Fortunately we got a tow back and the bilge pump kept us afloat.<br />Got back home with our 4 Winns with an 88 OMC 3L Cobra, drained out the rest of the water and tried to start it up. It started ok but was blowing emulsified oil out the valve cover breather tube. Looked in the fill hole and saw more of same . What's the best course now? I was planning on draining,changing filter, running a minute and then repeating the whole process a few more times, possibly using an automotive filter for the cleaning process if i can get an equivalent. Any other suggestions or comments (besides the wise cracks about leaving the plug out)

 

[bubbakat]

Re: plug out ... bilge flooded!!!

sounds like a good plan to me

 

[a.d.mobile]

Re: plug out ... bilge flooded!!!

you are on the right tract the filter is just a short stile chevy we use ac filters on service boats. that is what gm sends them out with. if you are draining into the bilge which is not great but works( if you double up on garbage bags drain oil in them then remove carefully this will keep bilge clean) you're process will be faster. once drained and new filter add 1 qt of trans fluid in place of 1 qt oil let engine run for 20 min or so on hose at idle then drain again it will probally take 3 times. when finished be sure to have all motor oil in. dont worry you are not the only one who has done this one!!!!

 

[paul c 2]

Re: plug out ... bilge flooded!!!

Thanks guys. Thought I really did some biiig damage but maybe not. Looks like the water got into the crankcase through a breather tube (?) that sits in the bilge. It's a black plastic tube the size of a pencil. Haven't tried to locate the other end yet so it could be something entirely different.

 

[a.d.mobile]

Re: plug out ... bilge flooded!!!

that tube is the flywheel housing vent it should be tied up not laying in the bilge water will get in there. just zip tie it up. being a 3,0 gm engine if the water got to the block side it gets in thru dip stick. the bad thing if starter was under it will soon be junk find a rebuilder remove it and have it dried out and gone thru usualy cost 50.00 to 100.00 depending on the guy.

 

[bubbakat]

Re: plug out ... bilge flooded!!!

On that last oil change i would slip down to the parts store and get me some motor flush and run it in there for about ten minutes and then drain put in good oil and filter.<br /> should be good to go then

 

[pconsolini]

Re: plug out ... bilge flooded!!!

Bubbakat: it that automotive type motor flush and just toss it in with the oil??

 

[a.d.mobile]

Re: plug out ... bilge flooded!!!

paul that is what the trans fluid is doing for you do not run trans fluid or engine cleaner other than on the hose do not run under load.

 

[bubbakat]

Re: plug out ... bilge flooded!!!

trans fluid will eat the seals up in a motor so go get a quart of regular engine flush and mix with oil bring up to within 50% of operating temp and the shut off and let drain. <br /> Do not let it run under a load just enough to get the water chased out it will not harm the engine have done it several times with marine inboards

 

[a.d.mobile]

Re: plug out ... bilge flooded!!!

trans fluid WHAT! come on how can it do that This will not happen please advise on good knowledge only what kind of seals do you think are in transmission now? I work with sealing with motors and transmission now got tons of testing info lets go. If anything the motor flushing chemicals that are out there can be harmful the different chemicals used. most of them are 65% diesel fuel.

 

[bubbakat]

Re: plug out ... bilge flooded!!!

will not argue a point with you but have been there and done that with transmission fluid inside motors.

 

[ctak]

Re: plug out ... bilge flooded!!!

One more thing to look out for is water in the bellows. I have an alpha 1 mercruiser and got a little water in the bellows this way. I didn't have enough water to get above the starter but when pulling out of the water the angle must have been enough to let water into through the drive shaft area. Anyway I think it lead to pre-mature failure of my gimble bearing. Anyway it may something else to check while your at it.

 

[a.d.mobile]

Re: plug out ... bilge flooded!!!

pulling drive is good idea there should be nothing in there omc does not have a vent hole like merc. but it is a good check if water did get in it gets costly grease gimbal while there and u-joints.

 

[pconsolini]

Re: plug out ... bilge flooded!!!

Got to the boat yesterday. First draining got a gallon of water and 1/2 gal of whipped oil. Replaced oil(also used 1 qt trans fluid), filter & tried to start but just clunk from solenoid - battery was mosttly dead . Checked positive to ground for any shorts but didn't see any, must have been when things were wet. Put battery on charger, fiddled with some other things until it would crank - now crank but no spark . Found that the positive lead to the coil had a worn thru spot on the insulating sleeve and shorting to the coil case. Fixed that. Now it started. Let it warm up, shut it down, and repeated drain/fill process 3 more times before only oil drained out. Also pulled the starter, dried it out well, relubed the bearings, etc. and it seems OK. Drained the flywheel housing (nothing there) and checked the bellows (also nothing there).<br />Now to the questions:<br />1) as I was watching the pulleys go round and round, I happened to touch the thermostat housing after the engine was up to temp. The housing was stone cold except for the extreme bottom where it mated with the thermostat well which was hot. The hose from the transom to the housing was cold as was the hose to the exhaust. The big hose on the water pump however was hot. Does this mean the thermostat is stuck closed? According to the diagram in my manual the upper housing should be getting heated water once the thermostat opens.<br />2) When I was getting supplies for the oil fill/drain exercise, I noticed that some automotive oil filters have the same number as the marine version, particullarly Fram and AC. Are these the same filters or are the "marine" versions something sepcial?<br />Anyway, I'll not forget the plug again (fingers crossed). I know I'll be reminded by three other people every time.

 

[a.d.mobile]

Re: plug out ... bilge flooded!!!

were you running it on the hose? if so the cold water will do that the t-stat gets a work out on/off on/off if temp gauge read ok she will be fine just monitor glad you got going again! the filter thing yes there the same filters. there not stainless, here at gm the boat motors go out with the same a/c filter as your truck.

 

[pconsolini]

Re: plug out ... bilge flooded!!!

yes it was on a hose with the ear muffs. Temp gauge was reading up around 180. I'll keep an eye on it next time out. Thanks for the advice!