Pulled spark plugs and water came out

[jbutler67]

Recently had outdrive removed to repair a bent prop shaft. Outdrive was off for a week. After outdrive was reattached, mechanic tried to start engine.

Starter was making a grinding noise. Mechanic replaced starter. After replacing starter, still hearing a grinding noise. I went to hear noise myself, since I never heard that noise before.

I pulled the plugs to see if they were gummed up. Many plugs were wet and water drained out of last spark plug hole - on cylinder near starboard aft. I had not even put muffs on yet, so water no water was flowing to engine from muffs.

What immediate steps should I take to minimize damage to engine?

Change oil and filter? What else?

 

[Bondo]

Change oil and filter? What else?

Ayuh,..... You don't say what motor ya got,.... Get it Runnin' to dry it out,...

Probably failed exhaust manifolds/ risers, or cracked heads,.....

Has it been over heated lately,..??

 

[jbutler67]

Motor is 8 cylinder 1988 5.0L and OMC outdrive. 502APRGDP.

RE:
Has it been over heated lately,..??

Short answer - no.

Boat has been out of the water since Aug 29. Outdrive was removed and upper / lower units separated so the lower unit could be sent away to have prop shaft repaired after prop damaged from hitting a rock. Prop shaft had a little runoff in it, so had it repaired.

Last few times out, boat ran great. Put in new thermostat and thermostat housing in June. Also replaced water pump impellor in June. Temp gauge stayed around 140-160.

Boat throttled up onto plane with no issues and used to start on first key turn after one pump from throtlle. The fuel pump, carburetor, distributor, points, plugs, ignition coil all replaced this year. Fuel water perpetrator and fuel filter too.

The only time boat has had any water pumped through engine since Aug 29 was when mechanic put it on muffs after outdrive reconnected.

In addition to getting it running, to dry it out, should I spray anything down the spark plug holes?

I checked oil and it is fine. Not "milkshake".

 

[bruceb58]

Did the boat ever sit out in the rain with the motor cover removed? Possible rain water worked its way into the carb?

Salt water boat?

 

[jbutler67]

Yes, salt water boat. Doesn't stay in water though. Sits on a trailer when not being used. I [FONT=&quot]flush engine with fresh water after use - on muffs.[/FONT]

It is possible it sat out in the rain with the motor cover (doghouse) removed. There was water in the bilge even though boat hasn't been out ON water since Aug 29.

First thing I will do is get it running to dry it out. Run it on the muffs.

After running on muffs, I can pull plugs again to see if any are wet or if there is any water. As, I assume bad risers/manifolds will leak into engine even when running on muffs?

 

[bruceb58]

It actually leaks once you turn the engine off.

How old are the manifolds/risers? If older than 5 years, you are on borrowed time and you should replace them.

 

[Scott Danforth]

if it sat for any significant length of time with salt water in the cylinders, you may need to pull the motor apart or replace. fresh water will start to rust cylinder bores within 2-3 days. Salt water will start to rust the cylinder boars within 2-3 hours.

get the motor running on muffs. then when you shut it down, drain the manifold immediately.

after which, inspect the manifold and riser mating surface and perform a compression test.

 

[jbutler67]

Thanks Scott. Got it running today. Let it run for 15 mins on muffs. Watched temp. Never got above 160. Drained manifolds after I shut it down.

Will do compression test and compare to compression test I did in July. Will also inspect the manifold and riser mating surfaces.

 

[Bondo]

Drained manifolds after I shut it down.

Ayuh,.... That's how I figured out a 350 had cracked heads, 'n not bad manifolds,....

Shut it down, drained the manifolds, 'n still had water in the cylinders,....
Pulled the plugs, cranked it over, put the plugs back in, 'n fired it up again,....
When I shut it down, I drained the block,...
No more water in the cylinders,...

Fresh set of 906 Vortecs, 'n it was back in the river,....

Owner came clean, 'n said it was severely beat on, 'n overheated,....

 

[jbutler67]

Did the compression test today. Pulled the 8 spark plugs. No more water or moisture on any of the plugs. When I last ran it on Thursday, I drained the manifolds but not the block.

Compression tests came in pretty close to what it was in August - around 150+ on all except the #4, where it was higher at 165.

Season is over here in New England so I will be winterizing tomorrow. I'll wait until the Spring to pull and inspect the manifold and riser mating surfaces.