Risers or a Head Gasket??? Need Help and Advice w/ Pics

[ThndrSki]

I live in Tampa, FL, and had the boat out about 6 times this year and it has performed magnificently... Took it out on Memorial Day, ran it 3 times without incident and on the 4th time, I stop the boat, and the starter made a nasty clunk then free spinning...

I was towed in, pulled the plugs and found water in a few of the cylinders, mostly 2 and 4 (as I recall) on the starboard side...

The starter didn't want to engage again, so I sprayed Liquid wrench in all of the cylinders to be safe, purchased a cheap one for the time being and started the engine to burn out the water. Surprisingly, it ran great for the warm up period on the trailer.

Now to the quiestions, after removing the risers, I couldn't see a definite spot where the gasket might have leaked BUT the rear extension of the elbow is rusted away and lodged in the metal tube which goes out the through hull exhaust! I think this might be the culprit but I wanted to make sure the headgasket wasn't bad. When I drained the oil, about 1/4 cup (guesstimate) of water was in the pan.

I read several posts where Don has said it is almost always the risers, but again, would like to know for sure. I have included pics of the bad riser on starboartd side.

Would the missing collar piece let water accumulate or do I have headgasket issues....?

1995 Mercruiser 5.7 Magnum Alpha 1
Baja 188 Islander

 

[Fishermark]

Re: Risers or a Head Gasket??? Need Help and Advice w/ Pics

Those are without question junk - and I would strongly suspect the manifolds are not far behind. Welcome to the wonderful world of salt water here in SW Florida.

 

[joewithaboat]

Re: Risers or a Head Gasket??? Need Help and Advice w/ Pics

I second that they are junk! I cant believe they can get that bad without leaking sooner, but I'm not a saltwater guy.
You would be wise to replace all of it.

 

[ThndrSki]

Re: Risers or a Head Gasket??? Need Help and Advice w/ Pics

So neither of you think it's a headgasket?

 

[Bondo]

Re: Risers or a Head Gasket??? Need Help and Advice w/ Pics

So neither of you think it's a headgasket?

Ayuh,.... Ya need risers, 'n/ or manifolds, Anyways,...

Put 'em on, 'n Try it....

 

[joewithaboat]

Re: Risers or a Head Gasket??? Need Help and Advice w/ Pics

So neither of you think it's a headgasket?

Could be a head gasket as well but the manifolds are wasted.

Might run a compression test. Its pretty painless with all of that stuff out of the way. It usually shows bad head gasket.

 

[NHGuy]

Re: Risers or a Head Gasket??? Need Help and Advice w/ Pics

The head gaskets aren't necessarily failed but the exhaust cooling definitely is. You have the classic symptoms of failed risers &/or exhaust manifolds. Just change em out, run the motor and see what you get. I bet your motor is fine.
Sure run a compression check too, easy to do.

 

[ENSIGN]

Re: Risers or a Head Gasket??? Need Help and Advice w/ Pics

Don't guess!pressure test the engine for leaks and do a cylinder leak down test.These will confirm a head gasket problem BEFORE you start taking things apart.The risers and very possibly the manifolds are junk.

 

[AviatorJim]

Re: Risers or a Head Gasket??? Need Help and Advice w/ Pics

I'd change the head gaskets anyway. If you have gone through the work of getting the manifolds and risers out, you aren't too far from getting the heads off. Then you know for sure.

 

[TilliamWe]

Re: Risers or a Head Gasket??? Need Help and Advice w/ Pics

I'd change the head gaskets anyway. If you have gone through the work of getting the manifolds and risers out, you aren't too far from getting the heads off. Then you know for sure.

I completely disagree with this statement. Not only are the headgaskets NOT likely to be bad, it's a LOT more work, TECHNICAL WORK, to remove and re-install cylinder heads. Plus there are additional headgaskets to buy.

As stated above, your exhaust components are JUNK. Replace manifolds and riser on both sides. And sure, do a compression test while the manifolds are off, the plugs are easier to reach then. But you most likely won't have compression issues.

The 1st through about 4th reasons for water in a marine engine are exhaust manifolds/riser. That's where you are at.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Risers or a Head Gasket??? Need Help and Advice w/ Pics

I completely disagree with this statement. Not only are the headgaskets NOT likely to be bad, it's a LOT more work, TECHNICAL WORK, to remove and re-install cylinder heads. Plus there are additional headgaskets to buy.

As stated above, your exhaust components are JUNK. Replace manifolds and riser on both sides. And sure, do a compression test while the manifolds are off, the plugs are easier to reach then. But you most likely won't have compression issues.

The 1st through about 4th reasons for water in a marine engine are exhaust manifolds/riser. That's where you are at.

Ayuh,... Ditto that,....