Steam like smoke and a few drops of water!

[dtescher]

97 4.3GL PLKD

Running rough last time out. So, I thought I'd change the plugs. While changing the spark plugs I noticed the starboard side three were rusty at the tips. Port side were good. Then I ran on muffs to check carburetor adjustment and saw steam like smoke coming out of the rocker hoses and a few drops of water below them on the top of the motor. Then I took off the valve cover and saw the water and oil sludge on the inside(see pics below). I checked the dip stick and it was clean and the oil level was normal. Need advice on whether to just take it to a boat mechanic or should I try to find where the water is coming from first. If it's not too difficult.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Steam like smoke and a few drops of water!

97 4.3GL PLKD

Running rough last time out. So, I thought I'd change the plugs. While changing the spark plugs I noticed the starboard side three were rusty at the tips. Port side were good. Then I ran on muffs to check carburetor adjustment and saw steam like smoke coming out of the rocker hoses and a few drops of water below them on the top of the motor. Then I took off the valve cover and saw the water and oil sludge on the inside(see pics below). I checked the dip stick and it was clean and the oil level was normal. Need advice on whether to just take it to a boat mechanic or should I try to find where the water is coming from first. If it's not too difficult.

View attachment 224448
View attachment 224449

Ayuh,... That's just condensation,... Light 'er off, 'n run it up to temp for awhile, 'n it'll simply steam off,...

 

[tazrig]

Re: Steam like smoke and a few drops of water!

+1^^^ Nothing to worry about with the oil. How long was it before you changed your plugs last?

 

[dypcdiver]

Re: Steam like smoke and a few drops of water!

I don't like the idea of rust on the plugs! How long has it been since you pulled the riser off? Could some water have leaked down into the manifold? It worries me that you may have rust in the bores.
Pull the rocker cover off the other bank and see if it has the same amount of emulsified oil present, if it has then do as the others say and run it up to temperature for a while to get rid of the condensation.

 

[dtescher]

Re: Steam like smoke and a few drops of water!

I haven't changed the plugs in years. The other cover looks the same. Thanks! I feel a lot better about where the water is coming from. Now I've got to figure out why it's running rough at idle but fine at higher speeds. I'll do some research about. Unless someone has some input regarding where to start since changing the plugs didn't help.

 

[tazrig]

Re: Steam like smoke and a few drops of water!

If you haven't changed the plugs in years have you changed the distributer cap and rotor? The spark plug wires? Cap and rotor should be every year in the spring. Also did you gap the plugs before you put them in? any of the above would be a reasonable place to start for the problem you're having. Also check the wires that go from the coil to your distributer cap to make sure they are free of rust or corrosion. If not than sand them clean as well as the coil posts.

 

[dypcdiver]

Re: Steam like smoke and a few drops of water!

The inside of my distributor cap after 4 months storage!

 

[tazrig]

Re: Steam like smoke and a few drops of water!

that would account for why it's running rough. The cap and rotor should be changed every year in the spring.

 

[dtescher]

Re: Steam like smoke and a few drops of water!

No I haven't changed the cap and rotor or the plug wires. Will order parts and get it done. Thanks for all the help.

 

[dtescher]

Re: Steam like smoke and a few drops of water!

I installed new distributor cap, rotor, and plug wires. All OEM Volvo. Took it out for test drive recently. Still running rough at idle. Tried adjusting carbs. No better. What's strange is that it runs great at 3500 rpm doing around 30MPH+. If I go above 4000 RPM then the engine
backfires a lot. Would a carb rebuild help this problem? Is it a fuel issue or vacuum leak? What should I check next?

 

[Bondo]

Re: Steam like smoke and a few drops of water!

I installed new distributor cap, rotor, and plug wires. All OEM Volvo. Took it out for test drive recently. Still running rough at idle. Tried adjusting carbs. No better. What's strange is that it runs great at 3500 rpm doing around 30MPH+. If I go above 4000 RPM then the engine
backfires a lot. Would a carb rebuild help this problem? Is it a fuel issue or vacuum leak? What should I check next?

Ayuh,.... Carbs have circuits,... It sounds like the idle, 'n top-end circuits are plugged or restricted in yer carb,...

Ya,... I'd rebuild it,...

 

[jerryjerry05]

Re: Steam like smoke and a few drops of water!

If you have rust on 3 plugs on the same bank.
You probably have a bad riser/manifold.
Take the manifold off and do a flow test on the manifold.
Checking for leaks.
Fresh water or salt?
The monifolds are 17 and probably due for replacement.

 

[dtescher]

Re: Steam like smoke and a few drops of water!

I will rebuild the carb. And check the risers and manifold. If I need a new manifold where's the best place to get one? On this site? eBay?
Does the shop manual show how to do a flow test on the risers and manifold?

 

[jerryjerry05]

Re: Steam like smoke and a few drops of water!

The flow test is probably not in the manifold.
I just set them up is the same position as they are on the motor.
You can actually leave it on the motor just pull it out far enough so you can see the ports.
Then hook a hose to the inlet and turn the water on slowly.
But look at the ports for rust.

 

[dtescher]

Re: Steam like smoke and a few drops of water!

I rebuilt the carb and it still idles rough. Need help on how to find and fix steam situation. It's not condensation. It just won't burn off. And how to fix the rough idle. How can I test for vacuum leak. There's no vacuum hoses anywhere. Should I check the timing? Could it just change by itself? It was running fine before it sat for a couple months.