URGENT: water in engine bay

[Fishermark]

Re: URGENT: water in engine bay

I know your engine is an OMC, not Mercruiser, but to give you an idea of what Mercruiser recommends: (And oil formulations AND recommendations change over the years.... so there really is no use trying to figure out what OMC would have recommended for your engine when new)


This is from Mercruiser:


(And forget the idea that one brand is better than another... the important thing is the certification - not the brand).

To help obtain optimum engine performance and to provide maximum protection, we strongly recommend the use of the following oils listed in the order of recommendation:

1. MerCruiser / Quicksilver Synthetic Blend, NMMA FC-W rated, 4 cycle oil.
2. MerCruiser / Quicksilver 25W40 NMMA FC-W rated oil.
3. A NMMA FC-W rated oil.
4. MerCruiser / Quicksilver 4-cycle 25W40, non FC-W rated oil.
5. A good grade straight weight detergent automotive oil per the operating chart below.

NOTE: The use of non-detergent oils, multi-viscosity oils (other than as specified), non-FC-W rated synthetic oils, low quality oils or oils that contain solid additives are specifically not recommended.

 

[rodbolt]

Re: URGENT: water in engine bay

drain the oil,change the filter.
remove the starter,dissasemble and spray out with contact cleaner,reassemble.
spary all electrical connections with boeshield t9,wd-40 or other spray designed for electrical connection.
now the bad news.
the drive MUST be removed and the bellows inspected for water.
if you find water inspect the ujoints and most likly will replace the gimbal bearing.
no water and you dodged a bullet.
water will fill the bellows from the hull side if water in the bilge gets to the shaft level, when moving or loading on a trailer water piles up aft.
thats why automatic pumps in the 1000 GPH and up range are so nice.
would have more than paid for the pump,switch and installation today.
1000 GPH will out pump what a drain plug and most engine seawater pumps can produce.

 

[The Grayt 1]

Re: URGENT: water in engine bay

We put new cheap 30w oil in and put the filter and plugs back in. It fired right up no problems. We ran it on muffs for about 5 minutes and the oil pressure and water temps were fine. We drained the new cheap oil and now we are going to put the new filter and some marine 25w 40 oil in. We saw no signs of anything out of the norm. Do you think we are fine.

Should I worry about the gimbal and bellows? That scares the s out of me.

 

[JJJ]

Re: URGENT: water in engine bay

I would invest in an automatic switch for the bilge pump. The problem with the manual switches is you don't realize there is water in the hull until you either look or the boat feels funny - little to late most times then.

Well you can either pull the drive and check or chance it and hope water didn't get that high - top of the oil pan is pretty high IMO.

 

[DayCruiser]

Re: URGENT: water in engine bay

We put new cheap 30w oil in and put the filter and plugs back in. It fired right up no problems. We ran it on muffs for about 5 minutes and the oil pressure and water temps were fine. We drained the new cheap oil and now we are going to put the new filter and some marine 25w 40 oil in. We saw no signs of anything out of the norm. Do you think we are fine.

Should I worry about the gimbal and bellows? That scares the s out of me.

Just put the new oil in and go boating. Don't forget the plug

 

[The Grayt 1]

Re: URGENT: water in engine bay

update!

We just filled it back with good new Castrol 10w 30 oil and a new filter. We ran it on muffs for 30 minutes or so and checked the oil. It looks good and no signs of water. Do you think we are in the clear? No starter issues, electrical or engine knocks.

 

[Eric 3.7LX Alpha 1]

Re: URGENT: water in engine bay

Unless you have a bad engine gasket like on the oil pan or main seal or something else, there should be no way for water to get into the engine. You would probably would have had oil leaking out from a bad gasket if that was the case. People with Jeeps go in some deep water they sell exhaust kits to keep it out of water for this reason. Take it out and have fun.

 

[chrisg00]

Re: URGENT: water in engine bay

only cost you about $10 and about 1/2 hour of your time to remove the drive to inspect bellows for water. If water got in there and you don't dry out the u-joints, lubricate them, and the gimbal bearing, you'll be looking at a lot more money in repairs. It's your boat, your call. Personally, I'd just remove it quickly and check.

 

[Camo Joe]

Re: URGENT: water in engine bay

update!

We just filled it back with good new Castrol 10w 30 oil and a new filter. We ran it on muffs for 30 minutes or so and checked the oil. It looks good and no signs of water. Do you think we are in the clear? No starter issues, electrical or engine knocks.

You are in the clear...............have fun...............make sure the new oil filter is sealed with no leaks........................Let us know how fast it goes................