Volvo Penta 3.0 GS PEFS- Head Gasket

[iswassi]

Hello, I have a 1999 Regal with a volvo penta 3.0L GS PEFS inboard motor and have been having problems with water mixing with the oil. I've done a compression test on all cylinders and all are in good range, so that's not the issue. What I'm thinking is it may be the head gasket? A buddy of mine told me it could just be condensation left over and that I would need to change out the oil several times and run it several times before I get all the water out of it. The boat has just been sitting for two summers before I noticed this problem. I plan on changing out the oil and running the engine for ten minutes and then checking the oil level to see if there is a higher level. If it proves to be higher then is it my head gasket or could it be a cracked head? Any help would be appreciated. Thanks!

 

[Don S]

Re: Volvo Penta 3.0 GS PEFS- Head Gasket

How much water are we talking about here?
Everybody hopes a lot of water in the oil is caused by a head gasket, but it seldom is, plus, a compression test wouldn't reveal the problem anyway. A leaky head gasket would cause exhaust to enter the cooling system, not water to oil.
The problem with a lot of water in the oil, you probably have a cracked block, not a cracked head. Boats without proper winterization usually end up with cracked blocks. Just read throught the last dozen pages of this forum.
LOTS of people with the same problem you have.

 

[iswassi]

Re: Volvo Penta 3.0 GS PEFS- Head Gasket

Thanks for the quick reply. I will find out how much water I am dealing with tomorrow and post my findings.

 

[iswassi]

Re: Volvo Penta 3.0 GS PEFS- Head Gasket

So I ran the engine today and changed the oil three times with a new oil filter each time. I found that after each time changing the oil I went from a chocolate milk color to a solid milk color. When draining the oil I had the same amount of oil come out that i put in. So I think I am still getting water in the oil not alot but I believe it isn't just condensation from the boat sitting. So I am kinda stuck with what i need to do next. Should I pull the head and look for a blown gasket? Could it be something else? What is a good test to run to see if its a blown head gasket versus a cracked block?

 

[borz170]

Re: Volvo Penta 3.0 GS PEFS- Head Gasket

Where was this boat ran, salt or fresh water? If it was ran in salt water and not properly flushed after each usage, it could have corroded the manifold, causing holes in the water jackets. This would cause water to enter the oil pan, and fast. This happened to a boat I was working on a few years ago. I could have sworn that it was a head gasket.

 

[iswassi]

Re: Volvo Penta 3.0 GS PEFS- Head Gasket

The boat has only been run in fresh water. I ran the boat with the muffs for 30 minutes the first time 20 minutes the second time and another 30 minutes the third time. Each time between I changed the oil and put a new oil filter on it. I know i like to throw away money but I was hoping it was just condensation that built up. Do you think its the head?

 

[P 0 P E Y E]

Re: Volvo Penta 3.0 GS PEFS- Head Gasket

Most often it is exhaust manifold or mixing elbow.

Check your spark plugs for signs of rust first.

Do not jump to conclusions before performing tests.

The boat is on a trailer, any chance you have the bow low and the water is backing up in the exhaust?

Did you winterize the raw water system?

 

[iswassi]

Re: Volvo Penta 3.0 GS PEFS- Head Gasket

Just a little update. I have pulled the head and the gasket looks fine. I had a mechanic look over the head and the block and he could not see any visible cracks. I winterized the boat but it has sat still for two seasons going on three. how could the exhaust manifold cause water to get into the engine if I have good compression on all 4 cylinders?

 

[iswassi]

Re: Volvo Penta 3.0 GS PEFS- Head Gasket

Quick update. Took the head to a machine shop and they found that the head was warped near the water return to the engine block and no cracks. I installed the head after the machine shop shaved it flat with all new gaskets. Took the boat out Friday and Saturday with no issues. No water in the oil. Just waiting to see whats next LOL.