water around spark plugs

ChrisO

Cadet
Joined
Mar 13, 2006
Messages
7
on both cylinders on my 1979 40 hp mercury i have noticed some water leaking from where the spark plug holes are, it isn't alot but enough to make me wonder what it could be
 

Clams Canino

Commander
Joined
Jan 10, 2004
Messages
2,179
Re: water around spark plugs

Common leak around that water jacket cover. <br /><br />No, it's not a cylinder head, and the leak is non-critical. You can TRY to replace the gasket, but those bolts often break leading to a bigger issue. Best to dry it REAL well and try to stop / slow it from the outside with sealant.<br /><br />-W
 

andy6374

Lieutenant Commander
Joined
Aug 4, 2005
Messages
1,617
Re: water around spark plugs

On the issue of breaking bolts. My friend has worked at Marina/Tech shop for about a year now and he is finally learning how to be a decent mechanic (i.e. he can diagnose instead of throwing parts an engine until it works). Anyways, he told me that bolts will never break off on the initial torque. He said him and other wrenches put big breaker bars and just pull on bolts until the come loose and that the never break (saltwater engines mind you). He said the only time they break is when you are backing them out with a ratchet and socket, after the initally loosening.<br /><br />I find this really hard to believe, what do you guys think? If it is true it would be nice, because once you break the "seal" a bit then it might be easier to heat the shank of the bolt.
 
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