water in cylinder

[gdead3@aol.com]

I have recently purchased a sailboat ('79) with an OMC sail drive (15hp). Initially, the boat started and idled fine. I shut off and then the problems began. The starter was not able to crank the flywheel. I took out the plugs to see if this was electrical or mechanical. The motor cranked fine with the exception of shooting water out of the bottom cylinder. Judging by the distance it shot water, i would guess the compression is good, but the fact that water is in the cylinder is rather troubling. How would it get in? And what would be the remedies for those causes? Any help would be most appreciated.

 

[wvit100]

Re: water in cylinder

Head gasket is blown out. Take off the head and see what you can see.

 

[gdead3@aol.com]

Re: water in cylinder

wvit, would that require pulling the entire motor, or is the head gasket accessible without doing that? I don't have a manual yet.<br /><br />Thanks a ton

 

[wvit100]

Re: water in cylinder

I've never seen that motor. Is it a small outboard type engine? Does it have manifolds and risers, if it does it could be the risers or manifolds have started leaking and are letting water get back into the motor through the exhaust valves.

 

[Dhadley]

Re: water in cylinder

Its based off of the 35 hp outboard. The exhaust manifold is different than the outboard and I'm pretty sure its no longer available. Lets hope its the head gasket.<br /><br />Good luck!

 

[gdead3@aol.com]

Re: water in cylinder

wvit, imagine a fixed outboard with a giant flange between the powerhead and the drive shaft. Now you have the Sail Drive. The boat has a rudder, so there is no need for the drive portion of the system to turn. This may be classified as an inboard, but you could argue pretty effectively that it is an i/o as well. Took the heads off last night. Looking for gaskets today and still hoping against a block problem. If the gaskets don't do the trick, would there be any other way to get water in the cylinder other that the block?

 

[gdead3@aol.com]

Re: water in cylinder

OK, replaced both head gaskets. Motor started and idled, shut off and then would not re-start. Removed spark plug and had water in the cylinder again. No cracks were found in cylinder. Could i have some sort of blockage in the exhaust system that would retain enough backpressure to "flood" the cylinder with water once the motor is shut off? help help help

 

[Dhadley]

Re: water in cylinder

BOTH head gaskets????

 

[Trent]

Re: water in cylinder

This is just a thought. I do not claim to be an expert on saildrives at all. But look at your setup and make sure its installed correctly.<br /><br />

 

[gdead3@aol.com]

Re: water in cylinder

I guess i mean i replaced a water jacket gasket and a head gasket. The muffler is mounted correctly. I took off the muffler and started the motor to see if there was a blockage, i got it to start, but not for long. Water in the cylinder again. I did have water and exhaust discharge, but i expected more and for the motor to be much louder. Any ideas?

 

[flashback]

Re: water in cylinder

you didn't mention the size of your sailboat, but if it is less than 30 ft long, I would take the boat out of the water, rip the sail drive out and throw it in the nearest dumpster, glass up the hole in the bottom and buy a good 10 hp outboard and hang it on the back.. just my opinion

 

[flashback]

Re: water in cylinder

by the way, Trent, thats a beautiful drawing.