Water in Engine

Hauswork

Recruit
Joined
Jul 29, 2020
Messages
1
Hi Guys, first time posting. I have a 4.3L I/O Mercrusier in a Fourwinns 21’ bow rider. I live in Ontario, Canada and have had the boat in the water for 6 weeks. It’s been running great. I had the block rebuilt two seasons ago, only about 25 hrs on it and I don’t drive it hard. Last week I was out on the water and was cruising about 25kph and slowed down and did a sharp U-turn and stopped. I sat for awhile and noticed oily discharge coming from the sump pump. Opened the “hood” and saw oil milkshake all over the top of the motor. It was coming out of the vent tubes of the valve covers. Took it back to the dock (5 min) and ext day took to launch, (5 min). I drained the block and about a gallon of water came out. I tested the cooling system by removing the pipe to the power steering and plugged it, removed the pipes to the exhaust manifolds and plugged one and pumped air into the other. Heard water gurgle and some air coming from valve cover vent tube.
question 1) is it 100% a cracked block? Or could the water have gotten in through my flapper when I banked and stopped.
question 2) if it is a cracked block, how could I have possibly cracked it??
 

Chris1956

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Mar 25, 2004
Messages
28,559
How old are manifolds and risers? Do you boat in saltwater?

Manifolds could be cracked or rusted thru. Gasket between manifold and risers can be bad. Risers could be rusted thru.

Or block could be cracked.

Pull off the risers and inspect gasket surfaces for leaks. Check for rust holes in back of risers.

Pull the manifolds and inspect for cracks and leaks into exhaust passage.
 
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