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Conference vicki::boats

Title:	Powerboats
Notice:	Introductions 2 /Classifieds 3 / '97 Ski Season 1267
Moderator:	KWLITY::SUTER

Created:	Thu May 12 1988
Last Modified:	Wed Jun 04 1997
Last Successful Update:	Fri Jun 06 1997
Number of topics:	1275
Total number of notes:	18109

1194.0. "Water in the Oil - Coffee Milkshake in engine" by BRAT::CLARK_J () Wed Sep 07 1994 17:45

    i haven't been in notes in about 4 years so forgive me if i smoke any
    format protocol
    
    anyway, my issue . i have a 88 wellcraft with a 3.0. and i'm constantly
    getting water in my oil. the dipstick and plug look like a coffee milkshake
    was added to it . my first thought was blown headgasket
      
           a little history. i had a problem with my alternator and took it
             off to have work done on it. unfortunately i didn't think
    about water circulation and ran the boat on the battery without the
    belt hooked up. although the engine temp did seem to get hotter than
    normal it didn't seem to reach critical mass. iran the boat for about
    15 miutes at a relatively low speed as i just had an inkling that i had
    doen something wrong. anyway i replaced the alterntor and ran the boat
    the rest of last summer and it ran fine. when i winterized it i first
    discovered the milky oil. i brought it to northern lakes marina at
    newfound and at first they found nothing when they ran it at the
    marina. i took it back ran it for a day andfound the water in the oil.
    i took it back and they replaced the headgasket at a hefty price.
    
    so in order to survive the summer i changed th oil and filter about 4
    times and chanced it for the summer watching the guages. it ran great
    all summer but now i'm not sure what to think. they took the head off
    and measured it so i don't think warping is an issue. so any advice?
    cracked head or block? that is not real good. any other possibilities?
    
    appreciate any advice. can i run it indefinitely on that type of
    fluid-not likely, but i am surprised at how well it ran. anyway before
    i ask for a head replacement (don't say it) i'm open for suggestions.
    
    looks like big $ coming ay
    
    thanks
    
    Q

T.R	Title	User	Personal Name	Date	Lines
1194.1	how hots hot?	NCMAIL::GEIBELL	lost in Pennsylvania	`Thu Sep 08 1994 09:13`	32
	Q, first thing that needs to be done is find out if the marina had the head pressure checked, as far as warpage is concerned find out how they checked it. newxt thing I would suggest is find a regular car mechanic that will work on a boat, it will probably be cheaper than a marina. If you do the work yourself you will save yourself huge $$, if your not mechanically inclined I guess your at the mercy of the mechanic. Spend a little time to find a good reputable mechanic this time is basically free as apposed to takeing your problem to joe shmo who's just going to hose ya. If the head was pressure checked and wasnt warped, then unfortunatly it doesnt look good for the motor, how hot was not much more than normal? I would really worry about anything over ~200 degree's. Well anways I dont know where you are located, if your from NH or live close to NH I might be able to set you up with an exccellent mechanic that doesnt charge huge labor $$. he is really honest and very thorough. he has done work on my boat so this is a voice of on hands experience. if you wish to contact me you can call me here at dtn 252-7007. Good luck Lee
1194.2		LEEL::LINDQUIST	Pit heat is dry heat.	`Thu Sep 08 1994 11:53`	9
	What I would try: 1) Pressure test the cooling system. You can probably adapt an automotive radiator tester, or rig up something with a gauge and an air pump. 2) Do a compression test on the engine. Any chance you have a crack somewhere, from freezing?
1194.3	Critical Condition	KAHALA::SUTER	Never too Hot!	`Thu Sep 08 1994 11:55`	23
	Q, I have to second the thoughts of Lee.... It doesn't look good... The bottom line is that water is indeed in the oil and short of something silly like the oil pan is submerged in bilge water and letting water IN then there are definate engine problems. The are only limited ways for water to get into the oil. Head gaskets, heads or the engine block. 1) As Lee said... "How hot is hot?" 2) How about winterizing? Was the boat subjected to freezing temps w/o being properly winterized? (cracked block). If I had to speculate, and the head work was done properly, I'd suspect the block. What will happen running it this way? Eventually, the engine will fry the bearings and/or just seize because the lubrication isn't sufficient. Rick
1194.4	quick check..	ILBBAK::CURTIS		`Thu Sep 08 1994 15:40`	4
	Had something like this happen to a 289 Ford engine.... turned out to be the breather cap on the valve cover clogged up. Looked like you say coffee milk caused by condensation build up! Don't know what type of vent there is on your engine but check the pvc valve.
1194.5	?	GLDOA::DBOSAK	The Street Peddler	`Mon Sep 12 1994 10:59`	5
	I had a similar problem on a VOLVo -- After much work and looking, it turned out to be a shaft driven off of the engine driving the water pump was scored and water was leaking in that way -- Dennis