I have a 2000 Volvo Penta 4.3 Liter PEFS stern drive.
I over heated the engine during the first run this spring (May). The supply hose to the thermostat housing came off. The couplings between the risers and the exhaust pipes melted a bit but the engine alarm never went off. I waited five minutes or so, re-installed the hose and re-started the engine. It has been running fine ever since. Of course, the rubber couplings were replaced.
In June, I reset the idle mixture using a vacuum gauge and frankly it has never idled better. I check the oil and it was fine but over the max fill line a bit.
After about 10~20 hours of operation this summer, the engine alarm went off (low and very feebly). I eventual found that disconnecting the oil sensor wire silenced the alarm. I then checked the oil level and found cappuccino colored oil on the dip stick. Opening the fill port on the rocker box showed whipped egg whites inside.
I then did four back to back oil changes to clear out what I hoped was "foamed oil" due to excess oil level. see attached picture. Between each oil change I ran the engine for five or ten minutes to try to mix the foam into the oil to flush it out.
As the picture shows there has been no real change. The engine idles just fine (better than in years). I am afraid that the block cracked and is leaking water into the oil pan.
Before I pay a mechanic, who will very likely change the block, is there anything else I should try? Or should I just move on with it and get it torn down?
I over heated the engine during the first run this spring (May). The supply hose to the thermostat housing came off. The couplings between the risers and the exhaust pipes melted a bit but the engine alarm never went off. I waited five minutes or so, re-installed the hose and re-started the engine. It has been running fine ever since. Of course, the rubber couplings were replaced.
In June, I reset the idle mixture using a vacuum gauge and frankly it has never idled better. I check the oil and it was fine but over the max fill line a bit.
After about 10~20 hours of operation this summer, the engine alarm went off (low and very feebly). I eventual found that disconnecting the oil sensor wire silenced the alarm. I then checked the oil level and found cappuccino colored oil on the dip stick. Opening the fill port on the rocker box showed whipped egg whites inside.
I then did four back to back oil changes to clear out what I hoped was "foamed oil" due to excess oil level. see attached picture. Between each oil change I ran the engine for five or ten minutes to try to mix the foam into the oil to flush it out.
As the picture shows there has been no real change. The engine idles just fine (better than in years). I am afraid that the block cracked and is leaking water into the oil pan.
Before I pay a mechanic, who will very likely change the block, is there anything else I should try? Or should I just move on with it and get it torn down?
