My engine is a reman 1998 vortec 4.3. When and who did the reman, I don't know. The engine now has 4 hours on it since the last service, when the oil was changed and the thermostat replaced. The thermostat was replaced because of the service interval, not because of problems. I had the boat out 4 times for about an hour each time, checking the oil before and flushing the engine after each trip. The oil looked like brown honey and was on the full mark each time I checked it. The last time out I saw that the temp guage was moving rather fast between 75 degrees (the water temp that day) and 180 degrees at full throtle. I then slowed down and headed for the dock watching the temp the entire time. I saw the needle continue to climb past 180 degrees and shut the key off just before 220 degrees. The marine shop replaced the bad thermostat free of charge and informed me that I have water in the oil pan. I let them know that I made a fast de-accelleration and that the engine dieseled for about a minute. The shop is telling me that the water was not on the piston but in the pan. They would like to pull the heads, check the head gaskets and check for cracks. This seems to be my only option at this point. My questions are: Could a 220 degree temp cause cracks or head gasket problems? If so, should the shop take some responsibility for the mishap? When we made the fast de-acceleration and the engine dieseled, if water reached the piston could it have gotten past the rings and into the oil pan? The shop said that this is very unlikely unless the compression was very poor, which it was not when it was serviced 4 hours ago. If so, I dont want to upset the mechanic by telling him that I think he is wrong, they are the best shop in town. Please help!! Any information would be greatly appreciated.
