After backflushing my '06 Merc 4.3L V6 262 CID Alpha1/Gen2 for impeller debris, I am having problem starting the engine, and discovered water in 2 spark plugs, specifically the middle ones (#3 & 4) on both sides. The engine is a raw water, open cooling system. If I'm not mistaken, the manifolds are dry-joint style, please correct me if I'm wrong.. I'll explain the backflushing procedure, and then the no-crank, water in the plugs situation.
For backflushing, a helper and I, began by disconnecting all the hoses, opened the 5 draining plugs, and proceded to backflush the system via the cooling hoses, exhaust manifold, exhaust elbow and power steering cooler. We also cleaned and rinsed the thermostat housing and installed a new t-stat kit. The exhaust collectors system was also opened and blackflushed, and the water shutters inspected for condition and proper operation. I had a helper there with me and he told me he inadvertely put the water hose inside the hole that houses the thermostat in the engine block, (located on top of the engine, where water comes out of the block from the water pump and into the t-stat housing), and I feel this could be the reason for the engine's not starting condition.
Another situation that developed while backflushing, (and could possibly be also the culprit), was that while all the water was draining down from the hoses and open exhaust elbows, my bilge drain hole got clogged (maybe for 4-5 minutes), without either one of us realizing it, and water accumulated quite fast in the bilge, perhaps as high as 8-10 inches, however, I'm not sure if it got as high as the oil pan. I had previously disconnected the battery and the bilge pump didn't have a chance to do its job.
So now I have a situation of water in the spark plugs and a engine that doesn't want to crank. I removed all the spark plugs and cleaned and dried as best as I could the plugs' holes, and squirted engine oil into the plugs' holes without starting it, since I'm not sure as how to proceed. I checked the engine oil (through the dipstick), and didn't see a trace of water. I don't think I have a cracked manifold or engine block to water get into the engine, the problem developed only after what I consider a terrible backflushing job.
Could water poured into the engine's thermostat hole get to the pistons, perhaps via the carburator? Could too much water in the bilge cause to have water into the spark plugs? What do you suggest should be my next steps?
For backflushing, a helper and I, began by disconnecting all the hoses, opened the 5 draining plugs, and proceded to backflush the system via the cooling hoses, exhaust manifold, exhaust elbow and power steering cooler. We also cleaned and rinsed the thermostat housing and installed a new t-stat kit. The exhaust collectors system was also opened and blackflushed, and the water shutters inspected for condition and proper operation. I had a helper there with me and he told me he inadvertely put the water hose inside the hole that houses the thermostat in the engine block, (located on top of the engine, where water comes out of the block from the water pump and into the t-stat housing), and I feel this could be the reason for the engine's not starting condition.
Another situation that developed while backflushing, (and could possibly be also the culprit), was that while all the water was draining down from the hoses and open exhaust elbows, my bilge drain hole got clogged (maybe for 4-5 minutes), without either one of us realizing it, and water accumulated quite fast in the bilge, perhaps as high as 8-10 inches, however, I'm not sure if it got as high as the oil pan. I had previously disconnected the battery and the bilge pump didn't have a chance to do its job.
So now I have a situation of water in the spark plugs and a engine that doesn't want to crank. I removed all the spark plugs and cleaned and dried as best as I could the plugs' holes, and squirted engine oil into the plugs' holes without starting it, since I'm not sure as how to proceed. I checked the engine oil (through the dipstick), and didn't see a trace of water. I don't think I have a cracked manifold or engine block to water get into the engine, the problem developed only after what I consider a terrible backflushing job.
Could water poured into the engine's thermostat hole get to the pistons, perhaps via the carburator? Could too much water in the bilge cause to have water into the spark plugs? What do you suggest should be my next steps?
this guy is coming on here looking for help and now calling us dingdongs.