3.0 liter Merc. water in my oil... cracked manifold?

[dlyman]

I may have listed this topic in the wrong forum before... Hello and thank you for the help in advance... Long story... I just bought a boat off ebay. A 1993 Bayliner Capri 18 ft. with the 3.0 liter Merc. in board. When I picked it up it was stored in a garage and the guy said it was heated. I asked if he had drained the block and he looked puzzeled and said he didn't know where the drain plug was. He said he always kept it in the heated garage for the winters. I know red flags but anyway I found the drain plug for the block and I pulled it and it drained clean water out. The oil looked good and it fired right up. I wasn't aware that there would be several other drains for the manifolds etc. I got the boat home to Montana and it was about 20 below at the time. I have no manual for the boat or the motor. <br /><br />To make a long story longer, It warmed up this past week so I took it out on the water for the first time. Checked the oil put the block plug back in and started it up and began to idle it around. I checked the engine and there was water coming out from under the manifold and it either looks like comming from the manifold or around the head gasket area and running down the outside of the block. I checked the oil and it was starting to get creamy (oil in the water look). I figured there was probably a plug that I didn't get out of the manifold to drain the water out. my question is...would water in the manifold crack the manifold and the head or the gasket... the motor runs very good although I didn't run it very long would a cracked manifold allow water in the oil? am very new to this boat so anyone that could tell me where all the drain plugs are would be great... I am ordering a manual Monday. thanks again<br /><br />--------------------<br />Boating is good

 

[Don S]

Re: 3.0 liter Merc. water in my oil... cracked manifold?

Yea, you probably broke the manifold. If there was water in the block because of a plugged drain hole (rust, dirt, you name it) then the block could be cracked also.<br />Not knowing what your mechanical skills are it's hard to even explain what problems you could have.<br />Here is a link to the online Merc OEM service manual for your engine. Don't even think about the Seloc or Clymers manuals, they are a waste of money.<br /><br /> http://www.boatfix.com/merc/Servmanl/13/13covr2.pdf <br /><br />Just run your cursor over the red box that says "Marine Engines GM 4Cyl" and then the links on the index page to get to the different sections.

 

[dlyman]

Re: 3.0 liter Merc. water in my oil... cracked manifold?

Thanks so much Don for the reply and the link I did have the one and only block plug out so I am pretty sure that the bottom end was empty. I didn't know about the manifold though. If it wasn't drained which now I know wasn't is the anyway that the water would have been in my head as well... I have built many motors in my day and have always wrenched on everything I own so a head fix doesn't scare me much... anymore help would be helpful and thanks again...

 

[dlyman]

Re: 3.0 liter Merc. water in my oil... cracked manifold?

Thanks so much Don for the reply and the link I did have the one and only block plug out so I am pretty sure that the bottom end was empty. I didn't know about the manifold though. If it wasn't drained which now I know wasn't is there anyway that the water would have been in my head as well... I have built many motors in my day and have always wrenched on everything I own so a head fix doesn't scare me much... anymore help would be helpful and thanks again...

 

[dlyman]

Re: 3.0 liter Merc. water in my oil... cracked manifold?

and also what approx. price ball park am I looking at for the manifold (parts only) and what should I look out for... thanks so much

 

[Don S]

Re: 3.0 liter Merc. water in my oil... cracked manifold?

Here is a site you can get prices from.<br /><br /> http://dougrussell.com/partscatalog/collections/index.cfm?fuseaction=collectdetails&colid=04 <br /><br />Regarding what to lookout for....... "It's a Boat" lookout for everything.

 

[dlyman]

Re: 3.0 liter Merc. water in my oil... cracked manifold?

With a cracked manifold , how does it let water in the oil? down through the valves? Or is there an oil passage that is in the manifold itself? It seems to run fine and doesn't miss or smoke, white or otherwise...I guess I don't really know the construction of the manifold itself... thanks again

 

[Bondo]

Re: 3.0 liter Merc. water in my oil... cracked manifold?

If you're Gaining Water as the motor is Running,..........<br /><br />I'd think it's the Block that's Cracked......<br /><br />No,...... The Manifold has No Direct route to the Oil Pan.......<br /><br />Cracked,+ Leaking Manifolds, Usually dump water into the Cylinders,+ it has to Seep Passed the Rings to get to the Base........<br /><br />From My Experinces,......<br />You've got a Cracked Block,...... Probably on the Inside Wall,.... Just opposite from the Block water Drain..............

 

[Don S]

Re: 3.0 liter Merc. water in my oil... cracked manifold?

If the water is actually getting into the oil through due to a cracked manifold, the water would go into the exhaust ports and into the cylinders through an open valve. From there it leaks past the rings into the oil.<br />If I was you, I would isolate the manifold from the engine cooling system and pressure check the block to make sure it isn't cracked. No need to buy a new manifold for a defective block

 

[dlyman]

Re: 3.0 liter Merc. water in my oil... cracked manifold?

Thanks guys for the help... I will take the manifold off and take a look. One last question is there water left in the top of the head if the block was drained and the manifold wasn't? Also I'm pretty sure the manifold is cracked because of all the water comming out of the bottom of it. I can't see it yet but there is a pretty good stream comming out of underneath the manifold about where the head and the manifold meet because it runs down the outside of the block. It doesn't smoke white or other wise. thanks guys so much for all the help.

 

[Don S]

Re: 3.0 liter Merc. water in my oil... cracked manifold?

One last question is there water left in the top of the head if the block was drained and the manifold wasn't?

IT should drain the head when the block is drained, BUT!!!! if that drain plug was blocked with mud,rust,sand, or what ever and didn't allow the block to drain completly you could end up with a cracked block. <br />Water that gets into the crankcase through the manifold would be sitting on the piston. This could also cause a hydrolock when cranking, and probably foul the spark plug and the engine wouldn't run very good.<br />Like I mentioned earlier, pressure check the block. If there is a crack, you may be able to hear where it's leaking.

 

[dlyman]

Re: 3.0 liter Merc. water in my oil... cracked manifold?

I drained the block personally when I picked it up in the shop and it was clear there was a quit a bit of water came out and I did make sure the passage was clean I just didn't know about the manifold nor did the guy I bought it from he always stored it in a heated garage during the winter... I will preasure test the block when I pull the manifold... is there anything I should know about buying a new manifold other then getting the same one?... thanks so much and I will get out your hair... you have been so helpful

 

[troutlet]

Re: 3.0 liter Merc. water in my oil... cracked manifold?

Originally posted by Don S:<br />If I was you, I would isolate the manifold from the engine cooling system and pressure check the block to make sure it isn't cracked.

Can you help me with the procedure to do this?

 

[Don S]

Re: 3.0 liter Merc. water in my oil... cracked manifold?

Sure, but start your own tread (Don't hijack someone elses thread with your problem) and include what engine, year, model, and if raw water cooled or closed cooling system.

 

[troutlet]

Re: 3.0 liter Merc. water in my oil... cracked manifold?

Originally posted by Don S:<br /> Sure, but start your own tread (Don't hijack someone elses thread with your problem) and include what engine, year, model, and if raw water cooled or closed cooling system.

Ouch! I had considered doing that but decided that it applied directly to this discussion. I hope to see you on the next thread.