3.0 LX Water in oil

[olddogmike]

Checked the oil in my mercruiser 3.0 LX and found it to be the color of creamed coffee. Engine runs just fine, no increase in temp. Oil press. normal. No prior trouble. Did notice slight oil sheen on water around boat after I had pumped out the contaminated oil and refilled it with clean and started the engine and ran it at idle speed for about 10 min.. I have never changed out the exhaust manifold or riser elbow on this engine. The boatis run in slightly brackish water. Question is; do I run the boat and see if this re-occurs or should I replace the exhaust riser and manifold? Thanks for any input you send my way.

 

[akriverrat]

Re: 3.0 LX Water in oil

how old is it??

 

[olddogmike]

Re: 3.0 LX Water in oil

The engne is a 1996, I bought the boat last year and was told that it had low hours on it. The engine looked like new.

 

[anesthes]

Re: 3.0 LX Water in oil

i'd run it for a while and check the oil again.. <br /><br />If my race car sits all winter, in the spring the oil will have water in it. Especially if I start it up once and a while for like 2 seconds just to pull it out of a bay, and not let it warm up.<br /><br />-- Joe

 

[akriverrat]

Re: 3.0 LX Water in oil

if it happens again the manifolds/risers are likely suspect. but may take more than one oil change befor all water is gone.

 

[mvaughn]

Re: 3.0 LX Water in oil

I agree, I would run it some more, keep a close eye on it though!

 

[olddogmike]

Re: 3.0 LX Water in oil

Thanks for the feedback. I have already run two changes of oil and filters through the engine. I used 15w40 oil for the changes and ran the engine for about 15 min. between changes. I am going to pump this last batch out and refill with Mercruiser 25W40 and then test run out into the river. Looked at several web sites for exhaust manifold and riser and the best seems to be a place called ...aftermarket.com if anyone has had experience in dealing with them please let me know how you were treated and if you were pleased with the product and service. Thanks to all and if anyone else has input please post.

 

[sea wolf]

Re: 3.0 LX Water in oil

before u spring for new manifolds/risers why not have them pressure tested first? also check out ebasicpower.com for new ones if needed. reasonable prices & free shipping. got mine in 3 days.

 

[akriverrat]

Re: 3.0 LX Water in oil

if you're running in salt or brackish water 7 years is old and condition will be evident when you take them apart.if they look bad inside why waste money on pressure test? a leak to the inside ruins your engine. to the outside can sink your boat.

 

[olddogmike]

Re: 3.0 LX Water in oil

The more input I get the more that I am leaning toward just going ahead and replacing the exhaust manifold and riser and running it out. We have had a lot of rain here for the last month, but my bildge is always pretty dry. And since this occured after I had taken the boat out for about 4 hours I am becoming more convinced that the water got in through the manifold. Thanks for all the input.