82' 140 mercruiser sat 2 years, water in oil, any hope?

[lilboatsman]

1982 Mercruiser 140. Ok, so this guy moved up to Wisconsin from southern Indiana where all he usually did was "pull the freeze plugs and fog." Two years ago he did that up here and the boat has sat ever since. I'm looking at it for him and the engine isn't locked up, so I thought there may be hope.

Then I drained the oil....and lost hope. More water in the oil pan than oil. I figured that if the block cracked, that it would have seized months ago. Is there hope? Or should I not even bother trying to run the motor again with new oil?

I haven't looked at a block diagram in a while, but I can't see how water could get down into the oil pan while it sat without the block being cracked. Unless it was the exhaust manifold that cracked, but then wouldn't the block be seized from water getting into the cylinders?

 

[cedarjunki]

Re: 82' 140 mercruiser sat 2 years, water in oil, any hope?

1982 Mercruiser 140. Ok, so this guy moved up to Wisconsin from southern Indiana where all he usually did was "pull the freeze plugs and fog." Two years ago he did that up here and the boat has sat ever since. I'm looking at it for him and the engine isn't locked up, so I thought there may be hope.

do you mean he pulled the drain plugs?? i really doubt anyone pops out the core plugs each year.

its always worth an oil change to see! otherwise your throwing away alot of money!

bought a boat that sat a few years and aquired alot of condensation inside. changed the oil and no problems.....

but then when i bought my first one the engine was set up, with no sign of water in the oil until after i got is free and started it. found a crack in the head.

but either way you never know until you try.

 

[msargius]

Re: 82' 140 mercruiser sat 2 years, water in oil, any hope?

I had a similar problem. I bought a boat that was sitting for two years, and water in oil. I had a closed cooling system. I discovered that the anifold had a huge hole from rusting out, pouring the water into the engine through the exhaust ports. Check your manifold. Good Luck.

 

[lilboatsman]

Re: 82' 140 mercruiser sat 2 years, water in oil, any hope?

do you mean he pulled the drain plugs?? i really doubt anyone pops out the core plugs each year.

its always worth an oil change to see! otherwise your throwing away alot of money!

Yea, I meant drain plugs. One thing I'm wondering is if the problem really is just in the exhaust manifold, could I make things worse by running it? If there isn't water in the cylinders now, there probably would be then, and I would have a whole new problem to deal with.

 

[JustJason]

Re: 82' 140 mercruiser sat 2 years, water in oil, any hope?

I wouldn't put any more time into that boat. In the off chance you got it running and found the source of the water intrusion the engines not going to last nor be reliable.

 

[Utahboatnut]

Re: 82' 140 mercruiser sat 2 years, water in oil, any hope?

I would be real concerned with the internal rust factor, if the lower end bearings had water sitting in, on, arounde them they are junk as well as the crank or parts of it. It may very well start and run but as said it will not be reliable, as every time out could be "the time" good luck I would at least yank the engine and drop the pan to have a look see.

 

[lilboatsman]

Re: 82' 140 mercruiser sat 2 years, water in oil, any hope?

I would be real concerned with the internal rust factor, if the lower end bearings had water sitting in, on, arounde them they are junk as well as the crank or parts of it. It may very well start and run but as said it will not be reliable, as every time out could be "the time" good luck I would at least yank the engine and drop the pan to have a look see.

True, and if I'm going pull the motor at all, I might as well put something else back in it's place. Another used motor most likely for this boat.

Thanks for the help y'all.

 

[cedarjunki]

Re: 82' 140 mercruiser sat 2 years, water in oil, any hope?

One thing I'm wondering is if the problem really is just in the exhaust manifold, could I make things worse by running it? If there isn't water in the cylinders now, there probably would be then, and I would have a whole new problem to deal with.

if your concerned about trying and finding it is a simple manifold issue, then just test it or have it tested at a machine shop. if the manifold turns out bad from actually running it, yes you will end up with water in the oil. which would only require draining and changing the oil a couple times.....

Another used motor most likely for this boat.

think of it this way........even if you find only a 10 year old used motor, who says it never had water in the oil from neglectice winterizing or even a manifold or riser going bad when it was in use? or even if the head gasket went..... spending all that money on another used motor, your taking the same gamble as you would be using the one you have. which isnt that much of a gamble* in the first place. but if you have money to blow i guess its an option.

im running a 41 year old engine in mine! i garuntee its seen more than its fair share of water in the base! still runs beautiful! no noises, rattles, or knocking.

the same with my fathers 40 year old engine, i know that one has seen water in the base many times just from parts wearing out from there age. head gasket/manifold/riser.