Can't believe it - water in oil - pcm GT-40

[bowler]

Well,

I left my 'new' boat into the shop due to a clatter in the tranny at low revs. The tech calles me today to tell me that there is water in the engine oil. He dipped the oil and it seemed a little high so he pulled the filter. Said it's full of emulsified oil. Looks like a crack in one of the above. I am gutted.

When I bought the boat I did water test it. Oil pressure was good, temp good, dipped the oil and it was nice and clean. PO said he had done an oil change but not done the filter.

The confusing thing is that we have not had severe frost here since 2010 so does this mean the PO has been running the boat last season with a crack in the block? I can't believe for one second that he would have sold me this expensive (for me anyway) boat knowing it had this major issue. If so he let me get a ferry and drive 400 miles to collect it, then have lunch and a cup of tea with me before parting company. He even said he'd give me a shout next time he's in Ireland and come for a board and I've spoke to him on the phone a couple of times to chat about various bits and pieces!

I'm insured for frost damage but it has happened when the boat was not owned by me so that's out the window. I know he was insured by the same company prior to selling but I doubt that would make any difference.

As stated above, I am gutted. I had myself geared up to hear that the coupling needed realignment or something nice and simple. Worst case scanario, a new tranny! Little did I know.

I can only pray that it's the intake manifold. If it's not what are my options??? I know it's going to cost no matter what. What are the chances of finding a replacement gt-40? Slim to none i bet.

My last words to my friend before towing it up to the garage last weekend were 'at least the engine is running well'! The irony...

D.

 

[bowler]

Re: Can't believe it - water in oil - pcm GT-40

For anyone who's watching

Still no word from the tech - back log of work it seems. Did speak to the PO though. I asked if he had run the boat at all after winterising. He said he ran if for twenty minutes the week before it was sold. I think I remember him telling me that on the phone around the time of selling. What are the chances of a boat being freeze damaged and it not showing up the first time out? We didn't even have any major cold weather in the UK this year. I need put out of my misery ASAP. The boat is getting fixed either way but this waiting is killing me. The boat did sit on a trailer with the bung in for about a week with fairly heavy rain - it had a cover on but i later found out it has no water repelling properties at all. I guess it's wishful thinking to hope that was the cause.

A long bank holiday weekend ahead...

D.

 

[bowler]

Re: Can't believe it - water in oil - pcm GT-40

Well,

The tech had a look today and when he pulled the intake manifold it was full of milky oil. He also said that the bolts seemed a little looser than he would expect. He reckons when he cleans it up tomorrow morning he'll find a crack. When I asked about the block he said he's confident it's ok although I know this is only a visual inspection. I don't want to get my hopes up too much but I'm hoping that this is a dodged bullet and its either down to a loose or cracked mani. I guess it's so far so good although I wont be happy until I'm several outings down the line if you know what I mean.

This process has made me completely rethink my 'self winterisation' game plan that I've been using for the last few years. I think I've aged about 5 years in one week.

Fingers crossed.

D.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Can't believe it - water in oil - pcm GT-40

Well,

The tech had a look today and when he pulled the intake manifold it was full of milky oil. He also said that the bolts seemed a little looser than he would expect. He reckons when he cleans it up tomorrow morning he'll find a crack. When I asked about the block he said he's confident it's ok although I know this is only a visual inspection. I don't want to get my hopes up too much but I'm hoping that this is a dodged bullet and its either down to a loose or cracked mani. I guess it's so far so good although I wont be happy until I'm several outings down the line if you know what I mean.

This process has made me completely rethink my 'self winterisation' game plan that I've been using for the last few years. I think I've aged about 5 years in one week.

Fingers crossed.

D.

Ayuh,.... Sorry to hear yer plight,.... I'm guessin' ya used the Antifreeze method,..??

I prefer the Drained, Dry method,... Air, Just Don't Freeze.....

Good luck with it,...

 

[bowler]

Re: Can't believe it - water in oil - pcm GT-40

Hi Bondo,

I've been using the draining method as recommened by your good self a couple of years ago when I joined! This is a new(er) boat I bought a few weeks back.

The stress of a potential cracked block has made me think about letting someone else own that problem if it happened for real (touch wood) down the line but maybe it's the stress talking!

D.

 

[bowler]

Re: Can't believe it - water in oil - pcm GT-40

The tech just called.

Seems my celebrations were too early - the block is cracked. I've just bought someone elses mistake. I am gutted beyond belief. I thought I did every thing right. The cracks are so fine that he had trouble locating them again, even with a blow torch but he's sure they are there. Intake manifoild checked out ok as well with no cracks.

I had some money available for little bits and pieces but a new engine was not one of them.

If I could rewind 6 weeks...

 

[bowler]

Re: Can't believe it - water in oil - pcm GT-40

Bond-o,

If you're still around. If my heads are ok will a standard ford 351w short block work?

D.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Can't believe it - water in oil - pcm GT-40

Bond-o,

If you're still around. If my heads are ok will a standard ford 351w short block work?

D.

Ayuh,....So long as the reman has other than a Steel head gasket, 'n has brass core plugs, 'n is cammed for a truck or boat,...

Ya,... It'll work Perfectly...

Composite head gaskets, brass core plugs, 'n a cam for idle to 4800 rpms...

If I could rewind 6 weeks...

Ayuh,... If I could rewind 40 Years, 'n know what I know today,..??......

 

[bowler]

Re: Can't believe it - water in oil - pcm GT-40

Wise words Bond-o, wise words.

I've found a remanufactured long block for a decent price but I need tocheck the block casting numbers for compatibility. I'm sure there'll be a few more questions along the way.

Cheers!

 

[Bondo]

Re: Can't believe it - water in oil - pcm GT-40

Wise words Bond-o, wise words.

I've found a remanufactured long block for a decent price but I need tocheck the block casting numbers for compatibility. I'm sure there'll be a few more questions along the way.

Cheers!

Ayuh,.... Keep Us posted,...

 

[bowler]

Re: Can't believe it - water in oil - pcm GT-40

Cheers Bond-o,

More confusion though. The tech called again on Friday. He said they can't locate the crack/cracks they saw on Thursday. The next step is pulling the engine out to remove the manifolds as the bolts are siezed solid. This will allow them to get the heads off to inspect. I'm assuming at this stage with the engine out they'll be able to pressure test the block and confirm the cracks that they can no longer locate are actually there? I was getting the impression from the call that they aren't sure that the cracks mentioned earlier are actually there?

As a process for diagnosis does this sound right? I'm kind of at their mercy here. What I do know is that the labour bill is creeping up slowly but surely and I feel I'm no further forward.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Can't believe it - water in oil - pcm GT-40

Ayuh,.... Have 'em do a pressure test, Before they pull the heads,...

It's Too late for that, after the heads are off...

 

[bowler]

Re: Can't believe it - water in oil - pcm GT-40

Ok, update time. Things have been slow.

The engine came out a couple of weeks ago. Tech wanted to remove heads but couldn't get exhaust manis off due to seized bolts. Eventally got them burned off and the heads came off. Had planned to send them off for pressure testing this week.

Today the tech calls me. They doused the block with penetrating dye over the weekend and some hairline cracks have started to show so it looks like a new block for me after all. Going to shout the seller with the good news and see what he says. I could do with some financial assistance on this one! The tech is recommending I change the intake manifolds while I'm there and the heads. Not sure if I can locate a long block though. It seems at least that I have a diagnosis finally.

My new boat has been a major headache - well, it's not the boats fault i guess. I'll be back with updates I'm sure!

Virtual hugs please.

D.

 

[bowler]

Re: Can't believe it - water in oil - pcm GT-40

My heads and intake manifold have returned from the engineers with a clean bill of health. So finally, all i need to do now is get a short block. Easier said than done here in ireland - or so i'm finding out.

Any words of wisdom regarding remanufactured blocks? One guy i spoke to today has put the fear of god in me regarding poor quality remanufactures. The prices i'm getting vary greatly from about $700 - $1300 on ebay (from the states) to $4000 for long blocks already in the uk.

Anyone recommend any sources for this block in the US or UK?

D.

 

[bowler]

Re: Can't believe it - water in oil - pcm GT-40

my mechanic can get a long block 351w. this is towards the more expensive end of the scale but i'm tempted. i'm thinking that the standard heads can be removed and the gt40 heads popped on with relatively no hassle - correct or no?

also, i like the idea of him supplying all parts, that way he owns any associated problems etc. I'm scared that if i buy a block and he pops it it i'll be left paying for any issues that result if it goes bang (worst case scenario). the block is from his supplier so i assume he'll stand behind it. also, he can get this in 3 days.

i don't mind paying a bit extra at this stage for a hassle free and quick relaunch. my season is disappearing fast!

does this sound like a good idea?

d.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Can't believe it - water in oil - pcm GT-40

my mechanic can get a long block 351w. this is towards the more expensive end of the scale but i'm tempted. i'm thinking that the standard heads can be removed and the gt40 heads popped on with relatively no hassle - correct or no?

also, i like the idea of him supplying all parts, that way he owns any associated problems etc. I'm scared that if i buy a block and he pops it it i'll be left paying for any issues that result if it goes bang (worst case scenario). the block is from his supplier so i assume he'll stand behind it. also, he can get this in 3 days.

i don't mind paying a bit extra at this stage for a hassle free and quick relaunch. my season is disappearing fast!

does this sound like a good idea?

d.

Ayuh,.... I ain't real big on Fords, 'n my knowledge of 'em is quite limited...

What yer sayin' makes sense, So,... I guess it sounds like a solid plan as far as I know....

 

[bowler]

Re: Can't believe it - water in oil - pcm GT-40

cheers bond-o,

block was ordered today. lets hope it all goes smoothly!