Water in Crankcase on a 2000-4.3-V6-Merc

[dpocta]

I am a new Boat owner.(2000 Regal-V6 -4.3 Merc)Had 2 successfull summers and engine has under 200 hrs.I ran the antifreeze thru and when I went to change the Oil and Filter I noticed the oil was thin and had a light brown color.After putting in new oil ,the dipstick had the same thin/light brown texture.Is this normal<br />for an engine to have no mechanical problems all <br />summer,oil pressure good,Temperature good,No water in the boat,then this problem with water??<br /><br />IS this a nightmare to diagnose and fix?or should I just take this to a Merc Dealer?I bought used <br />No warranty

 

[Walt T]

Re: Water in Crankcase on a 2000-4.3-V6-Merc

It could be manifolds and risers, or it could just be from the boat getting a lot of water on it from being out in the rain.<br />If that is a saltwater boat, I'd have the manifolds and risers checked. Head gasket is also a possibility, a compression test may reveal that.

 

[dpocta]

Re: Water in Crankcase on a 2000-4.3-V6-Merc

Thanks- Had it in Brackish River last outing.<br />Other than that last run, all fresh water.<br /><br />Do I need to try removing the oil / water ASAP?<br />Or will the next 2-3 days be OK.<br />I assume to remove ,I would run engine ,then drain<br />oil again.

 

[Walt T]

Re: Water in Crankcase on a 2000-4.3-V6-Merc

Drain the oil asap, and drain the engine and manifolds of water. I suggest removing the manifolds and risers and having them pressure tested. The water could also be coming from a riser / manifold gasket. A compression check wouldnt hurt.

 

[dpocta]

Re: Water in Crankcase on a 2000-4.3-V6-Merc

1st time working on I/O<br />Do I take manifolds off to drain water from engine/manifolds?Or this just to have tested.<br />Have no drain plug .pump oil out<br />Appreciate any detail on removing water from Engine and Manifolds.

 

[vinney]

Re: Water in Crankcase on a 2000-4.3-V6-Merc

Change the oil and filter. Hook up a flush and run the boat out of the water with the flush hook up. Take one of the oil filler caps off. bring the engine up to tempure. If there is steam coming out of the valve cover hole. You are ingesting water thru the exhaust Manifolds,risers, or riser gasket. If you dont see steam put the boat in the water and bring it up to tempure and look again. If you see steam or water being made you need to check the static line in the boat. v-6s will pull water thru the exhaust if the static line is to low. water line on manifold) to the top of riser. The old static line was 8 and one half inches pre roller cam. Roller cam engines 13 and three quarters. Many boats come from the manufacture with the static line border line and the customer loads up the boat and there below and the engine starts injesting water. Mercruiser makes 3 inch and 6 inch extentions now to help with the problem.I see alot of water ingestion problems that have never been properly diagnoised. Vinney

 

[dpocta]

Re: Water in Crankcase on a 2000-4.3-V6-Merc

trying to understand - <br />Where is the static line? I did not see<br />a hose,line to the riser,exhaust manifold.

 

[vinney]

Re: Water in Crankcase on a 2000-4.3-V6-Merc

The static line is a measurement of the true water line on the engine to the top of the riser.(example half way up the exhaust manifold.)The way you find the static line is to take a one inch clear hose thats about 15 feet long. You take one end and put in in the water the other end you fill with water and bring it in to the boat. You make a loop in it and hold it up against the engine with the top of the hose above the engine with the loop below the engine with water still in the hose. What you end up with is the level in the hose is the true water line. You then make a mark on the engine usally on the exhaust manifold and you measure to the top of the riser. This is the static line. The water line to the top of the riser. Since the roller cam being used in the marine engine it has made the static line be increased because of the duration of the cam being used.The positive pull on the exhaust on the compression stroke. All engine manufactures are fighting this problem. (Water reversation) The manufactures have redesigned there exhaust requirements when installing the roller cam engine. There have been extentions made that go in between the manifold and risers. New style exhaust flappers. Mercruiser has made a resignator and Volvo has done some redesign on there risers they have tried pulse tubes. Now they have new guide lines for there exhaust requirements. Now they require so much drop with 90 degree turns on each turn. V

 

[vinney]

Re: Water in Crankcase on a 2000-4.3-V6-Merc

The static line is a measurement of the true water line on the engine to the top of the riser.(example half way up the exhaust manifold.)The way you find the static line is to take a one inch clear hose thats about 15 feet long. You take one end and put in in the water the other end you fill with water and bring it in to the boat. You make a loop in it and hold it up against the engine with the top of the hose above the engine with the loop below the engine with water still in the hose. What you end up with is the level in the hose is the true water line. You then make a mark on the engine usally on the exhaust manifold and you measure to the top of the riser. This is the static line. The water line to the top of the riser. Since the roller cam being used in the marine engine it has made the static line be increased because of the duration of the cam being used.The positive pull on the exhaust on the compression stroke. All engine manufactures are fighting this problem. (Water reversation) The manufactures have redesigned there exhaust requirements when installing the roller cam engine. There have been extentions made that go in between the manifold and risers. New style exhaust flappers. Mercruiser has made a resignator and Volvo has done some redesign on there risers they have tried pulse tubes. Now they have new guide lines for there exhaust requirements. Now they require so much drop with 90 degree turns on each turn. V

 

[dpocta]

Re: Water in Crankcase on a 2000-4.3-V6-Merc

Vinny -Appreciate the help.Great information-<br />My Regal 2000 Merc has a 1 piece exhaust manifold-no riser.Called a Local Merc Dealer service department and he stated that there was a design flaw on these 1 piece units with the Static line you described(water coming in thru Exhaust).I gave him my serial number to see if its under warranty. They are replacing both exhaust manifolds with the older manifold /riser combo and using that extension you mentioned.<br />(They have a 2001 Regal in repair now).The engine has to be pulled out to replace all components.<br />And I never gave him any info,only that I had water in the oil.Thanks again<br />dpocta

 

[Capt Ken]

Re: Water in Crankcase on a 2000-4.3-V6-Merc

I've seen this problem with several 4.3 engines with the one piece manifold. In fact I have one on the stand now that is one of those, I'll fix later projects. We replaced it out with a 4.3 with the old two piece manifold/riser combinations from Mercruiser. Thats what surprised me about Mercruiser. The engine we pulled was a 99 and when we order the new 2002 replacement, it came in with the two piece manifold installed. Insurance paid for this customer's engine.