water in the engine

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imported_jw

Recruit
Joined
Jul 9, 2006
Messages
5
I have a mercruiser 350 rebuilt. I have water in the engine on one side all cylinders on the starboard side. I replaced the head gasket and the intake manifold gasket and it ran fine for two days.The intake manifold bolts were not as tight as when I tightened them.I do remember when I replaced the head gasket that the long bolts on the head were rusted and not the full length that they probably were when they were new. The head manifold was not cracked or warped at the time I replaced the gasket. Water also came out of the hoses from the carb to the valve covers.The intake manifold was wet on the chambers going to the motor on the starboard side but not the portside.The bolts on the head were still tightened. Where is the water coming from?
 
T

TilliamWe

Banned
Joined
Dec 21, 2004
Messages
6,579
Re: water in the engine

Yep jw, you did a lot of work for nothing. Water in the cylinders of a marine engine is "almost" always due to an exhaust manifold problem. If not the manifold, then the exhaust riser. And if not the manifold or the riser, it's because the "exhaust flapper" on that side is gone. And if not those things, then the static line of your exhaust is too low (but this would put water in both sides of the engine). And if not that, then the camshaft has too much overlap and the water comes in when you turn the motor off (reversion).
To sum up, water in the cylinders of a marine engine (Especially on one side only) is usually not a headgasket issue. Think about it, they have a constant source of cooling water and at most a 160 degree thermostat. SBC's don't blow headgaskets when they run that cool. Heck, they don't blow headgaskets right away, even when they run hot. Welcome to "the differences between marine engines and car engines 101". Good luck to you.
 
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