Water in top two cylinders '85 115hp Sea Drive

[Auxlarry]

Well, it appears that something has gone seriously wrong with my '85 115hp engine. Running along pretty well today and it started bogging down and then quit. Tried to restart and it sounded strange and would only spit and cough.
Pulled the hood off and turned it over and noticed water in the bottom of the silencer.
Apparently I need to pull the engine down but what should I look for? Haven't done a compression check yet but that will happen tomorrow. I did pull the plugs and all 4 have a reddish buildup on them.
Is it worth my while pulling it down and rebuilding or should I just go with a rebuild?

Thanks,
Larry

 

[patrick4266]

Re: Engine spitting water from carbs!

Re: Engine spitting water from carbs!

Might just be a blown head gasket.

 

[Auxlarry]

Re: Engine spitting water from carbs!

Re: Engine spitting water from carbs!

Okay, here is what I have found so far.

Compression on all cylinders 118-121psi.
Have water in 3 of the 4 cylinders. #1, 3 and four? Upper starboard from rear and both on the port bank.
Pulled the exhaust manifold off and really can't tell if anything was leaking. Pics attached.

Where else should I look?

Thanks,
Larry

 

[oldcatamount]

Re: Engine spitting water from carbs!

Re: Engine spitting water from carbs!

Something like that can be hard to pin point (at times). I suggest you replace the exhaust cover gasket with a new one, as well as the head gasket, being sure to thoroughly clean the surfaces and use a sealer like (3M 847).

 

[Auxlarry]

Re: Engine spitting water from carbs!

Re: Engine spitting water from carbs!

Removed the heads and the gaskets looked good (changed a few months ago) but when I was cleaning gasket material around the exhaust housing I was going to remove the only bolt I broke while removing the outer cover. Started working on it and found someone had milled out a section and replaced it with an aluminum plug (pic attached). Now, once I pulled the heads it was apparent that I am only getting water in the top two cylinders.
What do I need to look for?

Thanks,
Larry

 

[oldcatamount]

Re: Engine spitting water from carbs!

Re: Engine spitting water from carbs!

What was holding that aluminum plug in there?

 

[Auxlarry]

Re: Engine spitting water from carbs!

Re: Engine spitting water from carbs!

oldcatamount
Nothing that I can see but it was machined so that it slid in and then a slight anti clock twist was put on it and it kind of locked in. Strangest repair I have seen but I have had this block for 6 years and have over 1200 hours on it so it must have held?
I'm trying to track the water path through this engine but I don't have a breakdown of the water passage. Do you know of one I can find?

Larry

 

[oldcatamount]

Re: Engine spitting water from carbs!

Re: Engine spitting water from carbs!

The only place I've seen a diagrahm for the water passages is in a service manual specific to the motor. I'm thinking that plug may be the problem. When you re-install it, be sure to seal it well. That could very well be the culprit here.

 

[Auxlarry]

Re: Engine spitting water from carbs!

Re: Engine spitting water from carbs!

oldcatamount
The engine is a standard V4 Crossflow but I can't seem to find a print of the water passages. I'll look around some more.
The plug is interesting and I have already cleaned and sanded all surfaces rough to reinstall. But, I can't see where it would cause me to get water in the exhaust chamber since the inner exhaust plate seals against it?
What is a good epoxy or adhesive that will take the heat of the exhaust chamber?

Larry

 

[oldcatamount]

Re: Engine spitting water from carbs!

Re: Engine spitting water from carbs!

I would use 3M 847 adhesive/sealant. You're right, that plug may not be the issue after all. I was concerned about it because I'd not seen that kind of plug before.

 

[Auxlarry]

Re: Engine spitting water from carbs!

Re: Engine spitting water from carbs!

I went ahead and pulled the powerhead after being told that the lower crank seal can cause water issues in the top cylinders? Since never having completely torn down one of these crossflows, is it true that accumulated fuel in the lower section of the engine is sucked (forced) up to the the upper bearing for lubrication? If so this would make sense with the problems I have been experiencing.
Well, the seal was shot and the bearing is loose so that will get changed today along with some other cleanup and repaint.

Larry