Where can this water be coming from?

[kaliona]

1978 165hp inline 6 Mercruiser. I noticed water dripping below the engine only when the engine is running, either in the water or on the ear muffs. Was dripping right down the face of the flywheel cover plate so I dropped the plate down and videoed the drip. I don't see any leaks up the exhaust pipe from the transom to the boot to the exhaust elbow or riser. Where can this water be coming from? I'm hoping someone can tell me from this video. Thanks.

 

[kaliona]

1978 165hp inline 6 Mercruiser. I noticed water dripping below the engine only when the engine is running, either in the water or on the ear muffs. Was dripping right down the face of the flywheel cover plate so I dropped the plate down and videoed the drip. I don't see any leaks up the exhaust pipe from the transom to the boot to the exhaust elbow or riser. Where can this water be coming from? I'm hoping someone can tell me from this video. Thanks.

Sorry, maybe I should have inserted the video in the post instead of as an attachment
View attachment Video.mov

 

[tank1949]

It appears to be a freeze plug.

 

[Scott06]

X2 on core or freeze plug in back of block. Engine has to, if not come out,be lifted and pulled forward so flywheel can be removed to acess plugs. make sure you use a brass or stainless plug, do not use steel as they will corrode in marine applications.

if a core plug is pressed out likely engine was frozen at some point

 

[alldodge]

Do agree appears to be core plug. The age of the motor it might be the plug is rusted thru. Still need to pull motor to find out

 

[Bt Doctur]

I agree, cracked block or a core plug.

 

[kaliona]

Thanks all for the advice. Is that an expensive job to have a shop perform? If I go ahead and have the work done, should I have them change anything else while the engine is out?

 

[stresspoint]

im going a different path . ? head gasket

 

[tank1949]

Do agree appears to be core plug. The age of the motor it might be the plug is rusted thru. Still need to pull motor to find out

and if salt used, pitch motor!!!!

 

[Bondo]

Is that an expensive job to have a shop perform?

Ayuh,..... Potentially fatal with no possible repair,.....

 

[kaliona]

Bondo, now I'm really concerned when you say "fatal with no possible repair". Do you mean if it is indeed a leaky core plug and I don't fix it now, the engine will be damaged beyond repair?

 

[Bondo]

Ayuh,...... It might be a cracked block, 'n not a core plug problem,......

 

[flashback]

How does the engine oil look?

 

[kaliona]

Just did an engine oil change last month. Old oil looked like old oil when drained. New oil after one month of use looks good. No milky color.

 

[flashback]

Just did an engine oil change last month. Old oil looked like old oil when drained. New oil after one month of use looks good. No milky color.

That's encouraging. A leaky core plug is not a death sentence, that said water where it shouldn't be needs fixing..

 

[Scott Danforth]

While the inline 6 has a lot more iron than a SBC or other motors, knowing what damaged the core plug is important.

 

[kaliona]

While the inline 6 has a lot more iron than a SBC or other motors, knowing what damaged the core plug is important.

What could have damaged the core plug? I'm thinking simply the age of the engine and normal deterioration. The engine has always run fine, never overheated.

 

[Scott06]

What could have damaged the core plug? I'm thinking simply the age of the engine and normal deterioration. The engine has always run fine, never overheated.

If it freezes due to improper winterization it can push it out. The plug can also rot out due to age, don't think a 165 has been made since about 1981 or 1982…

as mentioned would look if it is coming off the head gasket or I had a cracked head on a merc 150 which is the little brother of the 165, back of head of it gets hot Can crack. Had a stuck thermostat tapped it when it opened nice cold Memorial Day lake water (50 deg) hit it ….

have you owned it since new ? would be surprised if a 45 yr old boat has never been hot…

 

[Scott Danforth]

What could have damaged the core plug?

Usually lack of proper winterization

 

[alldodge]

What could have damaged the core plug? I'm thinking simply the age of the engine and normal deterioration. The engine has always run fine, never overheated.

Could be old age and way back when the motor was made they used steel plugs and not brass or stainless. Could be all you need is a 50 cent plug, but need to remove motor to find out