Water in cylinder...?

[Happy Dayz]

Started running rough past weekend...
I pulled the spark plugs...
Cylinder 2 appears to have a head gasket leak or worse...
I can't catch a break..
What do you think?

 

[hottoddie]

Is the engine raw water cooled or closed cooling? At 12 years old a raw water cooled motor run in salt water can have bad head gaskets or failed exhaust elbows, risers or manifolds. If closed cooling it is more likely risers or elbows.

 

[Happy Dayz]

its raw cooled...
i spent a lot of time recent with the exhaust which is in good shape, replaced a couple yrs ago..
fortunately I'm mechanically inclined...
today begins disassembly... will replace all gaskets... fingers crossed not a crack in head

 

[MikeBravo]

I had the same situation. The previous owner had the manifolds, risers and elbows replaced in 2013 before I bought the boat. My mechanic noticed the plugs looked like there might be some water getting in one of the cylinders during the 100 hour service. Plug looked just like yours. Since it had been 5 years since the manifolds etc. were done we replaced them. Turns out during the previous replacement the po's mechanic over torqued the gaskets creating several microscopic holes in them. Over time they allowed a small amount of water to intrude. Fortunately we caught it in time.

 

[scoflaw]

Pressure test the water side of the block before you disassemble anything

 

[Happy Dayz]

Pressure test the water side of the block before you disassemble anything

open cooling.. not sure i can pressure the water side...
going to inspect risers, mani's, etc.. before full disassembly and do a pressure test...

 

[scoflaw]

Yes you can. Plug your intake hose and exhaust hoses at the t stat housing, dowels and hose clamps. Put a shrader valve in 1 of the sensor holes at the t stat. Put the air to it and listen.

 

[Happy Dayz]

Not looking good...

 

[Boater420]

Wow, sorry to see that. I hope the repairs go easy for you. Good luck.

 

[Espos4]

Sorry for your troubles.

Do you have rust stains in more than just the port that you posted, because That isn’t cylinder #2.
Looks like one of the middle cylinders 3,4,5 or 6.

 

[Happy Dayz]

Sorry for your troubles.

Do you have rust stains in more than just the port that you posted, because That isn’t cylinder #2.
Looks like one of the middle cylinders 3,4,5 or 6.

your correct.. its 3...
tomorrow i do a compression test..
coming to conclude manifolds, riser, elbow replace... water is getting in the "dry joint" exhaust.. down to exhaust valves and in while sitting/idle.. thus the poor starts but fine under power...

 

[Espos4]

Any rust stains on the raised lip of the upper “turbulator” gasket?

That’s the one between the spacer blocks and the riser.

 

[Espos4]

I would suggest immediately cleaning the port and fogging the cylinder to prevent any (further) damage.

As mentioned earlier, you should pressure test the raw water side Before reassembly. If the cylinder head is cracked or rotted, you will be able to see that with the manifolds removed during the pressure test.

 

[cfd95]

Doesn't look good.
Looks like you're going to have to pull the heads.
looks like it was leaking for awhile.
I feel your pain have same problem on both of my motors.
Pulled starboard heads exhaust valves cracked and seats destroyed.

 

[Espos4]

Another thought, at this point a leak down test would probably be easier and quicker than a cooling system pressure test. It would be very easy to see if the exhaust valves are leaking. If they are, you would remove the cylinder heads anyway.

I agree with cfd95 above, with the looks of those photos, I wouldn't be surprised to learn that the heads need reconditioning/replacement.

You seem to be handy, so get on with it and you'll be back on the water before you know it!

 

[Happy Dayz]

ordered new manifolds, spacers and elbows... upon further inspection it appears water is getting in the "dry joint"
will install and test.. then check plugs..

 

[cfd95]

ordered new manifolds, spacers and elbows... upon further inspection it appears water is getting in the "dry joint"
will install and test.. then check plugs..

I would pull the heads.
That valve looks bad.
I went thru the same thing and thought it would be ok.
The exhaust valves broke and the seats were destroyed by the salt water.
You also need to inspect the cylinder its obvious salt water was getting in.

 

[NorCal Boater]

I would pull the heads.
That valve looks bad.
I went thru the same thing and thought it would be ok.
The exhaust valves broke and the seats were destroyed by the salt water.
You also need to inspect the cylinder its obvious salt water was getting in.

I agree....pull the heads, get them into a shop and then get it back together. From where you are pulling the heads is practically done.

Remember.... There is never time and money to do it right but always time and money to do it over.

 

[Happy Dayz]

Well it appears I just caught blown motor before it blew the bottom end or worse. Heads pulled dropped off today to get work with new valves and Springs.

 

[Boater420]

Glad you caught it before it got worse.