Water in the heads

khune · Jul-02-2009, 07:23 PM

The boat ran hot so we shut her down and after further inspection I found water in the lifters and under the valve covers (foamy white oil).

Is this a head gasket issues or a new longblock issue?

Slater · Jul-02-2009, 07:34 PM

Kind of a judgment call on this one. How old is the motor & what is it? Salt water doesnt lubricate your crank shaft bearings very well...
You can pull the head or heads & have a look or if shes older just pull the whole thing & have a reputable machine shop rebuild the whole thing & shes new again!

Tailwhipped · Jul-02-2009, 07:37 PM

Will need more info., Engine size and year. I have seen the SB chevys crack the block just under the head in the valley.

whitecap72 · Jul-02-2009, 08:29 PM

Check your spark plugs in each cylinder.The plugs should tell you alot,and do a compression check on each cylinder as well.Happy boating.

khune · Jul-02-2009, 11:23 PM

Boat is a 89 Shamrock with a Ford 302 marinenized (how does that get spelled) by Indmar hooked to a borg warner transmission.

Engine has around 1000 hours on it.

Plugs all look clean and dry.

If I was to change the head gaskets how would I get all the water out?

JUST-IN-TIME · Jul-03-2009, 03:22 AM

leak down test first

could be risers

Ducttape · Jul-03-2009, 08:14 PM

first thing that comes to my mind is cracked block.