Westerbeke Generator 7.2Kw Water In Oil Need Help

midexp

midexp

Active Member
Oct 5, 2016
424
Harrison Township, Michigan Lake St.Clair
Boat Info
1999 40' Sundancer
Engines
454 merc
I found out during an oil change on my Westerbeke generator that I have a lot of liquid in the oil. I'm really puzzled how it's getting there. First off, I don't believe it's coolant, so I don't think the head gasket is bad. The coolant is completely full and I get about a quart more in the oil from running for 15 minutes (engine holds 3 qt.). I have attached a diagram of the water and cooling system. I just can't see how water could get into the engine. The generator fires right up and runs great. I've read threads on this issue where people are saying the water pump is bad, but the W/P or systyem on this unit is not connected to the engine in any way. Westerbeke has a note talking about water in oil from "a fault in the exhaust system attached to the engine and siphoning through the raw water cooling and into the engine". Not sure what this means? Has anyone ever had this issue and how was it fixed?
Thanks
 

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Hey Midexp

Did you dispose of the old oil? If you can retain it, get an oil analysis performed. They are about $20 and would be able to discern water vs antifreeze. What is the year/model of your genney? Was this oil in the engine over the winter? One possibility would be condensation built up in the crankcase over the winter/spring. Change the oil and you will be OK. But then again...that would be a lot of condensation.

The reference to the fault in the exhaust system is to the anti siphon valve that is supposed to be installed in the exhaust line. It prevents engine from pulling water back through the exhaust. Is yours installed? Might it be plugged up? Mud dobbers do a number on vent inlets sometimes. It looks like an upside down J trap in the exhaust line. Here's the installation manual, exhaust system details start on pg 11.
 
Last edited:
midexp said:
I found out during an oil change on my Westerbeke generator that I have a lot of liquid in the oil. I'm really puzzled how it's getting there. First off, I don't believe it's coolant, so I don't think the head gasket is bad. The coolant is completely full and I get about a quart more in the oil from running for 15 minutes (engine holds 3 qt.). I have attached a diagram of the water and cooling system. I just can't see how water could get into the engine. The generator fires right up and runs great. I've read threads on this issue where people are saying the water pump is bad, but the W/P or systyem on this unit is not connected to the engine in any way. Westerbeke has a note talking about water in oil from "a fault in the exhaust system attached to the engine and siphoning through the raw water cooling and into the engine". Not sure what this means? Has anyone ever had this issue and how was it fixed?
Thanks
Click to expand...

I think we had the same generator in our 1998 400EC. The factory did not install an antisiphoning valve or even a simple water intake loop. As a result if we cranked it a lot to get it started it would frequently suck water into the engine. If you don’t have the anti siphon valve and an exhaust loop you may want to install them.
 
dtfeld,

Genny is a 1999. I'm not familiar with an anti-siphon valve. I can't see water coming in from the exhaust. When I ran the genny, the boat was tied up in the well. And I can see plenty of water coming out the through hole in the side of the boat.

I don't believe you attached the manual?
Thanks
ater
 
Gary B said:
I think we had the same generator in our 1998 400EC. The factory did not install an antisiphoning valve or even a simple water intake loop. As a result if we cranked it a lot to get it started it would frequently suck water into the engine. If you don’t have the anti siphon valve and an exhaust loop you may want to install them.
Click to expand...

Thanks, but how could water get in just sitting at the well? And my boat has a big loop in the exhaust line, plug a big can muffler. And plenty of flow coming out.
 
midexp said:
Thanks, but how could water get in just sitting at the well? And my boat has a big loop in the exhaust line, plug a big can muffler. And plenty of flow coming out.
Click to expand...

If the generator is hard to start and it’s cranked for more than a few seconds our westerbeke used to back suck water into the generator making the oil milky. The trick was to only crank it for a couple of seconds at a time. We too had a canister exhaust for the generator and we still had water in the engine a few times. We did not have the exhaust loop from the factory which it really should have had.
We eventually replaced the generator and when we did we installed an anti siphon valve that opens electrically once the generator gets up to rpm. only then will it allow water to flow to the generator. We never had water in the new generator when we had the antisiphon valve.
Hope this helps
 
Gary B said:
If the generator is hard to start and it’s cranked for more than a few seconds our westerbeke used to back suck water into the generator making the oil milky. The trick was to only crank it for a couple of seconds at a time. We too had a canister exhaust for the generator and we still had water in the engine a few times. We did not have the exhaust loop from the factory which it really should have had.
We eventually replaced the generator and when we did we installed an anti siphon valve that opens electrically once the generator gets up to rpm. only then will it allow water to flow to the generator. We never had water in the new generator when we had the antisiphon valve.
Hope this helps
Click to expand...

Thanks Gary. I wonder why this isn't a more talked about problem. Seems like all 400 Sundancers would have this.
 
I'm having this same issue. Im checking the siphon vale tomorrow didn't think of that. The westerbeke manual says to much cranking will bring water in as well and to drain the muffler. I did that today. Thanks all
 
midexp said:
dtfeld,

Genny is a 1999. I'm not familiar with an anti-siphon valve. I can't see water coming in from the exhaust. When I ran the genny, the boat was tied up in the well. And I can see plenty of water coming out the through hole in the side of the boat.

I don't believe you attached the manual?
Thanks
ater
Click to expand...

Sorry for late follow up, been pretty busy lately, not following up. I’m on the road at th3 moment, don’t have access, but google or go to the westerbeke sight, they have all this info for your model.

one other though...the raw Water pump on some models are gear driven engine oil lubed, and there is a seal between the water and oil side. If this fails, you can get water in the oil.

These pumps are rebuildable or replaceable
 
Hi All, I thought I would give you an update. After the second oil change I have noticed no milky oil in the crankcase. So happy! I do have a fouled bearing seal on the raw water see pump and I will rectify that however the oil seems to be stable at this point after 30 minutes of running, I will run some more tests tomorrow and keep you all posted. My suggestion is if you have milky oil don’t give up! Just do another change and done be discouraged because it may just be temporary. Solutions I performed:
1. Bleed muffler if all water.
2. Remove l, clean, and reseat (with plumbers tape) the anti siphon vent
3. Drain oils to “full” if needed. (Check dip
Stick)
4. Run to op temp
5. Change oil and check dipstick every minute or so for milkly oil


Mine, after the second change was good. This is a genny no run in 5 years. Working great and load tests good.

will run for 5 hours and recheck milk issue but I think after cleansing I’m good.

thank you all for your support
 
Here what you need to do/install. Reroute your cooling line leaving the motor and install an anti-siphon valve. Got to go up, then down after the valve. 1532988664904.jpg Do NOT buy the one Westerbeke sells as it is a POS. Think I got mine from WM or defender. See the thumb nail picture.
20180802_153738.jpg
 
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