Westerbeke diesel generator oil issues. HELP!

DjDaoust

Member
Nov 4, 2015
213
La Crosse, WI
Boat Info
1998 450 Sundancer - 3 Boys & A Blonde
Engines
Cat 3126's
The other day, I checked the oil level in the generator and it was near the full line, but very grey and milky. Changed the oil and ran it for a few minutes. Fine.

The next day, fired up the genny for a 15 mile cruise. Arrived at our destination and checked it again: complete milk! Shut her down for the trip home.

Then yesterday I checked the oil again. This time it was still milky, but began overflowing out the dipstick hole from all the water!

A couple opinions from my diesel dockmates: bad head gasket (but why would it run smooth?) bad heat exchanger letting water in.

Any additional input greatly appreciated!
 
This happened to a friends Westerbeke. It was the raw water pump leaking into the motor. He replaced the pump and did several oil and filter changes till it cleared completely. No problems since.
 
Condensation?

That's what was wrong w/ our 9.0 Onan.

We did 3 flushes(oil & filter), and haven't had a problem since.

Good luck.
 
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Remove t he radiator fill cap and check the coolant level and color. If it is rusty or cloudy, the chances are the heat exchanger has a leak in it. They can be repaired but I wouldn't do it on a 20 year old heat exchanger. They are about $600 from an aftermarket company. If you need a source and part number, I will have to dig thru my files but I can find it.
 
I'm not familiar with the Westerbeke, but how would a leaking heat exchanger alow water into the crankcase ? I am thinking of my Onan and see no way that could happen.
 
My bet is on the raw water pump, have seen that happen a couple of times to Westerbekes. Change the oil and filter a few times, and you should be good to go. That is a lot of water in a short time, which points to the pump.

Agree on the heat exchanger, not sure how that would let water into the crankcase. Could be a head gasket, but I would think it would/could hydrolock when you try to start it, with that much leaking into the crankcase. If the coolant levels are OK, then I would not be concerned about that.
 
Another thing I just remembered. After I shut the Genset down and returned to home port, I forgot to close the strainer; thus pushing large amounts of water through the strainer. Assuming that's what pushed so much water into the crankcase. But from where???

What's the best way to start to diagnose without throwing parts at it? Frank - I'll check the radiator level & color. Thanks as always!
 
Another thing I just remembered. After I shut the Genset down and returned to home port, I forgot to close the strainer; thus pushing large amounts of water through the strainer. Assuming that's what pushed so much water into the crankcase. But from where???

I never close my strainer when the gen is off and have never had an issue....
 
Another thing I just remembered. After I shut the Genset down and returned to home port, I forgot to close the strainer; thus pushing large amounts of water through the strainer. Assuming that's what pushed so much water into the crankcase. But from where???

What's the best way to start to diagnose without throwing parts at it? Frank - I'll check the radiator level & color. Thanks as always!

Did you have to crank very long to get it started? I have a Westerbeke also, and if I crank more than about 8-10 seconds it will ingest water every single time and and turn the oil to milk. I had several mechanics look at it over a 2 year period, and I actually found the clue on CSR. It ended up needing a new pump, and the hard starting problem was fixed.

-Tom
 
I have always had to crank it for 10-15 seconds for it to turn over. But once it does, she fires rights up. Frank-my local mechanic, who's not very diesel-knowledgeble, said if it's not running, there's too much forced water coming in the intake???
 
I have always had to crank it for 10-15 seconds for it to turn over. But once it does, she fires rights up. Frank-my local mechanic, who's not very diesel-knowledgeble, said if it's not running, there's too much forced water coming in the intake???

I've not heard about that issue, but I know you can get water in thru the intake if you don't have an anti-siphon device.

Screen Shot 2017-06-20 at 4.21.05 PM.jpg
 
I would bet money on the raw water pump !! Do what Mike and boating nut said...get a new pump and then change your oil several times, SEVERAL times. It happened to me and this solved the problem
 
That raw water pump has two seals one for the raw water side and one for the bearings and oil side. There is a drip hole between the seals so if the raw water one fails or leaks the water runs out of the drip hole. Doubtful the water in the oil is from the raw water pump.
Westerbeke WaterPump.jpg
 
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So it turned out to be the raw water pump after all! A friend removed the water pump and the inner bearings were shot. Ordered a rebuild kit on Ebay for $140. Hopefully this clears up the issue. Thanks to all for input!
 
So it turned out to be the raw water pump after all! A friend removed the water pump and the inner bearings were shot. Ordered a rebuild kit on Ebay for $140. Hopefully this clears up the issue. Thanks to all for input!

Great news... There are several you tube videos showing how to rebuild. Here is one of them >>>
 
The problem s with rebuilding a Westerbeke seawater pump is that by the time you get it figured out, the seals have leaked wnough that the shaft is pitted. On the 450DA, the Westerbeke seawater pump couldn't be in a worst place to get to. When I get to the point that the pump leaks, I just replace it with a complete new pump from Westerbeke. My last one 2 years ago was $430. By the time you consider the cost of repair parts, the shortened service life on the rebuild and how danged difficult it is to just remove and reinstall the pump, I figure I am money and time ahead, plus, I reset the maintaince clock to zero.

Just an opinion...........good luck with it.
 
I am with Frank on this, I just buy a new pump, for all the reasons he laid out. Those pumps do not have a great life expectancy, in my experience, sadly.
 

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