Build-up in Westerbeke Gen Exhaust

[Eagleflyer]

Hi guys,

For the second time in 3 months I’ve had to pull the head off my Westerbeke 7.0 BCG for water in the oil. First time there was no build up an exhaust port but the second time I pull the head off I had a significant amount of build up an exhaust port. Is this calcium? Appreciate your help thank you!

 

[douglee25]

Possibly? Why are you getting water in your oil?

 

[Eagleflyer]

Well...that’s the 1000 question. Just curious what the exhaust build up is.

 

[PlayDate]

Hi guys,

For the second time in 3 months I’ve had to pull the head off my Westerbeke 7.0 BCG for water in the oil. First time there was no build up an exhaust port but the second time I pull the head off I had a significant amount of build up an exhaust port. Is this calcium? Appreciate your help thank you!

I believe you have answered your own question. It would appear you have water intrusion from the exhaust side. Water backs up in the exhaust system and leaks back through the exhaust port into the combustion chamber. The compression stroke forces it by the rings into the the oil sump where it mixes with the oil turning it milky brown.

If you have that buildup inside an exhaust port.....I suspect your exhaust elbow (or a part of the exhaust system) is blocked with the same buildup which is why the water is backing up into the engine.

 

[370Dancer]

Yup Looks like caked up salt.

 

[Eagleflyer]

Thanks for the input. Cleaned and reassemble the generator. Used high temp sealant on all gaskets. All test runs good so far. It starts much quicker which leads me to believe there was a head gasket issue ( low compression) and water was migrating into 2 of the 3 cylinders. On start up, the salt water was vaporized leaving just the salt that would flow out the exhaust (white milky look) but also build up in the exhaust port and exhaust manifold. The water could be coming the other direction as someone mentioned, making the plugs wet, making the engine hard to start and the above process begins.

 

[becnme]

Have you checked the anti siphon valve in the cooling hose?(if your boat has one). If your gen is installed below the water line there is a valve installed in the hose that dumps the cooling water into the exhaust manifold. When they get plugged they do not break the siphon and water enters the engine through the exhaust. Just fixed a friends after he cleaned his engine 3 times.