found water in oil what to do new owner

[vtx]

Checked oil level today and it was a 2 quarts low. The dipstick was nice (oil only). But, when I took off the cap it was milky. I added the oil and rechecked. Now after adding oil there is evidence of water on the dipstick. I haven't overheated the engine, I,m very careful about plastic bags and such. I take the boat in salt water but always fresh water flush after every use. The boat is trailered in the back yard. What to do. What's broken?
1995 bowrider
chevy 454
bravo 1 outboard

 

[dc380]

It's likely your exhaust manifolds. But we need some information.
Boat model and year, Engines type, hours....

There are lots on knowledgable folks of the site, but they will need the above information to help you out.

 

[fc3]

It would be really helpful if you stated boat, engine, drive, and model year. But since I like blindly guessing...

First drain the engine oil. If the engine does not get a chance to heat up, you can get some condensate at the fill cap. So that does not necessarily point to a problem. If you find water in the oil when you drain the crankcase, the most likely source is the exhaust manifolds, risers, and elbows. After that would be intake gasket, head gasket, the intake manifold itself, cylinder heads, and finally the engine block.

Best regards,
Frank C

 

[PlayDate]

I'm less concerned about the filler cap and more interested in color of the drained oil. If it looks like coffee with milk, then there is a problem. If it looks ok, I probably would still send a sample to one of the oil testing services just for piece of mind. Do a search on this site and you will find their contact info.

BTW it does help to know if you do the maintenance on the boat and what has been replaced on the engine overtime.

-John

 

[jksierraz]

I ran into the same problem last summer with mine. It turned out to be a very small crack in the exhasut manifold. My boat had also never been overheated, just cracked due to use and age. If you pull your manifolds off and look VERY VERY carefully-see if you see a small spot of rust..and if you do...there is your crack. Also, if your boat has been stored for the winter, you may not have milk in the crank case due to the fact that the water and oil may have seperated since it has sat. If this is the case when u change your oil, oil will drain first and water will follow.

 

[fwebster]

On a 13 year old outdrive boat I would be more suspect of a gasket failute at the elbo to riser or riser to manifold joint....if the problem is exhaust related....and, assuming the boat has been stored dry.

 

[Nehalennia]

I ran into the same problem last summer with mine. It turned out to be a very small crack in the exhasut manifold. My boat had also never been overheated, just cracked due to use and age. If you pull your manifolds off and look VERY VERY carefully-see if you see a small spot of rust..and if you do...there is your crack. Also, if your boat has been stored for the winter, you may not have milk in the crank case due to the fact that the water and oil may have seperated since it has sat. If this is the case when u change your oil, oil will drain first and water will follow.

Hey JKSeieraz, please put your boat's info in your signature.

VTX,
I wish you luck, but it sounds by the age that you are due for a serious engine inspection. Hopefully the findings are favorable. You may have manifolds needed, or head gaskets, but hopefully there's no other damage.