Water in Cylinders

[ChrisD11663]

So yesterday I was getting ready to head out. Started up the boat, all sounded good. Had to run to the store so shut it off 15 minutes later and it dieseled down. Trie to start right back up and motor was bound. After checking a few things, decided to pull a plug to see if there was water in cylinder. Totally Flooded.

Turned out to have water in all 4 on port side and one cylinder on starboard side. Luckily, no water in oil at all. Don't think it overheated at all so I don't think its a headgasket. What are the chances or both risers going at the same time though? Going down today to pull risers and manifolds off. I'm hoping that's the only issue.

Motor is a 5.7 Merc. I just took ownership so don't have many details on it.

 

[dan313]

I had that happen to me last year. Both manifolds developed a leak at the same time. Have the mec pressure test the manifolds, rule of thumb if one side goes the other is sure to follow. It pays to change both at the same time.

Good Luck

 

[JVM225]

It is possible for both to go.
You need to get that water out of the cylinders before you try to start it again. Pull the plugs and turn it. That should get a good amout of it out.
Get a new set of manifolds and gaskets, change the oil, and hopefully you will be good to go.
Some of the water will leak down in to the pan from the cylinders so an oil change is in order.

 

[ChrisD11663]

thanks for the tips guys. Today I pulled the manifold and riser off the starboard side which had all 4 cylinders filled with water. Manifold looked great, riser looked questionable. Went to my local marine supply and showed them. They agreed they looked ok. Decided to get a new riser since it was already out. Got all new gaskets and the exhaust flapper as well.

Spoke with a mechanic there and explained what happened. He asked if I shut down with a high rpm. I said it was a little higher than usual since I didn't kick it down and explained the motor backfired, spun backwards and took water back in which totally makes sense. I put everything back together and changed the flapper on the port side which was bad as well.

Now it won't turn over for some reason. It sounds like it wants to but just won't. Had a storm rolling in and decided to call it a night. I'm going to check compression tomorrow. My fear is that the rings somehow went bad with that salt water sitting in it overnight.

I'll give some more updates tomorrow if I can get anywhere with it.

 

[JVM225]

If the motor is still good, I would do the manifolds at the same time. "Looks OK" is not good enough. You really can't see down inside them, and just replacing risers only buys you some time at best.
Rings going bad from the saltwater from sitting overnight is not as likely as doing damage to the valves, or worst case scenario the rods, from trying to crank a motor with water in the cylinders.
The water won't compress when you crank it and something in there has got to give.
Unfortunately, damage from ingesting water caused by bad manifolds and/or risers is the leading cause of failure in marine engines.
Do the compression check and see what you have. Then make the next decision from there.

 

[ChrisD11663]

Went down to the boat today and checked compression. Between 145 and 155 in 6 of 8 cylinders I could get the gauge in so I'm happy with that. Picked up new plugs and installed one side. Started right up so changed the other side and running like a champ now. Very pleased I could keep this under a grand in part.

 

[JVM225]

Went down to the boat today and checked compression. Between 145 and 155 in 6 of 8 cylinders I could get the gauge in so I'm happy with that. Picked up new plugs and installed one side. Started right up so changed the other side and running like a champ now. Very pleased I could keep this under a grand in part.

Thats great! You got real lucky. I would go ahead and change the oil and filter now. I would also seriously consider going with all new manifolds and risers. If I were planning to keep the boat for a while I would go for the Mercruiser brand ceramic coated ones. I think I remember seeing that MarineMate on Montauk Highway in Lindenhurst had a pretty decent price on them.

 

[deeman]

This was a thread filled with highs and lows. Being an eternal worrier, I too fear my risers / manifolds on my 98' are going to expire and cause damage. I am very glad it workd out for you!!! Nice job!!

 

[ChrisD11663]

So I got a chance to take it out to the bay today. Had to go get gas. Got to the gas dock, tied up and as soon as I shut down a huge boom. I didn't even turn around, I almost had a tear in my eye. Then a few more booms.

wound up being some kids lighting off M-80's down the block.

 

[comsnark]

Being an eternal worrier, I too fear my risers / manifolds on my 98' are going to expire and cause damage.

I don't live in fear of my risers -> I know that they will last eight years in the water where I boat; which is why I changed mine out at five years.

 

[deeman]

So I got a chance to take it out to the bay today. Had to go get gas. Got to the gas dock, tied up and as soon as I shut down a huge boom. I didn't even turn around, I almost had a tear in my eye. Then a few more booms.

wound up being some kids lighting off M-80's down the block.

I'll admit, you got me!! Glad it worked out.

 

[Jimmy Buoy]

This was a thread filled with highs and lows. Being an eternal worrier, I too fear my risers / manifolds on my 98' are going to expire and cause damage. I am very glad it workd out for you!!! Nice job!!

Deeman, I wouldn't get too worked up about your risers based on your location. My last boat was a 87 and it still had the original risers. Fresh water boats often exist their entire working lives on the same risers.

 

[Two Screwed]

I am JUST NOW a member of the religion of risers and manifold checking brotherhood. Just after Memorial day, my starter on my starboard engine started to grind a bit while turning over. I got her back to the slip at the end of the weekend. Checked the starter again and had MAJOR grinding. Pulled the starter and discovered teeth missing on the flywheel. :smt009 Pulling the engine for the repair was more than I could delve into and I didn't want to lose my whole season to build a puller so I paid my marinas service guys to do the dirty work. Turns out, I had a cracks in both manifolds, worn out risers, and rusty valves when he looked into 2 exhaust ports. My mechanic speculates that water intrusion to the cylinders jammed the starter, thus causing ripped of flywheel teeth. I considered just repairing the cracked stuff but after he told me about all of the freeze plugs on the port side of that starboard engine had been replaced with the rubber squishy "quick-fix" kind, I took time to curse the previous owner and then authorize a NEW ENGINE to be installed. I'm at $6500 and counting. The only good part is that I had him check the port engine for problems and he said its in great shape. In conclusion, I figure that...
1. Having a marine mechanical survey done a year ago when I bought the boat would have been worth it.
2. Even without the Mechanical survey, an inspection of the risers after purchase could have saved me about $3k.
We live and we learn gentlemen:huh:

 

[JVM225]

I was down at my boat yesterday doing some maintenance and mods. My dock neighbor was down at his boat too. He thought he had a starter problem. I suggested he pull plugs on both sides of the engine. Sure enough one side had water in the cylinders. He ran and bought new manifolds and risers and installed them. He kept his fingers crossed, but it didn't work out for him.
Bad clanking noise coming from the side that had water in the cylinders.
I think it is up in the top end, but he is going to go for a new motor.
The same thing happened to him last year with the other motor.
I think he wishes he had changed the mainfolds and risers on this motor too when he did the other motor.
I felt bad for him. He is a real nice guy. I was really hoping the motor would start and run fine, but I think he tried to start it too many times with the water in the cylinders.
Personally, I would pop a valve cover off and have a look before I gave up on the motor, but his logic is good too. Better to go with a new motor and have no problems for a few years. He has the place and heavy equipment to pull the motor, and a buddy of his will do the mechanical work for him so it won't be too bad.