Coolant in the oil....crap!

[Jaksonbrown]

So we were fishing the Skagit river last weekend fishing for salmon, and I am running the boat WOT through a skinny section of water and for some reason, I just decide to look back. The boat is throwing off white smoke like its on fire! I look down at my guages and . sure enough,... its reading 225 degrees! So I shut it down and luckily am able to drift the boat back to the launch with the aide of the kicker. Upon inspecting the engine while its on the trailer in the water, I pull the dipstick and check the oil... its fine. We open up the coolant tank and its bone dry. We pour in some river water... its crystal clear, and attempt to fire the engine in hopes of cooling it down some. It struggles at first and then fires. I only run it for about 20 seconds when I notice the problem. The bolt holding the alternator in place has broken in two allowing the belts to come off the water pump. Problem found! So I shut it off....as we dont have a bolt we have to call it a day. So I get home and add some coolant to the engine and fix the bolt. I notice that I have a leak around the gasket on the heat exchanger and its leaking radiator fluid. Crap. Next day I pull it apart and repair the gasket. Its then that I pull the dipstick and check the oil. Its white and there is lots of it! The white oil water mix is half way up the dipstick!

My question is this. After I shut the engine off when I was running it up the river, I checked the oil and it was fine. Once we added some water to the system we ran it for only a few seconds before noticing the water pump was not turning. Im guessing that it has a blown head gasket, but if the pump was not turning is it possible to get coolant into the heads by simply adding it to the tank? What other possible diagnosis could there be to answer how the water got into the oil and in that quantity? Cracked block?

I dont claim to be that great of a mechanic so I am at a little bit of a loss. Just praying I didnt blow the motor.

Any suggestions or advice would be greatly appreciated.

BTW>... the boat is an old duckworth jet sled with a 455 olds.

Cory-

[Anonymous]

I’m sorry to hear of your engine issues. It sounds like you might have warped the heads and that would explain the blown head gasket.

[Amx]

Yup, head gasket would be the most prevelent reason. A cylinder pressure test and then a leakdown test is about the only way to be sure, then you'll know which head gasket, BUT!! If you're gonna replace one gasket, then BOTH should be done. You don't want to have to do the other gasket 'next week'. Both heads should be checked for flatness anyway.

[G-Man]

Yes it is possible. Could be a blown gasket or and Big D mentioned warped heads which has broken the seal between the oil and coolant systems. I know it is a bit late in the game to be handing out advice and it may have not made any difference in the final outcome of the situation. One should not add coolant to a hot engine if it isn't running and/or bone dry, the thermal shock can cause all kinds of problems. Allow the motor to cool down so that you can touch it before adding coolant. It will take quite a bit of time yet may save you a bunch of headaches and money down the road.

[wolverine]

BOAT = "break out another thousand) $.

AMX & Big D are more than likely correct. Of course you won't really know the extent of the problem until you tear it down.

[Jaksonbrown]

Thanks guys.... tearing it down tonight..... There goes the money I had saved up for my new TR-1...:(

[Amx]

Can you do a leakdown test? Or a pressure test? I don't know if my plugs will fit a GM product/engine/sparkplug holes for those 2 tests.

[Jaksonbrown]

I think this project is out of my skill level. I just dropped it off at 3 rivers marine. Should know the damage tomorrow. Thanks for the offer though. Very kind of you.

[Big D]

Please let use know how things turn out. I hope it's not to expensive.

[Jaksonbrown]

Well, its worse case scenario time.... cracked block. Guess Im looking for a good deal on a reman. Sh#T!!!!!!!!

[Anglinarcher]

Man, that sucks. Did they suggest what might have caused it?

[flinginpooh]

I just noticed this thread and was gonna say possible crack block. It could have happend when you tossed nice cool water from the river into a heated motor. I did the same thing with a truck of mine. If I waited for it to cool all the way Might have been better off but I tossed water in and actually heard the cracking sounds. Im sorry to hear bout that. Good thing is those motors can be found used or rebuilt for fairly good prices. Bad news it might take awhile to find one at a good price. Good luck to you.

[Anonymous]

It can also be welded up, if the crack is easy to get to. When I had one freeze up one Jan night in Virginia when I was in the Navy, I had it welded. But there was more than the 2 cracks that they did. Radiator stop leak fixed the rest. But a 'new' block would be best.

[basspro]

Tom,

Sometimes the welds dont hold and your back to the same problem. If I were the owner I would be looking for a reman.

Russ

[dicinu]

local machine shops will get killer prices on reman blocks also salvage yards like gundies and LKQ which are the same company for the most part. they will also have used blocks.

['OL GREY DOG]

inboard ?...replacement ???.....only 1 guy in the world (IMO)...call Harry ...Tanglewild Marine..360 459 1286....for anything major like that....if my power plant has to be pulled..i'd stand in line and wait till they could do it....fast(BUSY) clean shop..honest as you'll find anyyywhere....
(IMO)boats are like planes....you do a "rig" job on it....it can kill ya...or your friend...or some 1s kid....i know i get on my soap box about this kinda stuff but geeeezzziisss if you've been around boats you learn ...if somethings going to go WRONG ..its going to go wrong at the worst possible time in the worst possible place.....
my 35 cents worth....DOG

PS...Harry might have a used motor lay'n on the floor that was replaced but is perfectly fine...
he realllyyy pushs the modern electronic/fuel injected chevy motors and sells a LOT of 'em...
he wouldnt sell ya something if it wasnt right...

[MotoBoat]

Any luck finding a motor, block or repair to the old motor?

[Jaksonbrown]

Any luck finding a motor, block or repair to the old motor?

I have located a nearly new 351windsor big block for a decent price. How much thrust am I going to lose by going from the 455 olds to the 351? Would I have to change the pump or impellers for any reason?

Any advice would be appreciated.

['OL GREY DOG]

geeee i dont know ...from chev to ford...square peg in a round hole syndrome....sounds like lottsa rig'n

[Jaksonbrown]

Hey the good news is that I have found a 455 block for a reasonable price.... Kind of pisses me off though.... I must have called 8 different shops and mechanics... everyone knocking down the 455 and insisting I put in a 454 or 460 etc.. and spend 8K doing it.... I only paid 12K for the boat... why would I do that??? Finally through a referal from a friend... I find a shop that will build me a 455 back up for under 4K.....
Why do all these shops insist on you spending tons of money and then try and convince you its the only way... its criminal...
I feel like a woman at a jiffy lube... ..