Water in muffler

[Greg Kinzel]

I was having trouble starting my 8hp Renault on a 27' Hunter. After unsuccesfully turning over the engine several times, I realized that the muffler is full of water. Now the engine won't turn over at all. Can anyone tell me the likelihood of my engine being ruined from trying to start it with a muffler full of water?

 

[David Foster]

Not a Renault owner

but these simple marine diesels can be very robust. I would immediately find and consult a good diesel mechanic.David

 

[Howard]

Check out the picture forum

I have an small Yanmar and the muffler is supposed to have some water in it although it not "FULL" you notice the water when it spits it out the exhaust pipe. I think that you have a similar system on your renault. It is possible that the water has backed up into the engine, especially if the exhaust loop isn't above the waterline. You may have a water lock. This is when the water backs up in the exhaust pipes into the exhaust maniforld and into the engine head. I if you do have a water lock and if you're not a bit of a greese monkey you'll probably need a mechanic. There was a article on the photo head of where this happened. The note was complete with pictures. It appears that the sailor was testing the engine with a bucket of water and the cooling suction hose in the cockpit. He left it overnight and it siphoned into the engine and filled the crankcase with water. I've also heard of engines becomming water locked when the exhaust outlet was under water or the boat was beat by a following wave. You might try Gordon Torrenson (from this web site) he's a real master ahd he and Torrenson Marine are really helpful .I hope this helps.

 

[Howard]

Sorry the article is in the sailing stories

shared with other sailors. There is even a picture

 

[Pat]

Hard start problen

If youu turn off the sea-cock to the engine cooling water, then bleed the injector. That little Renault should run. You can start it momentarily without cooling water then turn on the water (no more than 20-30 sec.). Ther is water in your muffler at all times because it's ot all pumped out with the exhaust. The water is there to cool and quiet the exhaustPat McCartin1979 H30 "Therapy"Lake Lanier Ga

 

[Bob Blais]

It happened to me

Greg,I purchased My hunter in March. It has a 8 hp Reanault. A north wind caused a chop in the sound causing chop to splash up in the exhaust. Not realizing this, I tried to crank up the engine. It turned a couple of times and then stopped. looking below in the engine compartment I noticed oil and water mixture leaking. Long story short, water made its way all the way up the exhaust pipe, through the exhaust manifold into the combustion chamber down around the piston rings and filling up the oil crankcase.I thought I screwed the pooch. But not so.1. Don't try turning the engine over any more2. disconnect the exhaust pipe at the engine water will empty out.3. hand turn the crank case slowly allowing any water in the combustion chamber and piston  to empty out the exhaust4. Drain and service the crankcase5. reconnect the ehaust pipe6. try to start the engine. If everything  (hopefully) goes well, don't let engine run  long, just enough to start and run for any  remanding water to mix with the oil. Shut  down and change the oil again. I changed  mine several more times after the inital  time. Its been running fine since March. Good luck and let me know how it went Bob e-mail bblais2000@yahoo.com