I found the oil pan full of clear water after two weeks with engine idle. It is a universal 18 diesel. Any idea where this is coming from. The anti freeze that I use for the cooling system is dyed so I do not think that this is the source.
water is oil pan
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Could be a siphon event. Do you have a siphon break in the wet exhaust injection hose? Do you close the engine seacock?
With a little more info about the boat/engine/set up we may be able to guide you in a better direction.
water in oil pah
I do not have a siphon but rather an 1 1/4 check valve. I do not normally close the engine seacock but I did after the last event. The boat is a 1980 catalina with a universal m18 engine (1985). One possible reason, I've just been told, could be that there is a problem with the exhaust el where the fresh water and exhaust are mixed and that if there is infliltration of sea water into the exhaust manifold it could make its way back to the exhaust manifold, down to the valves, leak to the cylinders, drip down the sides and mix with the oil. Is this possible?
I am not a diesel expert, but the basic function of any engine is to inhale fuel and air, compress it, blow it up and exhale the waste. A by-product of this is the spinning of the crankshaft, which is measured by "torque." When a multi-cylinder engine is shut off, at least one piston will be in the copmpression/exhale mode, and another in an inhale mode. Usually, the valve springs will allow the valve to close (depending upon the type of lifter/tappet used), and the pressure would be contained, or bleed out slowly. There is always the possiblity that that inhale action would pull what it can from what ever area of low resistance, and bring with it what ever may be in the low resistance area.
You said the pan was full of water, so I assume you mean more than what can be accounted for by condensation. I would suggest a pressure bleed test to see if you have a compromised intake or exhaust cooling system. If your valve guides and rings allow for seepage like this, could be time for new seals and rings. Does your injector pump come in contact with any water source? There is almost always pressure there. I am not familiar with that particuar engine, but is there any type of intercooler involved? That would be a good place to sneak water, too.
You said the pan was full of water, so I assume you mean more than what can be accounted for by condensation. I would suggest a pressure bleed test to see if you have a compromised intake or exhaust cooling system. If your valve guides and rings allow for seepage like this, could be time for new seals and rings. Does your injector pump come in contact with any water source? There is almost always pressure there. I am not familiar with that particuar engine, but is there any type of intercooler involved? That would be a good place to sneak water, too.
Yes it is possible. This is a siphon break, others may look slightly different. If you have one it may have become clogged and allowed a siphon and if you don't have one you might want to look into one.
Were you able to crank the engine over?
thank you for the response and picture. I do not have an anti siphon. I will put one in. The engine cranks and runs. The power seems to have been compromised. Does this indicate a problem with the valves?
Have you located the source of the water? Since you may have ruled out anti-freeze/coolant, has the exhaust been emmiting steam, white smoke that dissapates quickly?
My M25 was emitting steam, it turned out to be a 95% blocked heat exchanger inlet causing backpressure on the raw water pump. The pump had a good impeller but the pump drain holes were rusted over. Sea water had only one place to go which was into the engine block. Had the drain holes been clear, sea water would have been dripping into the bilge.
I only offer this experience as another source of water in the crankcase.
My M25 was emitting steam, it turned out to be a 95% blocked heat exchanger inlet causing backpressure on the raw water pump. The pump had a good impeller but the pump drain holes were rusted over. Sea water had only one place to go which was into the engine block. Had the drain holes been clear, sea water would have been dripping into the bilge.
I only offer this experience as another source of water in the crankcase.
Weep Holes
Glenn, sorry to hear about your problem.
Reply #11 has a picture of a pump and the weep hole: http://c34.org/bbs/index.php/topic,5078.0.html
Glenn, sorry to hear about your problem.
Reply #11 has a picture of a pump and the weep hole: http://c34.org/bbs/index.php/topic,5078.0.html
Stu:
That was early last year. I had cleaned out the HX a few years before and thought it was clean. Steam had progressively gotten worse. The previous owner told me the boat likes it at 1500 rpm, either he lied or didn't know better but anything over 1500 rpm then the temp rose. I was trying to run down the cause of the steam and had good water flow to the HX. Actually the admiral noticed that the HX was clogged in the inlet. HX cleaned and replaced, then thought it was a head gasket, replaced it. I was trying to access the crankcase drain bolt to completely drain the pan and finally removed the raw water pump for better access. Laid it down, hoses connected and noticed it dripping at the seal. Light bulb goes off, that's the source of the water. New raw water pump, new fresh water pump, glow plugs, thermostat and three oil changes and the M25 runs better than ever and no steam. Now I run at 2000 with no problems and more water flow from the exhaust than ever before. Now we watch the temp guage and look over the stern quite frequently to be sure every thing is ok.
This reminds me, you mentioned that you have a drain hose. There is no room to access the drain plug on my C30 without lifting the engine a few inches. I would really like to be able to drain the oil that way but do not want it enough to start messing with that.
That was early last year. I had cleaned out the HX a few years before and thought it was clean. Steam had progressively gotten worse. The previous owner told me the boat likes it at 1500 rpm, either he lied or didn't know better but anything over 1500 rpm then the temp rose. I was trying to run down the cause of the steam and had good water flow to the HX. Actually the admiral noticed that the HX was clogged in the inlet. HX cleaned and replaced, then thought it was a head gasket, replaced it. I was trying to access the crankcase drain bolt to completely drain the pan and finally removed the raw water pump for better access. Laid it down, hoses connected and noticed it dripping at the seal. Light bulb goes off, that's the source of the water. New raw water pump, new fresh water pump, glow plugs, thermostat and three oil changes and the M25 runs better than ever and no steam. Now I run at 2000 with no problems and more water flow from the exhaust than ever before. Now we watch the temp guage and look over the stern quite frequently to be sure every thing is ok.
This reminds me, you mentioned that you have a drain hose. There is no room to access the drain plug on my C30 without lifting the engine a few inches. I would really like to be able to drain the oil that way but do not want it enough to start messing with that.
I drain the oil from the plug by putting a empty plastic gallon jug with a cut out on the side and flattened as I squeeze it under the engine. I then siphon the oil out with the jug in place to prevent a spill into the bilge. It is an easy, quick and complete oil change.
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