sweet fluid seeping up around spark plugs

[liveaboardL]

On a late-model Atomic 4, 1963, that was recently purchased, liquid pools up around the spark plugs at the top of the engine. There's a shallow well, maybe 1/8" deep around the spark-plug's top that is exposed from the engine, and in that well, after a week of sitting, this clear liquid appears. There's rust in the well too, indicating that this probably has been there for a while. It tastes like sugar-water, not half bad mind you. I've read that antifreeze is sweet, which is why dogs lick it & die.
I suspected it was saltwater, because I left the stopcock open.
There's a lot of smoke that comes from the engine when its running. Stinks up the whole cabin all night. Seems like a strong engine that runs well, but I've been told that the previous owner took her out for a trip and had to be towed back do to a breakdown.
The anode in the coolant pipe was completely turned to salt. I replaced it. I may have damaged the big black pipe-thing that the anode was resting in, trying to chisel the salt that had replaced the anode out.
My guess, & I'm no expert, is that no one ever replaced the antifreeze, & it turned to acid & ate up the head-gasket. I've had this happen plenty of times with cars, cause I never changed the antifreeze enough.
However, the antifreeze in this engine is pristine looking. Green, no foul odors, looks great.
So, if this is the issue, can I quick-fix it by pouring some pepper into the antifreeze at the top of the black-pipe (I think it's called a heat-exchang?) Or, would it be better to buy a torque wrench, & peel the gasket off & put some liquid-gasket on there & reseal it? I've used some good stop-leak stuff before, Barr's makes some good stop-leak, but I'm not sure about doing this on a Atomic 4, or if this is even the problem. Antifreeze is supposed to show up in the oil w/ a head-gasket leak, not the spark-plugs, right?

1 more thing, where's the strainer for the water intake? I found the seacock, but I'm not sure what the strainer looks like. And how can you tell how much fuel is in the tank? Alberg 35
So, what's the quick solution here?

[67c&ccorv]

I would try C4.

[hanleyclifford]

It would be helpful to show us a picture of this stuff in the spark plug well. In the meantime I would perform a pressure test of the block water chamber.

[hanleyclifford]

I would try C4.

Yes, there are few issues that cannot be settled with C4.

[lat 64]

lots o questions.

Well, lets start with the sweet taste. Yes, that must be antifreeze (or spilled soda pop).

Any moisture can cause the rust you see. Mine was a deck leak.

Why do you think it's salt water just because you left the sea cock open? that does not make sense. It is antifreeze coolant in the head(and the rest of the block).

Smoke can be lots of things. need more data on that.

In 40+ years of running engines in Alaska I'v never heard of ethylene glycol turning to acid. It may become acidic, and I have heard some sensitive aluminum castings(SAAB, Subaru, Volvo) need a good brand of antifreeze, but I'm rather ignorant about that. I sure don't think the a-4 cares much about what's in it's water jacket.

If there is a zinc in the system, it may be left over from before the engine was converted to FWC. I can't figure out what you mean by "coolant pipe".
Perhaps more data here too. maybe a small photo?

If you have no scruples and you are selling the boat to an enemy, then yes, go ahead and put stop leak or bread crumbs or bird poo in the coolant. I doubt it will work though. But if you want to enjoy the satisfaction of acquiring new skills and pride of a job done well, then do the repair properly.

Re. 1 more thing:
I think you can answer this better than anyone here except maybe an Alberg owner. And even then, Your boat is most likely not configured as it was when new. I'm afraid you will have to look for it.

Welcome,

Russ

[Administrator]

Remember that the sweet tasting stuff you're describing is poisonous. Many a dog has died from a spill/leak on a garage floor.

Bill

[ndutton]

Let's get some solid info before making decisions, disassembling and/or jumping to conclusions.

• Hanley's suggestion of a cooling system pressure test is spot on. Please do this and report back.
• If a replacement head is indicated (my guess is it's likely), it's an easy repair and should be done right. No peeling and reusing gaskets, no liquid gasket, no cooling system additives or stop-leak. Do it right the first time.
• 1963 late model?? My information is the late model configuration was introduced in 1967. I'm wondering if you have a hybrid (early model engine with late model head).

[msauntry]

Seacock on my Alberg 35 is towards the aft end of the engine on the starboard side. Follow the hose from that and it will lead you to the strainer.

Many a previous owner could have changed things in the past five decades, though...

Recommend NOT putting stop leak in the system. It will clog up other things that need to not be clogged.

I noticed coolant in my spark plug holes the other day and realized the "crossover tube" hose clamps were loose. This is the short section of hose on the top and forward end of the engine... it connects the thermostat housing to the manifold. It had leaked from here and trickled into the spark plug holes.

[lat 64]

Seacock on my Alberg 35 is towards the aft end of the engine on the starboard side. Follow the hose from that and it will lead you to the strainer.

Many a previous owner could have changed things in the past five decades, though...

Recommend NOT putting stop leak in the system. It will clog up other things that need to not be clogged.

I noticed coolant in my spark plug holes the other day and realized the "crossover tube" hose clamps were loose. This is the short section of hose on the top and forward end of the engine... it connects the thermostat housing to the manifold. It had leaked from here and trickled into the spark plug holes.

Oh man! I forgot. That happened to me too. Sorry liveaboardL, I spaced that. It's a very good lead. Check it out. Antifreeze leaks are a bit tricky to track down. The stuff likes too creep in all directions and does not always drip straight down.

[jpian0923]

Pics, Pics, and more Pics...and as much video as you can upload. This forum will solve it fast with visuals.

Do you have cylinder compression numbers yet? We need those.

[marthur]

I'm wondering if you have a hybrid (early model engine with late model head).

There were a number of engines made when the change from early to late model that had the early model block and the late model head. 1963 seems a little early for the block to have been one of those, but it could have been stuck in the back of the storeroom....

[edwardc]

... I'm wondering if you have a hybrid (early model engine with late model head)....

Entirely possible. All of the Moyer-rebuilt engines that have an early-model block have been built up with late-model parts everywhere else. (I know because I have one!)