I haven't seen this one before
I switched over to Mobil 1 10-40 Racing 4T motorcycle oil last season. I have a note in my log book that says I also changed it when I layed it up in November, though I don't remember doing that. I do know that when I changed the oil to Mobil 1 it was murky and I remember thinking it was just cleaning out years of old gunk.
However,
The motor wouldn't start while prepping it for launch last week. Starting spray didn't work so I figured it must be an ignition problem.
But a friend helped me discover the reason was the oil pressure was too low so the switch prevented starting.
We pumped the "oil" out and it was mostly water! (Note to self, if the bilge is filthy with oil after sitting over the winter, it must have come from somewhere).
We changed oil three times to get it looking clean and then refilled with the 4T again. While running the motor to warm the oil at each change, we used a bucket filled from a hose and let the motor suck in cooling water.
After the third change, the A4 seems to start and run as normal.
The only source of water while on the hard should have been whatever antifreeze was left in the block when we pulled it out of Lake Michigan.
I know we have water dripping from the water pump area while running, and probably while sitting if I don't close the inlet through-hull. I also use an oil absorbent sock to pick up oil from the pan. I haven't traced down that oil leak.
So, my fears are
1) Water pump is leaking into the crankcase, as well as out of the pump.
2) Cooling water jacket is leaking into the crankcase.
Are there others? How to figure out what the real problem is?
We are scheduled to launch Wednesday (3 days away) but I'm hesitant to do that now. A little water drip from the pump wouldn't stop me, but if it's going into the motor that's a different story.
Thanks,
Jim
I switched over to Mobil 1 10-40 Racing 4T motorcycle oil last season. I have a note in my log book that says I also changed it when I layed it up in November, though I don't remember doing that. I do know that when I changed the oil to Mobil 1 it was murky and I remember thinking it was just cleaning out years of old gunk.
However,
The motor wouldn't start while prepping it for launch last week. Starting spray didn't work so I figured it must be an ignition problem.
But a friend helped me discover the reason was the oil pressure was too low so the switch prevented starting.
We pumped the "oil" out and it was mostly water! (Note to self, if the bilge is filthy with oil after sitting over the winter, it must have come from somewhere).
We changed oil three times to get it looking clean and then refilled with the 4T again. While running the motor to warm the oil at each change, we used a bucket filled from a hose and let the motor suck in cooling water.
After the third change, the A4 seems to start and run as normal.
The only source of water while on the hard should have been whatever antifreeze was left in the block when we pulled it out of Lake Michigan.
I know we have water dripping from the water pump area while running, and probably while sitting if I don't close the inlet through-hull. I also use an oil absorbent sock to pick up oil from the pan. I haven't traced down that oil leak.
So, my fears are
1) Water pump is leaking into the crankcase, as well as out of the pump.
2) Cooling water jacket is leaking into the crankcase.
Are there others? How to figure out what the real problem is?
We are scheduled to launch Wednesday (3 days away) but I'm hesitant to do that now. A little water drip from the pump wouldn't stop me, but if it's going into the motor that's a different story.
Thanks,
Jim
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