Why is it doing that? - Exhaust Smoke

[MarinaDelRey]

I have a 1974 Ericson 27 with an original Atomic 4 engine.

I also don't know anything about engines....other than to give a guy $100 + parts once a year to tune it up.

In the last few weeks/months the exhaust smoke has been getting thicker. I don't remember seeing much smoke at all in the past. Now it's a spitting out a constant cloud of white smoke.

I feel like this group would know how I could trouble shoot that so that I can either fix it myself or get the help I need.

What do you all think?

[scratchee]

Are you sure it's smoke and not steam? Is there any loss of power?

[roadnsky]

Are you berthed IN Marina Del Rey?

[sastanley]

Welcome..we will need a little more info..but we are always happy to work with new gearheads to learn their motor better!!

[MarinaDelRey]

Are you sure it's smoke and not steam? Is there any loss of power?

There is no loss of power. It could be steam...but in really lingers in the air so it feels particulate like smoke.

How do I confirm if it's steam?

Here is a picture

https://photos.app.goo.gl/yuj94PfmHmm8VPL96

[MarinaDelRey]

Welcome..we will need a little more info..but we are always happy to work with new gearheads to learn their motor better!!

Great. What information would you need?

[MarinaDelRey]

Are you berthed IN Marina Del Rey?

I am in Marina Del Rey!

[JOHN COOKSON]

Was the picture taken was the engine fully warmed up and at what RPM (idle or in gear?)? Does the smoke\steam become less or go away when the engine is fully warmed up? What do the spark plugs look like? Is the choke open all the way? Is the back flame arrestor dirty? When was the last tune up done? Have you checked the dipstick lately? Does the steam\smoke come out in sort of a cloud when you increase RPMs after idling for awhile?
More as I think on it. Others will be along soon.

ex TRUE GRIT

[Peter]

Have you been checking the oil level? If it is oil smoke you should notice the oil level going down.

Peter

[MarinaDelRey]

Was the picture taken was the engine fully warmed up and at what RPM (idle or in gear?)? Does the smoke\steam become less or go away when the engine is fully warmed up? What do the spark plugs look like? Is the choke open all the way? Is the back flame arrestor dirty? When was the last tune up done? Have you checked the dipstick lately? Does the steam\smoke come out in sort of a cloud when you increase RPMs after idling for awhile?
More as I think on it. Others will be along soon.

ex TRUE GRIT

Great questions, all. I'll take a look this weekend and see if how many answers I can gather.

Here's what I know so far:

The smoke/steam doesn't go away after she is warmed up.
The choke was open all the way - I run the risk of stalling at lower RPMs so I have the idea that keeping the choke out will help that.
Last tune up was 7 months ago.

[JOHN COOKSON]

The choke was open all the way - I run the risk of stalling at lower RPMs so I have the idea that keeping the choke out will help that.
.

Couple of possibilities.
Crud in the carburetor idle circuit. There are a couple of small holes (jets) in the carburetor throat by the throttle butterfly that feed gas to the engine when it is at idle RPM. If these holes become plugged the engine will not idle.
Sticky advance. If the advance is stuck in the advanced position the engine will never idle correctly.

ex TRUE GRIT

[roadnsky]

The choke was open all the way - I run the risk of stalling at lower RPMs so I have the idea that keeping the choke out will help that.

If you're running with choke fully open, then that could certainly be the SOURCE of the exhaust smoke.
(ur running too rich and seeing unburnt fuel)

If this is indeed the case, we'll need to walk you thru dialing in the proper mixture on your carb.
Possibly do a carb cleaning as well.

[ArtJ]

Are you adding MMO (Marvel Mystery oil ) or other to Gas?

and what temperature is your Engine running at?
Are you fresh water or salt water cooled?

Best Art

[MarinaDelRey]

It's Steam! And the cooling system is probably broken.

Great questions, all. I'll take a look this weekend and see if how many answers I can gather.

Here's what I know so far:

The smoke/steam doesn't go away after she is warmed up.
The choke was open all the way - I run the risk of stalling at lower RPMs so I have the idea that keeping the choke out will help that.
Last tune up was 7 months ago.

I've done some troubleshooting per the above, and I've made an even bigger problem. That's ok because I have a little bit more clarity

I concluded that the smoke was actually steam, so that is helpful to know. I also ran the engine for longer than I usually do getting in and out of the marina and it overheated (my heat gauge is broken, so the engine actually started to smell and I saw a wisp of smoke.

I docked while under sail, and let the engine cool for a day. When I started it up again - No steam - and also no water coming out of the exhaust. BUT it quickly overheated.

I think the issue has to do with the cooling system. I watched a video on replacing impellers but I haven't tried it yet. I see that some engines have a raw water pump in the front of the engine, but mine only has the pump that is tucked in the back which I think is a fresh water pump.

My question to this group is - how do I trouble shoot the cooling system?

[Easy Rider]

If it's over heating the first and simplest thing I would do is remove the fitting at the aft end of the manifold where the water line to the exhaust is connected and confirm that it's not plugged up with crud. Don't ask me how I know.