Antifreeze in the Carburator

[Dennis Mominee]

Greetings. I recently winterized my Atomic 4 which included flushing antifreeze through my raw water cooling system (with engine running) and draining the carburetor of gasoline. Today I decided to check/adjust my valve push rod clearances. I turned the engine over by hand quite a few times to get to the #1 TDC position. When I took off the carburetor, I found that it was filled with antifreeze. Could my hand cranking have caused this, or do I have an exhaust manifold gasket failure? Previous cylinder compression readings all fell into the middle 80 PSIs. Thanks.

[keelcooler]

Dennis, Yes sounds like you filled up the exhaust when turning over w/a water trap type muffler system. Turn off intake,blow out combustion chambers and treat w/MMO. I would run and winterize again after blow out .Check oil for signs of antifreeze.

[zellerj]

I doubt if turning it over a few times to get to TDC would cause the water lift muffler to fill up so that antifreeze would get into your carb. I would look for another cause.

[ndutton]

Both previous posters make valid points. Here's my $.02: compression readings indicate your head/head gasket/valve train are intact which leaves only over cranking (Keel's suggestion) or a compromised manifold. Is the waterlift full or exhaust hot section wet internally? If not, the manifold is suspect.

[Dennis Mominee]

It turns out the red fluid I found in the carb was actually MMO that I had previously squirted into the cylinders to soak the valves. The MMO is the same color as the antifreeze I used. I discovered this after rethinking what I had done in the winterizing process and by hand cranking the engine some more without the carb on. MMO came out the manifold. I finished the valve adjustments -they were all to tight - and am now looking forward to spring. Thanks for your input.