Cable Mariner
New member
My 1997 Ocean Runner 200 is running quite well. I have however noted what appears to be salt accumulations around the head/block interface that would indicate some seepage across the head gasket from the water jacket to the outside. Plugs all look good so it does not appear that water is getting into any cylinders. you can also observe rust bleeds on the edges of the head gaskets. I assume there are metallic particles interwoven into the gasket material
Is this worth pulling the heads to renew the gaskets? I'm wondering if the head gaskets could fail at some point in the other direction ending up with water in the cylinders. I'm pretty sure they are original and that the heads have never been off. My main concern is getting a good seal when re-installing the heads. I'm worried about the heads having taken a set over the years. On a rebuild of an old motor you would have the heads and block decked so this would never be an issue. What do you think am I overthinking this? A good PM measure seeing as the gaskets are weeping to the outside world?
Is this worth pulling the heads to renew the gaskets? I'm wondering if the head gaskets could fail at some point in the other direction ending up with water in the cylinders. I'm pretty sure they are original and that the heads have never been off. My main concern is getting a good seal when re-installing the heads. I'm worried about the heads having taken a set over the years. On a rebuild of an old motor you would have the heads and block decked so this would never be an issue. What do you think am I overthinking this? A good PM measure seeing as the gaskets are weeping to the outside world?