T
Tony Jones
Guest
"Hi, I found this forum while
"Hi, I found this forum while trying to research a problem I've found in a boat I just bought.
The boat is a 1990 Harbercraft/Jetcraft 1975XL with a Chevy V8 w/ a Kodiak pump. There are about 430 hours on the engine.
When I bought the boat the guy selling it to me ran it, pointed out various things for me, told me the batteries didn't seem to be holding a charge, etc. Stupidly I did not look at the oil. Now a month and a thousand miles of towing later, I finally have had some time to play with my new toy.
Before starting the boat I checked the coolant (a little low), and the oil... which was a very consistant cloudy / milky gray-green. I've seen a couple blown head gaskets before (Cars), but they always showed as some froth / milkyness at the top of the dipstick - this was a consistant color / texture the entire length. After that I started the engine and ran it for a about 30 seconds - sounded ok.
So, given that suposedly the boat has not been run much this or last season is there anything this could be besides water in the oil? If not, is there anyway that water could get in the oil other than a head/block leak? (condensation?)
Also, what should the oil look like if if there is water in it? I would expect the water and oil to separate if left long enough. Is this true or false?
Anything else I should look at? I was thinking of starting the engine and looking at the coolant resevoir to look for bubbles - is this safe or am I going to destroy my engine trying this?
I don't mind getting my hands dirty and I'm reasonably handy, but do not have any space to work (or many tools). What should my next move be?
If it is a head gasket, any idea on the aproximate cost of having a mechanic replace it? Can anyone suggest a good / reasonable marine mechanic is Seattle?
Any / all help is greatly apreciated! Thanks, Tony"
"Hi, I found this forum while trying to research a problem I've found in a boat I just bought.
The boat is a 1990 Harbercraft/Jetcraft 1975XL with a Chevy V8 w/ a Kodiak pump. There are about 430 hours on the engine.
When I bought the boat the guy selling it to me ran it, pointed out various things for me, told me the batteries didn't seem to be holding a charge, etc. Stupidly I did not look at the oil. Now a month and a thousand miles of towing later, I finally have had some time to play with my new toy.
Before starting the boat I checked the coolant (a little low), and the oil... which was a very consistant cloudy / milky gray-green. I've seen a couple blown head gaskets before (Cars), but they always showed as some froth / milkyness at the top of the dipstick - this was a consistant color / texture the entire length. After that I started the engine and ran it for a about 30 seconds - sounded ok.
So, given that suposedly the boat has not been run much this or last season is there anything this could be besides water in the oil? If not, is there anyway that water could get in the oil other than a head/block leak? (condensation?)
Also, what should the oil look like if if there is water in it? I would expect the water and oil to separate if left long enough. Is this true or false?
Anything else I should look at? I was thinking of starting the engine and looking at the coolant resevoir to look for bubbles - is this safe or am I going to destroy my engine trying this?
I don't mind getting my hands dirty and I'm reasonably handy, but do not have any space to work (or many tools). What should my next move be?
If it is a head gasket, any idea on the aproximate cost of having a mechanic replace it? Can anyone suggest a good / reasonable marine mechanic is Seattle?
Any / all help is greatly apreciated! Thanks, Tony"