pkrawetzky
New member
Last year (2011) I noticed I was using some coolant over the summer season. The coolant was being drawn from the overflow container after the engine was stopped. But I couldn't figure out where it was going. The engine oil looked fine and no noticeable traces of coolant. Winterized the engine for the winter including removing and filling the crankcase with brand new oil but did not run it after the oil change.
3 weeks ago I explained this to the marina mechanic and he suggested a pressure test. He performed the test using 15 lbs of pressure (my heat exchanged cap is 7lbs) and it didn't move. He conducted the test for 1 hour. He also pulled the plugs and didn't notice anything out of the ordinary, plugs had good color and no moisture (I had not changed the plugs yet from last year).
This past weekend I was ready to do the plugs, etc for spring commisioning, pulled out the dip stick and much to my surprise saw green coolant running down the dipstick.
I met the mechanic at the marina and we did another pressue test. Pressurized to 15 lbs and it didn't move after 15 minutes. When he removed the test device you could hear the pressure escape so I know it was holding it. So back to square one.
I again removed the plugs on one side of the motor and looked in each cylinder to determine if there is any fluid in them. Nothing! From what I could see there was no water in the cylinders. I pulled one of the valve covers thinking maybe I would see something at the top of the engine, all looked good, no coolant visible. I also looked inside the engine best I could through some larger holes and the rods looked shiny and new. No rust. Now I know that is a limited view but I hope that would be encouraging.
After some further discussion, he seems to think it may be an intake manifold gasket problem. This also goes along with some internet searching I've done with similiar indications of coolant in the oil. And doing a general search (not marine specific) on the Chevy 454 engine block.
I'm just looking to get confirmation that this is the appopriate course of action. Has anyone else experienced this type of problem before? Thanks in advance for your input or suggestions. By the way the engine was rebuilt in 2004 with a remaned block (from Jasper engines), all other parts came off
the old engine.
Pete
3 weeks ago I explained this to the marina mechanic and he suggested a pressure test. He performed the test using 15 lbs of pressure (my heat exchanged cap is 7lbs) and it didn't move. He conducted the test for 1 hour. He also pulled the plugs and didn't notice anything out of the ordinary, plugs had good color and no moisture (I had not changed the plugs yet from last year).
This past weekend I was ready to do the plugs, etc for spring commisioning, pulled out the dip stick and much to my surprise saw green coolant running down the dipstick.
I met the mechanic at the marina and we did another pressue test. Pressurized to 15 lbs and it didn't move after 15 minutes. When he removed the test device you could hear the pressure escape so I know it was holding it. So back to square one.
I again removed the plugs on one side of the motor and looked in each cylinder to determine if there is any fluid in them. Nothing! From what I could see there was no water in the cylinders. I pulled one of the valve covers thinking maybe I would see something at the top of the engine, all looked good, no coolant visible. I also looked inside the engine best I could through some larger holes and the rods looked shiny and new. No rust. Now I know that is a limited view but I hope that would be encouraging.
After some further discussion, he seems to think it may be an intake manifold gasket problem. This also goes along with some internet searching I've done with similiar indications of coolant in the oil. And doing a general search (not marine specific) on the Chevy 454 engine block.
I'm just looking to get confirmation that this is the appopriate course of action. Has anyone else experienced this type of problem before? Thanks in advance for your input or suggestions. By the way the engine was rebuilt in 2004 with a remaned block (from Jasper engines), all other parts came off
the old engine.
Pete
