Hello all,
I appreciate all the advice in helping to track down a classic Glastron that I received in an earlier thread. Now the next phase starts so a little background and I hope some advice along with hoe that it isn't too bad.
Last weekend I purchased a 1981 SSV-164 in Minnesota and brought it back to Wisconsin. It was sold on consignment and the dealer didn't have much information on the boat. Dealer did start it and we test drove it for about 30 minutes at all kinds of speed to ensure all aspects of the boat were working properly. Being new to the boat buying process I likely missed a few questions and probably should paid the dealer to do a thorough engine inspection -- lesson learned.
Once I got it to Wisconsin, I wanted to have someone with more experience than I have check the boat and so I took it to Badger Marine in Nekoosa, Wisconsin to let them change the oil and just do a more thorough inspection. The first thing they did was to change points and condenser since they had some starting issues with it. Once they did that, they told me the engine fires up and runs well....it ran well on the test drive too (from my experience) BUT when they went to change the oil they found water in it. So that is Day 1.
They advised that it could range from being just some condensation to a cracked block and multiple issues in between so they are working to track down the source of the water, but they are warning me it "could be bad" which from all the stories of not winterizing I always knew could be a possibility.
The engine is 140 mercruiser, looked very clean when I stuck my head into the engine compartment with a flashlight.
So Day 2 - they have flushed the engine 3 times with new oil and each time they run it they are finding water in the oil.
I have attempted to read up on this topic but I was wondering if their is a systematic trouble shooting procedure they should be working through just so I sound a bit more knowledgeable when I speak with them?
I have read about an exhaust flapper, bad head gasket, cracked manifold (where on the manifold?) and cracked block.
My fingers are crossed, toes too, rabbit foot in my pocket and I am searching for some saint of GM marine engines to say a prayer too right now.
I was thinking that a cracked head or block would have been an obvious thing to catch during the test drive and I of course made a fundamental flaw and didn't check the oil on the dipstick. I thought about, looked at it but was just too enthusiastic about the boat.
I have seen and heard automotive engines with cracked heads and these were "obvious" but I guess not so much on a marine engine.
Appreciate thoughts or perspectives.
Thanks - Bob
