Yesterday morning I took my new torque wrench and went back to the boat to wreak havoc. I torqued the head bolts, in sequence, to a smudge under 110, just like the manual said. Just about every bolt took a half turn. I then adjusted the valves and closed the rocker back up. Then I bypassed the hot water heater completely. I also gave all the exhaust header bolts a good crank.
With those projects done I fired her up and waited. Twenty minutes later there was some goop, and there was a not insignificant amount of coolant gone. That could have been due to air in the system, so I topped it off and ran it again. Thirty minutes later there was coolant missing again and the oil had started to get milky. I ran it again for another 30 minutes and lost a bit more coolant. I ran out of time and oil by this point, so testing stopped.
It doesn’t seem like any of that had any impact. Though I’ll probably give it one more shot after changing the oil again.
One of the most frustrating things about this is that the engine runs flawlessly. It’d be easy to be lulled into thinking nothing is wrong.
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So today I arrived and immediately opened up the expansion tank. Empty. As in E-M-P-T-Y. Overnight all of the coolant had drained out of the expansion tank. And no, it wasn’t on the floor of the bilge. A quick look at the dipstick confirmed that it was sitting in the oil pan—the dipstick read way above FULL.
Okay, well at least this is a very obvious clue. Right? I mean, at least I’m no longer saying, “Well, I think we’re losing a little coolant.”
I called Omar and he said there are two likely causes of this sort of thing (don’t quote me on any of this though, I have a hell of a time understanding him over the phone). One, a cracked cylinder. But he is 99% sure that isn’t it, because one, we had the head checked, and two, if it were cracked that badly it would be heating up to a very high temp very quickly. That isn’t happening at all. In fact, like I said above, the engine is running perfectly.
The second likely cause is a leak in the exhaust manifold, which is what he thought originally. In this case the coolant would be getting into the air chamber of the manifold and running directly into the cylinders and down into the oil pan. Again, please don’t quote me or correct me if I’m not explaining this perfectly. In my head I know the process, but I don’t really know any of the technical jargon.
He told me to take off the exhaust manifold and take a look inside the exhaust ports. If there is even a splash of coolant in there then I’ve probably solved the mystery.
So tomorrow that’s what I’ll do.
I gave American Diesel (the Ford Lehman specialists) a call and confirmed that they have exhaust manifolds for sale. They do—for $1,000.
Episode 57 of this saga coming tomorrow.
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On the boat today I worked on a few other projects as well. I started out by finishing up the wiring and install of the tachometer. That led me to cleaning up some other wiring in the engine compartment. Which led me to the battery compartment where I spent even more time cleaning up the wiring. It’s like climbing into a rabbit hole.
I also removed the windlass plate and dropped it off in a shop to let them drill out the sheared off bolts—hopefully without messing up the threads.
This is what our Shade Tree awning looks like after four months in San Carlos summer weather. It’s been washed twice, but the dirt stains don’t budge.
Meanwhile the inside of the boat is looking pristine as ever.
And besides the boat, life goes on around here as well.
15 Comments on “Could It Be The…”
Ha ha! Ouest climbing on a swinging gate, over concrete, playing with the electricity meter?
That will surely get some people in a tizzy…
Just finished reading your whole blog from start to finish and I enjoyed it very much. Thanks for letting me enjoy the world with you and your family. Keep living life on your terms and thanks again.
I trust you understand how to “retorque” a bolt…. You break it loose, then torque it.
take the hoses off the ex manifold and riser and plug them then refill the exp tank. If it stops losing water you found the prob.
I can fly down for a week of two to help just provide a bed and some food.lol
@Ctskip…in my experience, if you relax the bolt, you are starting from square one, I am not sure that is sound advice.
The need to re-torque is a condition of gasket type/construction.
If you used a Fel-Pro PermaTorque®gasket, your installation job is complete.
@Pat…think of a new exhaust manifold as a need….if it does not solve your problem…you will need it to install on a new block…and will be glad to have it 🙂
Just curious, have you inspected the engine zinc ?
Good Luck !
i have family coming down (SF Bay area and Minnesota) in the next week if you’re needing a mule. I can Estafeta it from here to there.
Assuming the exhaust manifold is fresh water cooled, Omar is probably right on option # 2? And assuming the manifold is lower than the expansion tank. Otherwise, cracked/broken block, assuming the head is OK? Keep us posted, very interesting. If the water pump is integral with the block, maybe a fracture there?
Paul T
I don’t know a thing about engines but it is still fascinating stuff.
BOAT = Break Out Another Thousand
Sorry to hear of your woos. Good luck with the fix.
Mark and Cindy
Pat,
The exhaust manifold does not sound like a root cause to me, do you have a lot of steam or whitish smoke in the exhaust? If not, then the coolant is not getting into the combustion or exhaust flow. You could pull the injectors and check each cylinder for signs of coolant, that would indicated failed gasket or cracked head or block at that cylinder. If you do not see coolant, then do a compression check. THis requires an adapter to get compression, but a local diesel mechanic should be able to do this for very cheap, 30 minute job to check all 4 cylinders.
I really think if the engine is running good, you should focus on the oil cooler. THey can fail after a cleaning, even if the passed a pressure test. COuld also be one of the gaskets if it a style with end plates.
Another comment, I also worked with Omar after taking on water over the top of the engine during hurricane Jimenas a few years back. He is good and I would trust what he has worked on.
Good luck,
Dan
I’m following the engine story with interest. It’s not only an intriguing mystery, but I like how – even though I have a feeling you could write a check for a new engine tomorrow – you don’t, but instead you keep on keeping on.
But what really made me write in was that last photo. Ouest looks so much like you (Pat)!
2 MONTHS! 2 months you bastard! (Yes, I am talking like we know each other because I have been closely following the last decade of your life and feel like I do)
FINALLY! Caught up! Hi Pat, Ali and the kids. I am Chuck, a cop from northern Indiana (Yes, I know, you hate me already) and was inspired by a book about a couple that quit their jobs after saving for 5 years to live and cruise on a boat. That led me to one of those sailing chat sites that everyone is jealous of you on and that led me to Bumfuzzle.com where I thought what your family is doing is awesome! I am just a tad older than you and plan in 6 years to move to the south and cruise. I am not as fortunate as you as I can just quit and go because I don’t have any financial ability to keep myself alive and just 5 years from my pension so it will have to wait and I’ll just continue to live my dream through your eyes (keyboard). Your family is lovely and you are a great Papa as Ali seems like a wonderful Mama! 2 very lucky kids rich beyond belief with their lives and your parenting. Just wanted to say Hi and thank you for the inspiration and motivation (my house on the market as we speak to start saving,, seriously) Maybe someday we’ll cross paths in some anchorage or marina and I promise to buy the pizza!
God speed!
Welcome Copper, glad you were finally able to catch up. Good luck with “The Plan.” Hope to see you out here.
Beautiful pictures as always!
As cruisers with a young daughter we love reading your blog, your approach and attitude continually inspires us!
Best of luck with the Engine 🙂
Thanks Craig, we appreciate it.