Oil in Manifolds/Risors

[SeaSport]

Looking for a little help...

First off, I must clarify that I am no rocket scientist when it comes to motors and I'm even dumber when the motor is in a boat.

Here's my problem. Last week, in preparation for the cold, I drained my manifolds/risors and found oil in the water. Have not noticed this before. The water is usually a little dirty, but this left a slight oil slick in the bilge. There seemed to be more oil on the port side. I'm smart enough to know that this is not a good thing.

The oil in the engine is at normal level and does not appear to have any water in it. The boat had been running just fine. Temp and oil pressure fine.

Someone mentioned the oil might be coming from my power steering system. Checked the power steering fluid and it's ok. I hear that there is an oil cooler on the port side of the engine that cools the power steering system. I looked for it, but I am actually taller than 1' 6", so seeing where it is is almost imposible. I'll get a mirror and try again next time I'm in the boat.

Soooooo, is there anyone here who has experienced this? If so, what is the fix? Is it something a moron can fix?

The boat is a '98 Seasport Sportsman w/ a 5.0 (GM 305) Volvo-Penta w/ fresh water cooling.

I'll take any advice you guys can muster.

[fishkisser]

O K heres a question for ya ... Did you fog your motor before draining the manifolds ... This could cause the slick your talkin about .... Other than that it sounds like a cracked block or blown headgasket...

[SeaSport]

No, didn't fog. I wasn't winterizing, cuz I use the boat all winter. I was just getting the water out so It didn't freeze and crack the block.

I originally thought the cracked block/blown head gasket think too. Some others have told me that that is probably not likely, since there is no water in the engine oil. I'm still not completely ruling that out...

I'm really hoping it's a leak from the power steering oil cooler!!!

[fishkisser]

I gotcha...:crazy: If She's running fine you can just keep monitoring fluid levels ... Did you pull the plugs and check how they are burning ? Sometimes a cracked oil ring on the piston or a worn valve guide can attribute to oil in the exahust also ...:D Barney

P.S. Head gaskets can blow out between oil passages as well as the water jacket or between cyliders the possibilitys are endless...

[SeaSport]

Plugs are fine... Not sure why you give me the "crazy" smiley? I pretty much said that I didn't know anything for sure and was just hoping for some help/suggestions...

[fishkisser]

Chill Fry .... I'm not directing the smiley at you ...

[stream2.5]

do a cooling system pressure check, if it bleads off into the risers you found your problem.... but most commonly its the gasket between the riser and the manifold allowing exhaust to enter the cooling water path at an idle when water floww is minimal it may settle in the manifolds tighter sections..... the oily residue could be as simple as a rich exhaust mixture mixing with the manifolds.. but you are correct in having a second look... it may be time to replace the manifolds and risers....

[chucks electric]

hello, you were told correctly a common place for oil in the cooling system is heat exchangers. there is more oil pressure than cooling system pressure so its a one way leak. both engine oil and power steering. check the rear of the engine.
unless your head is less than 4" wide its hard to see below the manifolds on a sea sport. mac's radiator can repair it if it is leaking. also the port side is were the oil filter is double check with your mirror and see if it has a remote filter and if it does then check the adapter to engine and lines.
use a white rag to wipe down part one at a time until you locate the leak.
hope this helps.