condensation in the motor

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HammerDown

New member
Are any of you other jet boat guys getting condensation in your engine? I am getting a thin coat of white oily snot looking stuff on the underside of my valve covers. I've heard its from not letting the temp get up enough to evap the condensation.

I don't do a lot of cruising around.  Just go out make a pass park it.  Have a few beers, make another pass. 

I've done quite a bit of reading and researching on this.  Just wondering if anybody else was dealing with this deal.
 
D

Disturbed

Active member
Yep.  Since I noticed it last year, I try to let the engine warm up as much as possible.  So far this year, it's still there just not nearly as bad. 
 
3

3boatpaul

New member
just the nature of the deal.-------not enough heat.  i get it up here in shreveport just letting the boat sit up for a bit in the shop and get milked just sitting there .all has to do with the temp. and humidety.
 
Devilman

Devilman

Well-known member
I get it from time to time... from not building enough heat in the engine is what I have come up with after talking to folks/researching it. You could probably burn it out of there making a long run out across the lake or whatever...

After milkshaking one awhile back, first time I saw it I freaked, lol.... Now I don't worry about it too much. It doesn't happen too often anymore. I think its from adding alcohol, lolol, j/k... :rolleyes: :cheesy: :grin:
 
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HammerDown

New member
Devilman said:
I get it from time to time... from not building enough heat in the engine is what I have come up with after talking to folks/researching it. You could probably burn it out of there making a long run out across the lake or whatever...

After milkshaking one awhile back, first time I saw it I freaked, lol.... Now I don't worry about it too much. It doesn't happen too often anymore. I think its from adding alcohol, lolol, j/k... :rolleyes: :cheesy: :grin:
Click to expand...

Yeah talk about freaking out.... I tore the top end off the motor looking for gasket issues.  I noticed it some last summer but I blew some oil out of the dip stick tube and noticed a little milk. Still going to do a leak down and compression test just to cover all bases.
 
John

John

New member
Devilman said:
I get it from time to time... from not building enough heat in the engine is what I have come up with after talking to folks/researching it. You could probably burn it out of there making a long run out across the lake or whatever...

After milkshaking one awhile back, first time I saw it I freaked, lol.... Now I don't worry about it too much. It doesn't happen too often anymore. I think its from adding alcohol, lolol, j/k... :rolleyes: :cheesy: :grin:
Click to expand...

times 2

noticed it also a year or so ago, and definite cloudiness in the oil, went to the lake got it hot clear as a bell
 
73 Sanger Flat

73 Sanger Flat

Active member
I also get a small amount in the valve covers . I also was concerned with this new engine .. I ran it about 20 minutes and had a small amount on the valve covers .. Pulled the valve covers and ran the valves and there was not much at all in there ..

The oil looked fine in the pan ..

My water temp finally got up to maybe 150 and oil temp after 20 minutes was still only 200-210.. Not hot enough to burn it back out ..

Pretty sure this is normal . But last year I did not have any milky stuff in the valve covers .. Wish I would not have any at all ..
 
Crusader

Crusader

Moderator
When I pulled my covers a few weks ago, I was VERY worried about the milky oil I saw in and around the valve springs and the covers. Last weekend, I ran the boat for a long period of time, checked the oil and discovered it was not there anymore. Glad to hear I probably do not have a problem.

 
R

Red Horse

Member
I used to get condensation when I ran up Black Canyon on the Colorado River below Hoover dam. The water there was like 50-60 degrees coming out of the bottom of Lake Mead. Most jet boats do not run a T Stat so the engine stays cool and then condensation forms on the underside of the valve covers. You could insulate your valve covers (how uncool would that be) or run your boat more and let the temp get up some.
 
H

HammerDown

New member
Red Horse said:
I used to get condensation when I ran up Black Canyon on the Colorado River below Hoover dam. The water there was like 50-60 degrees coming out of the bottom of Lake Mead. Most jet boats do not run a T Stat so the engine stays cool and then condensation forms on the underside of the valve covers. You could insulate your valve covers (how uncool would that be) or run your boat more and let the temp get up some.
Click to expand...


Thats the deal, we ran a little this weekend and water was about 64* (i know cause my drunk ass jumped in) and like posted before I let it heat up minimal then stand on the loud pedal and idle back over to the parking spot. Plus I had the water valve open all the way, reconfigured my cooling system a little over the winter and left the ball valve wide open...so lots of cold water circulating.

It will be worth the leak down just to make sure theres no hidden problems. clean everything off, change oil and filter and put my foot back in it.

What are you guys running for crank case evacs?
 
M

Michael Swindoll

New member
Its kinda on the hi side :smile13: but if you run a vac. pump then you wont have to worry about it.  I run a moroso vac. pump but jegs sales a electric one that's not to bad on cost. and vac. pumps will increase your hp in some cases
 
H

HammerDown

New member
I'm leaning toward the weld in bungs on the headers, I dont have anything right now and I keep blowing the dipstick tube out. But the tube really is'nt installed "by the book".  I'm going to fix that first and a little valve cover issue I've got going on then run some evac on it and see if that will clean it up some.
 
M

Michael Swindoll

New member
PVC valve will help but the evacs you will still get the condensation because your motor is not sealed and when the motor go's from hot to cold and the humidity is let in for it to sweat the water and oil mix its turns to milk, but with a vacuum pump it is sealed the pump pulls the vacuum for the motor and no moisture is allowed in. dose that make any sense are help?
 
Devilman

Devilman

Well-known member
Yessir, that does. I've heard of folks running vacuum pumps, but never really knew the skinny on it. Thanks for throwin that out there... clap.gif


Matter of fact Duane has one on his Sanger, I just figured he was tryin to be a fancy-pants, lol.. :grin:

just kiddin Duane... :cheesy:
 
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