Posted by arthur heyman (66.2.160.113) on June 30, 2004 at 17:11:14:
Sea water in 2 cylinders (sometimes !) closest to exhaust.
Head gasket and new exhaust system done 2 years (50 hours aprox) ago. Problem stopped. Six weeks ago in high pitching sea, it happened again; salt water in aft two cylinders ; pulled plugs, cranked engine , replaced with new plugs – engine started.
Added anti-siphon valve , and flap over exhaust port on transom ; motor –sailed for six days (15 hours on engine ?) in calm sea, engine fine.
3 days ago in 3 foot sea with 30 degree heal , again salt water in engine.
Aft cylinder has pressure of 60 PSI, then 80, 90 and 120 PSI as of yesterday.
Exhaust pipe rises perhaps six inches from manifold ; as it turns down to muffler , water from engine joins it ; it then drops a foot to muffler , then continues (1 ½ inch ID) to rise towards transom , and then drops for the last foot or so to exit the boat.
Q: can this be an occasionally failing head gasket ? If not, and it is the set up of the exhaust piping , why did this not happen all of last year ??? Feeling very frustrated ; any thoughts greatly appreciated .