1999 Westerbeke Generator Water In Oil

T

t2626mb

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Dec 29, 2004
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15968
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I found out during an oil change on my Westerbeke generator that I have a lot of liquid in the oil. I'm really puzzled how it's getting there. First off, I don't believe it's coolant, so I don't think the head gasket is bad. The coolant is completely full and I get about a quart more in the oil from running for 15 minutes (engine holds 3 qt.). I just can't see how water could get into the engine. The generator fires right up and runs great. I've read threads on this issue where people are saying the water pump is bad, but the W/P or systyem on this unit is not connected to the engine in any way. Westerbeke has a note talking about water in oil from "a fault in the exhaust system attached to the engine and siphoning through the raw water cooling and into the engine". Not sure what this means? Has anyone ever had this issue and how was it fixed?
Thanks
 
Your comment about a quart in 15 minutes indicated raw water getting to the oil. Where do they intersect? I assume there is no oil cooler. Could you have had a winter freeze up cracking something?

Excessive cranking without starting can flood the engine as the water lift muffler over fills. A submerged exhaust could siphon back if no siphon break is working.
You can rent coolant pressure testers at some auto stores to pressurize the system to look for leaks. Fortunately is seems that you are in MI and fresh water that will cause little damage if dealt with promptly.
 
Thanks Bruce. There is no point in the engine where the water and oil intersect. There is a heat exchanger for the coolant, but not oil. I'm still not clear how cranking the engine can suck water from the exhaust hole all the way back into the engine. What would be creating the vacuum on the exhaust side?
 
cranking a generator with no start is clearly a cause for water ingestion. Not all installations require a syphon break.
 
Generators typically use waterlift muffler which need exhaust pressure to lift the water out the discharge exhaust. Crank too long and the muffler will fill up and water can back up into the engine

Does the water get in while it s running or just sitting? If while sitting donyou have a siphon break after the raw water pump ? If the exhaust manifold is less than 12" above water line you need one
 
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