volvo penta kad32p

[sey249]

Hi i was hoping that somebody could help me with a problem i have found on my engine, i was checking levels etc when i saw a grey sludge covering the rocker box filler cap, upon looking closer i can see small droplets of water on the valve springs etc, does anyone have any ideas?

[Sonar]

Originally Posted by sey249

Hi i was hoping that somebody could help me with a problem i have found on my engine, i was checking levels etc when i saw a grey sludge covering the rocker box filler cap, upon looking closer i can see small droplets of water on the valve springs etc, does anyone have any ideas?

Help may be here

http://forums.iboats.com/Volvo-Penta/

[chewy]

Could be condensation that has formed in the rocker. Whats the oil like?

[sey249]

Hi thanks for your reply, having looked at the oil via the dipstick, it looks fine very black but no evidence of water and according to the service book the engine & outdrive were serviced 4 weeks ago, i am wondering if the dealer that sold me the boat realy had serviced the boat or just stamped the book, i am new to diesels my previous boat had a volvo penta 5.7 gxi petrol motor in it which gave me no problems for 12 years, and i never saw grey sludge in that motor, to my knowledge from an automotive point of view, if you have grey sludge in the rocker cover does it not signify headgasget problems?

[Nos4r2]

Originally Posted by sey249

if you have grey sludge in the rocker cover does it not signify headgasget problems?

Not really. Assuming it's been run since service,the rest of the oil would be grey too if there's a head gasket problem.

[Erin]

If it's emulsified oil (like mayonnaise) then it definitely means there's water in there. Either some natural condensation from lack of use or a gasket leak somewhere. The filler cap is the first place you see it as the water condenses on it being a cooler spot than most other parts of the engine.

[doggypaddle]

Also theres lots of other potential places water can get in the oil on marinised diesels.
headgasket, oil cooler, water to air charge cooler, exhaust manifold gasket,
all worth checking if the head does have to come off.
IMHO it probably just needs a good thrashing to drive the moisture out.
if it was anything more the whole lot would be like salad cream!

[cosworth mirage]

Diesel forms a grey sludge when it finds its way into an engine but it if your seeing water droplets in there it may well be water, I not sure if the injectors or leak off pipes are internal on this type of engine if they are its worth checking as this really screws the engine ,If the engine is closed cooling system you can keep an eye on the coolant level to see if your loosing any, try cleaning the gunk out and keep a close eye on everything p.s the grey gunk will stink of diesel if you have a leak .

[sey249]

Thanks for your replys gentlemen,i took the boat back to the dealers and they have said that it is condensation as the boat has been laid up on the viewing platform for a least a year,(which is true as i looked at it in March 09) however the mechanics have flushed the engine out with a thinner oil a couple of times and then replaced with new oil and filters, they also said that they have full confidence in the engine, so i suggested that if they have full confidence then they would not mind giving me a years warrenty instead of three months, which they have agreed to, happy days

[Nos4r2]

Originally Posted by sey249

Thanks for your replys gentlemen,i took the boat back to the dealers and they have said that it is condensation as the boat has been laid up on the viewing platform for a least a year,(which is true as i looked at it in March 09) however the mechanics have flushed the engine out with a thinner oil a couple of times and then replaced with new oil and filters, they also said that they have full confidence in the engine, so i suggested that if they have full confidence then they would not mind giving me a years warrenty instead of three months, which they have agreed to, happy days

Top marks that man !