www.iFourWinns.com

so have an 87 3.7L in a 195 and while running it looks like a lot of vapors are coming out of the tube....if it were a car I would call it blow-by. How much should be coming out of there? Also, this tube is supposed to just be in a clamp along side of the flame arrestor or is it supposed to go INTO the flame arrestor for gasses to be recycled through carb? Thank you

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1987 Sundowner 195, 4.3 OMC " Z boat"
1983 Wellcraft 248 Sportsman, 3.0L OMC Sea Drive "Born Again"
9' Patriot 40lbs TM "Quack Addict"

An engine is an engine. It's still called blow-by. rings are worn.

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1981 Columbia 8.7
2015 Yamaha FZR - 87mph - sold
2006 Yamaha GP1300R - sold
2003 Chaparral 215 SSI - sold
2009 Stingray 195CS - sold
2000 Four Winns H180 - sold
1976 O'day Daysailer II - sold
Rick's Four Winns H180 Mods/Upgrade Thread

"is it supposed to go INTO the flame arrestor for gasses to be recycled through carb?" Yes it is, I want to say "up to it, but not in it."

Are you finding oil the the water after running the engine?

Ok, because I was looking online and saw some pictures of that tube going into the flame arrestor. I havent checked the coolant for oil but I am not getting coolant/water in the oil; think that if I am not getting that mixed, it shouldnt be getting in the coolant either...

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1987 Sundowner 195, 4.3 OMC " Z boat"
1983 Wellcraft 248 Sportsman, 3.0L OMC Sea Drive "Born Again"
9' Patriot 40lbs TM "Quack Addict"

The PCV vent goes into the flame arrestor. I would do a compression test though

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1981 Columbia 8.7
2015 Yamaha FZR - 87mph - sold
2006 Yamaha GP1300R - sold
2003 Chaparral 215 SSI - sold
2009 Stingray 195CS - sold
2000 Four Winns H180 - sold
1976 O'day Daysailer II - sold
Rick's Four Winns H180 Mods/Upgrade Thread

I may have miss-lead you. I know on the Mercs, they go right up to the arrester. There is standoff/holder that comes off the top from the though bolt & is S shaped to put it in from of the arrestor. On the Volvos, I just don't know. BUT, now I will have to look tonight at my service manual for my boat.

Oh yeah I do plan on doing a compression test now that there is a possibility of blow by. It has plenty of power though...I can pull a wakeboarder with no problem with passengers on board and can cruise at 35.
Paul... ha ha, sorry didnt mean to cause confusion. I understood what you said but, I guess I have been working on outboards for a while and this is my first stern drive boat so I just wanted to make sure I am doing this stuff correctly. I know that I need to order a book for the engine... I havent seen alot of pictures of 3.7's close enough to see where that tube goes...on the 470 (170hp) I saw the tube went directly INTO the flame arrestor. Thanks guys

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1987 Sundowner 195, 4.3 OMC " Z boat"
1983 Wellcraft 248 Sportsman, 3.0L OMC Sea Drive "Born Again"
9' Patriot 40lbs TM "Quack Addict"

Some "Blow by" occurs in all engines; thet's why the have PCV valves. cheaper to begin with to check the PCV valve than assuming new rings required (maybe choked open by build up over many years; Ford UK in the 1970/80's used to recommend cleaning them in petrol etc

PS On my (later) VP the hose it attached to the outside of the flame arrestor.

Ok, sorry for the delayed reply. I will check the hole in the valve cover where the hose is and clean it well. Actually....I think the more I run it, the less visible the vapors. I will do a compression check in the mean time though just to make sure. THank you very much for the replies everyone

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1987 Sundowner 195, 4.3 OMC " Z boat"
1983 Wellcraft 248 Sportsman, 3.0L OMC Sea Drive "Born Again"
9' Patriot 40lbs TM "Quack Addict"

As you run it more if the amount of vapors goes down then you have moisture in the engine. I just had one in the shop that had the same issue, so much moisture it would kill the engine at idle. 2 oil changes later and about 20 minutes of run time it ran like a top and no more issues.

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Brian Borchik
The Winds of Cold Springs Harbor Marina
Baldwinsville, NY

Oh ok...well, I havent changed the oil yet so Ill do that today. Good to hear! Now I got my hopes up a little more. Thanks for everything gents

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1987 Sundowner 195, 4.3 OMC " Z boat"
1983 Wellcraft 248 Sportsman, 3.0L OMC Sea Drive "Born Again"
9' Patriot 40lbs TM "Quack Addict"