www.iFourWinns.com

I just finished replacing the exhaust manifolds and risers in my recently purchased 1996 Horizon 190 to cure an overheating problem. The boat ran perfect and cool all weekend. I dropped the boat off at my local marina to have it winterized and they tell me that there is water in my oil. I must have checked the dipstick at leat four time this weekend and the oil was always "clear". There are signs that the overheating condition has occured for a long time. (the bilge pump hose and blower tubes were melted and all the exhaust rubber hoses were burnt and distorted) My guess is that I am looking at either a blown head gasket(s) or a cracked block. Is there an easy test to determine which it is? Would the boat run perfectly with a blown gasket or cracked block? As always, any help and guidance is greatly appreciated.

Steve D.

Getting water in the oil is actually a really hard thing to do, and if you did anything that could get water in the oil you'd know about it because the engine wouldn't be running or it would be making weird noises and shaking the boat.

It's a good chance the mechanic is just trying to get money out of you, it's very common

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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

Have you used this marina/mechanic before? Do you trust their word? Like ric suggested, it "could" be a load of bs to get your $$$. Take it to another shop and get a second opinion, especially with something that has the potential to be very expensive. However:

That is not good. That indicates almost pegged temps for sustained time, which could result in head gasket and/or cracked block. As far as any specific test to determine which? Not that I am aware of. First thing I would do is go to the marina, crawl up inside and check the oil yourself.

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1996 205 Sundowner DLX
5.0FL Volvo SX Cobra
Tow Veh: 2012 Nissan Frontier Pro-4X