SX230 Resurrection

[Brad_Ct]

Got thinking about the erratic voltages and it came to me that it could be a ground issue. I traced the black wire from the rectifier/regulator that I knew was a ground back to a 8 pin connector that had all black wires going into it and pulled the end of it, it turns out this a junction for all the grounds. Anyway the terminals were white like they had gotten wet, I cleaned with electrical cleaner put some dielectric grease on them put it back together and it started up.

Now I can get back to trying to figure out how I’m getting water in the oil.

 

[Brad_Ct]

@WREKS When you had issues with your cylinder head was the compression lower in that cylinder? I did a compression test yesterday and got the following readings, 146, 145, 145, and 152. I know they are low but this was with the engine cold, I would think if I had a blown head gasket or like in your case a eroded water jacket the compression would be significantly lower in that cylinder.

 

[WREKS]

@Brad_Ct A leak down test may be a better way to determine where the problem is, especially if the leak/beach is small. It leaked down to 40 psi on Cylinder #1.

 

[Brad_Ct]

Had a very productive day yesterday, I did a leak down test as @WREKS suggested and with a 90# test lost 12#, 7#, 7#, 2# in cylinders 1 - 4 past the rings as air was coming out the breather on the valve cover. Not great results but at least I know it’s not a head gasket and this engine was seized when I bought the boat so I’m honestly not surprised. Decided to pressure test the oil tank on the water side and discovered that when I introduced air it was coming out of the cylinders. I pulled the water box and pipe off to make sure it was not because of them and it made no difference so I pulled the other pipe off and found that #30 joint and #31 seal are destroyed and the sealing surface on the pipes are beyond being cleaned up.

Anyone have or know someone that has a exhaust system?

 

[WREKS]

@Brad_Ct You said, "Decided to pressure test the oil tank on the water side and discovered that when I introduced air it was coming out of the cylinders." That points back to the head gasket. #30 joint and #31 seal are downstream from the milky oil problem. If air can get into the cylinders, water/steam can also.

 

[Brad_Ct]

@Brad_Ct You said, "Decided to pressure test the oil tank on the water side and discovered that when I introduced air it was coming out of the cylinders." That points back to the head gasket. #30 joint and #31 seal are downstream from the milky oil problem. If air can get into the cylinders, water/steam can also.

There was no air pressure in the engine water jackets, the air that was going into the exhaust was from the outlet of the oil cooler and getting into the cylinders because of the bad seals. I’m not saying I don’t have other issues but this is definitely one.

 

[WREKS]

@Brad_Ct Can the stuff be filed off or has it corroded the metal. If it has corroded the metal, I would go with JB Weld after cleaning it up.

 

[Brad_Ct]

@Brad_Ct Can the stuff be filed off or has it corroded the metal. If it has corroded the metal, I would go with JB Weld after cleaning it up.

I’m not sue how much metal will be left after cleaning the corrosion off and the sealing surface will definitely not be good. I searched on EBay and found I can get some fresh water parts fairly inexpensive so I think I am just going to go that route.

 

[Brad_Ct]

Parts came in Wednesday, 24 & 36 used off EBay from N. Dakota, 23, 30, & 31 new and installed them yesterday. Hooked my laptop up this morning and port engine shows 25.3 hours and starboard shows 14.5 so obviously both ECMs have been replaced which is a hugh bonus. Ran port engine for approximately 20 minutes on the hose watching the data and engine temp. came up to 192.x degrees so I have a issue with overheating but no water in the oil after running it so the issue was definitely the exhaust seals. Starboard engine that I replaced ran with no issues, I’m getting closer to getting this damn thing in the water after 2 years of working on it LOL.

 

[Brad_Ct]

Yesterday I took the thermostat and pressure regulator assembly apart and they were both loaded with what I think is salt residue. While the cooling hoses were disconnected I blew air into the various lines and cleared quite a bit of the same substance. After putting everything back together I ran it on the hose for around 20 minutes and didn’t get any overheat alarms.

This morning I hooked my laptop up so I could monitor the engine temp. and ran the engine again for around 20 minutes and the temp. never got above 150 degrees then I flushed with salt away twice to try to clean the remainder of the crap out of the cooling system. I also removed the anode and the water jacket looks really clean at least in that area.

Still no water in the oil after running it for the last several days so I think I’m good there.

 

[WREKS]

@Brad_Ct I think that substance may be a microbial buildup that feeds on the residual water left in the engine cooling system. It is the same stuff that can build up in AC condensate drain lines when they do not drain adequately. I have been trying to keep the engine cooling system dry by revving engine up and down for 15 seconds after shutting off hose water. That procedure is recommended in the owners manual.

 

[Brad_Ct]

@Brad_Ct I think that substance may be a microbial buildup that feeds on the residual water left in the engine cooling system. It is the same stuff that can build up in AC condensate drain lines when they do not drain adequately. I have been trying to keep the engine cooling system dry by revving engine up and down for 15 seconds after shutting off hose water. That procedure is recommended in the owners manual.

I rev the engines every time before I shut them off, like I have stated before I really don’t know the history of this boat before I got it but it definitely was not taken care of properly.

 

[Brad_Ct]

Changed the oil twice in both engines yesterday just to make sure any residual crap was removed and I know there is nice clean oil in them.

I also had a long talk with @easyliving609 yesterday about the seat skins he sells and ordered a set from him. He joined the forum yesterday and from talking to him he is very knowledgeable about these boats in all areas.

 

[Brad_Ct]

Out with the old and in with the new. Started installing the new seat skins I got from @easyliving609. Have a few wrinkles but they should shrink out, looks better then the old ripped up ones.

 

[Brad_Ct]

2 1/2 years after buying the boat it finally got wet, didn’t take it off the trailer but it was in the water. Ran both engines for 20-25 minutes at different RPMs had water coming out of the pissers with no overheating or water in the oil and no water coming into the boat that I could see.

Need to finish recovering the cushions and a few other things and it will be time for its maiden voyage.

 

[Scottintexas]

CONTGRATULATIONS !!!!

 

[2kwik4u]

@Brad_Ct Congrats dude. What a long journey this has been!

 

[Brad_Ct]

Can’t believe it has been almost a year since I last posted on the progress. Unfortunately there has not been to much except that I replaced the intermediate shafts and bearing assemblies. Been so busy with other projects that I haven’t even finished the upholstery. One of the projects was sheet rocking and insulating the ceiling and installing A/C in the garage. Now I can work on the upholstery without sweating all over it.

 

[Brad_Ct]

Made some more progress today. Installed the Thrust Vectors, replaced all the bushings on the nozzles and steering cable. Also replaced the bad fuel gauge sending unit.

 

[Brad_Ct]

Well another year has gone by since I posted on this. Ended up having to replace the port engine due to it overheating because of buildup in the water jackets. I have finished the upholstery, replaced the rotted wood in the deck from an improperly sealed table bracket, and installed new sound deadener on the inside of the engine hatch. I gave up on trying to get the blue gel coat to shin up so I painted it Navy blue.

After installing the port engine we were actually able to take it out on the water and ran it for around 3 hour, that sure was a good feeling after working on it for all these years. Working on compounding and waxing the top and bottom of the hull and a few other minor items and hopefully it will be finished.