water in oil--Volvo MD17c

  • May 03, 2016 3:31 PM
    Message # 4001072

    We've got water in the oil and it's about 1 qt. high on the dipstick. Color is a translucent light brown. There's milky white oil under the filler cap that I thought might just be condensate from blow-by, but the other makes it look more like a real water leak.

    This is a '73 MD17c, and we had overheating issues a year ago that could be involved but I don't want to throw anyone off with that, just mention it. Temperature got up to 200F, maybe a tad higher, then was resolved by removal of blockage found in a device PO installed to monitor coolant flow. (Yes, pretty ironic!)

    So, I recall reading somewhere that leakage past the seals in the seawater pump can drain seawater into the oil, and I think someone, possibly even Bud Taplin, mentioned that we still have the "old style" water pump. Is there a new style pump that we should be switching to?

    So, looking for suggestions on diagnosis and fixes. Thanks.

    Mike & Andrea
    Westsail 32 "Aerides"

  • May 03, 2016 10:04 PM
    Reply # 4001388 on 4001072
    Anonymous

    Replace the two seals, clean out the weep  hole. If you see oil or water in the area of the weep hole pull off the pump and check it. In theory any water getting by the water seal comes out the hole. Any oil that get by the oil seal comes out the hole. If the hole gets plugged the water can get to the oil. Look at the oil on the dip stick, if it starts to change color and/or shows above the normal level those are other hints. A blown head gasket will do the same thing.


  • May 04, 2016 6:23 PM
    Reply # 4003276 on 4001072
    Anonymous member (Administrator)

    When my MD2B was making a racket - I posted the video on youtube and then used Just Answer and got a fast reply from a volvo mechanic who watched the video... like $25 dollars as I recall.  Worked great. 

    HTH

    Jay