Water in Engine

If there's any doubt that I have water in my engine...what should I do before I just go out and buy a new one?

 

I would to a compression check, see if your head is blown. Leakdown test couldn't hurt either.

 

I'd start by getting the bike out of the pond.

 

Where would you get water contamination on an XJ? Aren't they all air cooled?

I don't think water contamination is all that damaging to an engine anyways. Certainly not enough to require buying a whole new engine.

 

I assume it is in the crankcase! Is the oil milky looking? If so, drain it out and then flush it out with diesel fuel, kerosene or fuel oil until you are sure you have all the old oil out. Do it two or three times. You can crank the engine over using the starter, but make sure you disconnect the plug wires so the engine will not start. Once this is done and all the fluid drained out of the engine, put in new oil and filter, start and run the bike at idle a few minutes until it warms up, then change the oil and filter again. If you are lucky enough not to have gotten any rust on the bearings from the oil or have run it very long with the watery oil in it, you may be OK. I have used this procedure for years on Marine engines and Auto engines that had gotten water in the oil for some reason. And it works! Good Luck!

 

I will add to this to clearify. If you pull just the plug wires, you must ground them to prevent frying your TCI. The best way to accomplish this is to disconnect the TCI connectors. This eliminates the need to pull wires and ensures your TCI survives.

 

And if you do fry your TCI make sure you don't throw it away and send it to Robert.

 

Thanks Gwyndwr! I cover postage! If I get this right, I'll be able to rebuild these things. Let's see if 6 years of school will pay off...

 

Kevin....lol.....
Water "could" have gotten in through the crank case vent, and the oil filter cover.... My mom was jacking around with the engine and yeah. So ...what do I do...if there is rust. Also....Since the engine is out, do you think it would be wise to replace all the gaskets....I do have a small oil leak on the head of the engine.

 

Kevin....lol.....
Water "could" have gotten in through the crank case vent, and the oil filter cover.... My mom was jacking around with the engine and yeah. So ...what do I do...if there is rust. Also....Since the engine is out, do you think it would be wise to replace all the gaskets....I do have a small oil leak on the head of the engine.

 

If you use ethanol-"enriched" fuel than it could account for the accumulation of water in the motor. Ethanol sucks water right out f the air. Not only does it contribute to lower gas mileage but higher engine failure numbers too!

You can thank the Imperial Government for that brilliant idea.

 

How much water?

A little bit probably wouldn't hurt anything unless it was in there for months on end.
Do a flush as the previous Post said to do.

Change the Oil and Filter and then run the bike up to temp.
Water is going to be long gone before too very long as the engine and oil heat up to boil it away.
Out the exhaust by way of the breather pulling it through the crankcase vent.

Hard to kill an XJ Engine.
If you get it running ... you got it running and that's the end of water.

Unless this is a liquid cooled bike then all bets are off!!!