excessive exhaust steam???
 

My Brother-in Law has a 1988 Formula 242 with a single 454 mag (stock). When running, the Port side exhaust puts out considerably more steam than the Starboard side. The engine oil looks clean.

Could this be a leak in the riser or exhaust manifold?

Thanks for any help.

Could be that or the side that isn't producing as much steam is passing less water. I'd look at the thermostat housing for obstructions then check the manifolds and risers for clogs.

The 350 Mag in my last boat did the same thing. More steam out of the port side. I think someone told me that it is just due to the direction the water flows within the motor. Colder water on one side, warmer by the time it gets to the other.

Scott

I second that..
 

There was a teague on tech article a while back that confirmed it was a thermostat housing issue.

It could be a riser/manifold problem. Is that the original Exhuast from 1988??

I've had different motors steam for different reasons:

1. Bad Riser leaking water back into the manifold

2. Bad Riser Gasket

3. Cracked head

And none of these showed water in my oil ???

I don't mean to panic you, but if it is original exhuast it should be checked for corrosion and pressure tested before more serious problems occur.

may want to check the raw water impeller while youre at it! A little preventative maintenance will be good in the long run! :D

Mine does the same thing. 1999 454 MAG MPI. More steam comes out the starboard side though. I have wondered about this for some time. I keep asking my mechanic buddy about it when we are on the water and he just says "it's nothing to worry about" Hmmmpff...

I have a 99 454 Mag MPI and it is hotter on the starbouard side also. I heard one member suggest clamping down a bit on the port side hose to force more water through the starboard side but if this is normal I guess I should leave it alone!

The starboard side smokes on my boat too. 00 454 Mag mpi. There is zero steam on the port side. Guess it's normal.

I am with Wally. I had the same problem and it was the water pump impeller. Actually in my case the belt was slipping a bit. At any rate I put in a new impeller and away the problem went. I notice it doe the same thing when I run on the hose. More water out one side then the other. When is the last time he did his riser gaskets? I would take them off and see if there is any scalling going on in there just to be safe. If there is then he can take them off and dunk them in acid for a evening and they will look good as new :D:D

Jon

My exhaust is all good....

But...

What kind of acid would you use at home to clean them up?

Myriatic (sp) acid works

It's called Muriatic Acid. It's for cleaning stains on concrete. You have to be careful with this stuff!!! Don't breath it or even touch it.

one time in my shop I poured a couple gallons in a bucket, then let my risers soak for a while.....before i knew it the stuff became "airbourne" (fumes) and took any/all oils off of somethings that were in the shop.....then some tools and things started rusting imediatley!!

If you do it make sure you put something over the bucket because it "smokes" alot when you throw something in there, and the next thing you know your wife's mini van will have no paint left on it :D !!

Ahhh, Muriatic Acid Stories.....

I had a little incident in my old Bronco a while ago and ended up spilling some of it in the back cargo area. The only problem was that it was unbeknownst to me for 3-4 days as I was out of town.

I didn't spill a whole lot, maybe only 1/2 cup or so, but in those few days, the carpet, insulation, and foam padding in the back was literally gelatenous in a 3 foot diameter. It ate a hole through the steel belly back there and etched a nice groove in the differential axle underneath the hole. Everything in the truck was corroded beyond what I've ever seen. An entire toolbox worth of tools covered in thick, scaly rust. My iceskates were destroyed, paint was peeling off interior surfaces, my speaker grills rusted, the seatbelt buckles were inoperable afterwards. I can go on and on. Those fumes are NASTY!!!!!!!!

Ahhh...come on Nick, your going to scare these guys :D At least you can laugh about it now!!

It is good to use on certain things, but be careful...it's dangerous.

The one strange thing is that is doesn't harm gelcoat???? I've watched people put it in a garden sprayer, and spray down the bottom of the boat. It takes ALL the stains off, and you don't have to scrub..just hose it off. After seeing someone else do it to thier boat.....I tried putting some on a rag and wiping down the transom(with gloves of couse), and it got rid of all stains. ;)