Blower Motors And Condensation
 

I know that most Blower Motors are running without thermostats or restricters and run very cold but, I've got a question about the condensation that collects under the Valve Covers. I'm getting a substance that has the consistency of white grease. This engine is running on Mobil 1 full synthetic. My question is; Could that be why this looks so different than "normal" condensation?

I assume that it has been like this for some time and that's why there's so much there. This is a new boat to me and I don't usually run full synthetic in my engines.

One other thing. The dipstick looks good. No milk there. Could I have an intake leak?

Thanks,

Bob

Re: Blower Motors And Condensation
 

Bob, I think it is normal for you to have a little "milk shake" without having thermostats. The condensation can't burn off in the oil because the oil doesn't get hot enough to start evaporating thru the valve cover breathers.

We just tore down my 572 blower motors and there was some milkshake in them but nothing that would cause a problem.

Re: Blower Motors And Condensation
 

A carefully engineered PCV system will keep the moisture down if temp will not do it.

Re: Blower Motors And Condensation
 

I had MRD build me an 800hp sc motor... I initially had the milk shake problem..
It was corrected by using a thermostically controlled oil filter.... I believe it was a mercury part and I know Keith Eckert + Teague makes one..

You can't beat the torque and throttle response of a blower motor but the trade off in repairs and reliability wasn't worth it to me... My eyes were always glued to the gauges and I had no peace of mind...

I bought a 29 Fountain 525hp it has turnkey reliability and reqiures the whole inner Great South bay to hit 80mph but I am a happy man...

Good Luck

Re: Blower Motors And Condensation
 

Thanks for your inputs guys but, my main concern is not that I have condensation, it's the "white grease " substance that I'm confused about. I just didn't know if that was a by product of Synthetic oil or what it was. This stuff looks different than the "normal" milk shake that you have with conventional oil. Is that what the difference is?

Bob

Re: Blower Motors And Condensation
 

Mr. Oneil,

Just a thought. Mine always had alot of water droplets within the condensation whenever I had it. Also will cake itself onto the bottom of the intake and in the lifter galley. Dipstick would never show signs of it since it stays to the top end of the motor. I'm thinking that might not be a good thing to have motors sitting all winter with this in there. IN FACT, had a few cam lobes and roller lifters show signs of pitting just from this condition. Also, to expand on the leaking intake theory now that I have thought about this, I doubt it because you have very little water pressure and don't mention anything about oil level raising.

Re: Blower Motors And Condensation
 

a thermostatically controlled oil cooler is a must.

Re: Blower Motors And Condensation
 

Don't have any of that problem on 3 boats I know of down here. 2 are running mobile 1 & no problems.

Re: Blower Motors And Condensation
 

As mentioned above,

You need to have an Oil Thermostat with that setup. Oil temperature needs to be at least 160. Too big of an oil cooler can cause your problem as well.

Also use restrictors on the intake outlet. Get it so the water temperature reads between 110-120. Do not run it hard over 130. I had to change the restrictor size to the small in fall months. Medium is a Good start. Jeggs sells them for about $12.

How close are you on the boost level. Low compression & low boost with that set up will not build any engine heat.

You must get rid of the milk. It will kill the bearings. FAST! Do not let anyone tell you milk is OK in the oil.

Re: Blower Motors And Condensation
 

That white grease like substance is most likely from the Mobil 1. Being that synthetic is just highly refined conventional oil, the grease is the way it is for the same reason. Additionally you should see oil temp of atleast 210, since the evaporation temp of the water in your v.c's is just over that, hence you'll be able to "cook" the water content out of your upper half. Imagine what the bottom of your intake look's like.
?

Re: Blower Motors And Condensation
 

Oh yeah , hey Duncan, how's the new boat going?.

Re: Blower Motors And Condensation
 

The white substance is just the coagulation of water emulsified in oil thats being carried up to the top of the motor by its breather system where it condenses because the valve covers are some much cooler than the rest of the motor. When I started running my 525, it would collect around the breather and oil fill ports. I had anticipated this and installed one of Mercs oil filter/thermostat kits on the motor before install, ie. no water in the oil, just the white stuff where the engine was cooler. Installed one of Moroso's flow restricer plates in the water outlet to raise blocked temp. and that got rid of the white stuff. Just don't like restricting flow to the Gills, so I hope to reinstall a thermostat and seawater bypass by next summer. A warmer cumbustion chamber should increase engine efficiency and therefore increase power, plus get rid of any condensation problems.

Re: Blower Motors And Condensation
 

My Scarab blower motor did the same thing, no thernostat.

My race car has a restristor in it and it still does it.same milky stuff on the bottom of the valve cover .

the hustler came with the KE oil therostats . This is the First time I have took the valve cover off . no moister

pick on the stand ,eveything disconected

Re: Blower Motors And Condensation
 

Guys, before I did the thermostatically controlled oil cooler , I got 1 season out of the heads..(valves etc.) The milkshake has to go..... My oil temp worried me running at 210 and 220+ when wot... My water temp was 100 - 110..... I found that blower motors are an art, not a science...We initially had temp problems because we were getting a lot of water in and not getting it out. Once they installed water dumps out of the rear of the intake, she ran acceptably... I wouldn't do it again......Although I ahve thought about a whipple on my 525..... Reason must win out..... Good Luck !!!!!

Hey Bo.... Monsta.... Thanks for asking ,the Fountain is great, but as we all know...
You can never go fast enough... and there is always a faster boat then yours....
It all comes down to your wallet!!!!!!

Bo Write us on the Fountain thread.. Let us know how you are doing.....

Re: Blower Motors And Condensation
 

One other thing....

Skip from MRD says the oil temp sender should be where the oil leaves the engine at its hottest.... Not after it leaves the cooler...


Heat Kills !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Re: Blower Motors And Condensation
 

Thanks for all your input.

I forgot to mention that this engine ran oil temps over 200 f . The other one does not run as high and does not have the grease. Just a little condensation as I've seen on other naturally aspirated engines.

Someone mentioned this being more of an art than a science. I agree. It seems that there is a fine line in holding the water in the block to get some heat built up, having the right amount of water pressure, and having just enough oil temp to burn off condensation.

I'll probably do a lot of research on oil thermostats this winter.

It sound like the "white grease" is a product of Synthetic oil and too much condensation. I think I'll pull the Intake this winter just to make sure, and go from there.

Thanks again for all your help,

Bob