water coming from spark plugs

[andy]

There is water coming out of the spark plugs in my Yamaha 250. I'm no mechanic and don't have a clue. How bad is this?

[Ken]

andy,
BAD - don't try to run it. Sounds like a blown head gasket or a hole in the water jacket of the head - do you have water coming out of both port and starboard heads? Is water coming out of the spark plug holes around the plugs? All spark plug holes?
Probably gonna have to remove heads to inspect - hopefully just need to replace head gaskets. Head replacement can get pretty expensive.
Good luck,
Ken K

[andy]

If your standing in the boat water is coming from the top right plug only. First air and then water.

[Ken]

That's the port side, Andy.
Sounds like that spark plug is loose - needs to be finger tight and then 1/3 turn more.
You need to have a good marine mechanic take a look at that water discharge - its probably a bad head gasket. Let us know what you find out.
Ken K

[andy]

Thanks Ken, My buddy is going to pull the heads and get them looked at before we replace the the gasket. I appreciate the help.

[andy]

We pulled the offending head off for a look and it had a pea sized hole in it. Ordered 2 heads online and hopefully will be under way on Thursday. Any tips. Thanks again for your previous helpfull replies.

[Ken]

andy,
You found a hole in the head or head gasket?
Ken K

[andy]

in the head itself

[Ken]

andy,
Sorry to hear it was the head. I would follow the procedure in the Yamaha manual for head replacement - torque specs and sequence need to be followed.
Also, I think there are sacrificial anodes in each head assy - they are supposed to be replaced something like every 600 hours - be sure to get new ones installed in those heads if the manual shows them there.
Good luck,
Ken K

[andy]

Hey Ken,
I followed the procedures in the manual and it took longer than I thought it would but the results are great. The motor never sounded as good. Thanks again for your helpfull replies.

[Ken]

Thanks for the feedback, Andy, glad you are up and running - I love a happy ending!
Ken K