water in engine

I started working on a fence a couple weeks ago and while I was working the tractor ran out of gas. It was getting late so I left it out for the night and intended to fill it up in the morning. Well turns out I got busy, the tractors parking spot under the barn got filled with Christmas presents that needed hiding, and I didn't get to the tractor for a week. As it was sitting out it rained....a lot. I didn't worry much about the tractor because I had installed a rain cap on the exhaust a few months ago. I went out to start the tractor, which is an IH 674 gas, and it wouldn't start. One of the tabs on the ignition switch had mysteriously broken off so I went to NAPA and "switched the switch". Now the tractor turns over fine and has spark but won't fire. So I went to pull off #1 spark plug and found a puddle of water around it. It was also sitting in there very loose. I noticed also that #3 spark plug was quite rusted were the socket sits to screw it in. When I pulled #1 i found it smelled of gas but also had little droplets of water on it. The same for #2,#3, but not #4, they had water on them but were not loose. So i decided to drain the oil. I pulled the plug out slow and about a quart or so of water came out first, and then the oil. SO....my question is by removing the oil plug will the water run down through the motor by gravity or is there something else I need to do to remove the water from the cylinder head? And do you think that much water could enter the motor from a loose plug or should I be looking for a blown head gasket or a cracked cylinder? Any help would be much appreciated.

My first question would be, the water that came out of the drain plug, was it plain water or antifreeze mix?

It looked like clear water at first then looked muddy then oil.

Because it was clear water, chances are it was just rain water. First thing to do is get the oil back in and get it running ASAP. It probably didn't start because the water had fouled the plugs. You'll want to crank it through with the plugs out to clear the cylinders, may have to do that a few times until it will start. Also be sure your distributor cap is dry on the underside.

Once it is running, recheck the oil. If it is showing a lot of water, muddy looking, drain it again. But if it's not too bad the water will boil away as the engine runs at operating temp for a while. The engine needs to be run several hours to dry out the water, preferably under load. That's the only way to dry it out short of a tear down.

Probably what happened was the rain cap didn't divert the water. It may have tracked under the cap and funneled it down the pipe.

Exhaust pipe covered or open?? Since I know your in MO that say it is from rain water since I to live in MO and have been seeing lots of rain. If it is covered I would look close at the manifold where the pipe hooks to it for a area that could leak water into the engine.

Thanks for the quick responses. I've already removed the plugs and cranked it and the distributor cap was dryer as well. I just got home from work so I'm going out to put in new oil and see how she does. Just another quick question, would there be an additive I could put in to clear out any remaining moisture? Maybe sea foam or something like that?

Best way to clear out any water in the engine is to run it for an hour or so that way it will boil/steam the water that is left in it out

Well I got it started. I noticed two things as well. I believe the water came in from the loose plug and where the exhaust pipe screws into the manifold. This was loose as well and I'm sure some water seeped in there too. And there was also some wind involved with the rain so the rain cap may have even blow up throughout the showers and let some in there too. Right now the tractor is running at mid throttle. I drove it around for about 15 minutes and now its back in the barn (where it will reside every time I'm done using it from now on!). Still curious what you think about an additive though. Thanks. Joe.

I don't know of any additive that will get water out of the oil. If it still looks milky might try loosening the drain plug in a day or so, see if any water has settled down. What you don't want to happen is water to sit in and around the rings. It will stick the rings in the lands and cause them to leak compression and oil.

If you can't run it enough to boil the water away, might try giving it a shot of transmission fluid through the carb right before shutting it down. That will help coat the cylinder walls until it's run again.

BTW, how is the shifter boot? Could water have gotten in the transmission also?

Old has the best way to get moisture out, work it hard for an hour, it will boil out.

Nothing I know of will help get rid of any water left in the engine other then running it and letting it burn it off.

It seemed to drive alright. I'm not sure i'm an advanced enough mechanic to know much of a difference though. The best i could do is check the fluid on the dipstick?? Maybe drain and replace the fluid just in case?

You can check the dipstick, or loosen the drain plug. Water will tend to settle to the bottom first. Once it has been run it will emulsify, giving it the brown mud appearance. Problem is, the mud is thick and sticky, takes a long time to drain out and a lot will remain stuck to the internal surfaces.

In case of water in the transmission, it's even harder to get out because transmissions aren't vented like an engine, and don't get as hot. Good news is it's not as destructive. BUT, you want to make sure it's not sitting with liquid water in freezing weather! If there is a hydraulic pump in the transmission, it can also be damaged by starting it up frozen.

Yup - seen many motors with water in them that had covered exhaust pipes.....but a leak where the pipe screws into the manifold. Suggest you run the tractor as discussed, then drain and replace the oil one more time to be sure. If you have an oil-water emulsion formed (mixed due to heat and pressure), draining is the only way to get rid of it.
Having restored a few 'yard art' tractors, getting water out of the transmission can be easily done if you are willing to spend a little time and money. Drain the transmission, refill with cheap hydraulic fluid (which absorbs water), operate gently to stir things up then drain and refill with your favorite gear oil.

I got tired of mine coming loose and leaking, smeared muffler cement on the threads, cranked it in and it is sealed.

I'll have to try that. It's parked in the barn now but just in case I ever get caught out in the rain I'll be ready.