I'm not an engine guru. Can anyone help me understand common causes of hydrolocking without damaging anything or being caused by anything damaged? The engine overheated just before this occurred, but after fixing the overheating issue, clearing the cylinders, and changing oil (no water found), nothing significant appears to be wrong. What went wrong? Same thing happened with my buddy's hydrodyne too this weekend. No overheating, but the boat became sluggish and then hydrolocked as well, which led to a few ignition system issues that we are addressing. Anyone?
Blown head gasket, warped head, or cracked exhaust manifold can cause it. Hydraulic lock can easily bend a rod. Is your friend running stock exhaust? Jim
His '74 is running stock exhaust, so maybe one of those problems will be found, but it has ran well all summer. My '68 however has none of those issues and I got water in my cylinders. I do not have stock exhaust -- I have dual as you've seen in my pics before. Have you ever heard of an engine running in reverse and taking on water through the exhaust ports Jim? http://www.marineengine.com/boat-forum/showthread.php?116521-Hydrolock-from-water-in-engine
Yes, and more likely from a power chop on plane and letting it fall off plane with idle power on. The backwash can reach the rear cylinders especially with direct exhaust which would be worse I without proper elbows. Jim