Water marks on rod bearing surface

[Markus]

I tore down one of my engines today, and noticed that there were "prints" from the rod bearings on the bearing surface of rod #4. Bearings and crank look normal, and all other rods do as well. It looks just like what the service manual calls water marks, but there has not been water in the engine. The surface is perfectly smooth with no pitting or chatter marks.

What could cause this?

[oldstv]

I had that problem, and was told it came from sitting up too long. In the south we have a lot of humidity and my boat would sit too long between trips out. It showed up on two engines and they both sat for long periods of time.

[WATERWINGS]

I have seen that too.

I would think, that if you can't "feel" the marks with a needle, or a scribe tip, it should be ok.

But what do I know, I grew up on a sawmill where EVERYTHING was a rig.

My Grandad told me that they used to make bearings out of leather.

And they would start a fire under the tractors in the winter to warm them up so they could start them.:eek:

[YELLOWSS]

i would think salt in the air would speed up the process, if you are not to far from the ocean,!!!!

[Hottrucks]

I have seen that too.

I would think, that if you can't "feel" the marks with a needle, or a scribe tip, it should be ok.

But what do I know, I grew up on a sawmill where EVERYTHING was a rig.

My Grandad told me that they used to make bearings out of leather.

And they would start a fire under the tractors in the winter to warm them up so they could start them.:eek:


I think your grandfatehr was my neighbor

as far as the water marks check the maunaul I remeber reeading someting about that...it wasn't a BAD thing??

[j_martin]

Doesn't everybody build a fire under the tractor, or the pickemup to get them running when it's 30 below?

[Jay Smith]

Markus,
I lightly ball hone every rod ( both ends ) that I assyemble. That usually make the surfaces nice and satin looking and removes most topical surface problems. I don't care for a chrome like finish on a needle bearing service ( Rods ) , IMO a very chrome like surface on rods can cause needles to slide instead of roll causing the needle to become flat in spots. I've been doing them this way for years. I tighten up the cracked cap area until I can feel NO LINES at the ID fit then ball hone..

www.goodson.com (http://www.goodson.com) sells them ( ball hones )

Good luck,
Jay