1999 SAN - PCM FORD Major Oil Leak

[Burk]

I am a new owner of this 1999 Super Air Nautique, with the V-drive PCM Ford 351 engine about 550 hours. I was out yesterday and noticed what appears to be oil coming out my bilge. Looking in the engine compartment I saw a little oil below the engine, checked the dipstick and there was no loss in oil level. Started to head back to the marina pulling a surfer, and there were no slips, loss of power, noticeable issues. Once I trailered I pulled the drain plug and there was oil spewing out the drain plug for a good 8 seconds. I checked the dipstick again and it read halfway between FULL and ADD. Now I'm thinking there is a bigger issue.

I lost a lot oil in about 30 minutes. Looking in the engine compartment again, there was oil all over the bottom of my hull. I did not see any oil on my belts or any indication of oil spitting upwards, I looked back by the "V" transfer section and there was a pool of oil below it. I'm not mechanically advanced, my neighbor who rides with me a lot is, but I wanted some advice.

Where could this much oil be coming from?

[WakeSlayer]

RE: 1999 SAN - PCM FORD Major Oil Leak

Sounds like you are losing your rear main seal. I cannot imagine that much coming from anywhere else. Possibly check your valve covers in case one is cracked or something.

[core-rider]

RE: 1999 SAN - PCM FORD Major Oil Leak

First off, re-check your oil level with the boat in the water. I notice big differences in fluid levels when checking on and off the trailer. Fluid levels should be checked while in the water. If the level is still low, then start checking for leaks. My guess is there is just a small amount of oil in the bilge from, oil changes, leaking filter, leaking v-drive, etc. Your post wasn't real clear, but I'm guessing you weren't draining pure oil from the bilge for 8 seconds. That would pretty much be the entire crankcase worth of oil I would think. A little amount of oil can look like alot when poured on the ground and allowed to spread.... even more when mixed with water.

Put the boat back in the water and re-check all fluid levels. The v-drive also uses motor oil for that year if I remember correctly. V-drives have a tendency to leak from the bolt holes on the bottom pan. Do a little investigation, shopuldn't be that hard to find oil residue on some surface if you have a leak, espcially if it is a large leak.

[chris196]

RE: 1999 SAN - PCM FORD Major Oil Leak

I would strongly suggest some diagnosis either by yourself or someone who knows what to look at before putting it back in the water. I suggest that for 2 reasons, one for the sake of your boat. You certainly don't want to run a component (engine, transmission, transfer case) without proper lubrication. Reason two for the sake of the lake. You've already pumped oil in the lake, you really shouldn't put any more in there if you know there's a problem.

[WakeSlayer]

RE: 1999 SAN - PCM FORD Major Oil Leak

V-drive oil tends to stay really clean as compared to motor oil. Mine still looks like new at 400 hours, vs: motor oil at even 5 hours. Vdrive takes 30w. Trans takes Dexron III

[Burk]

RE: 1999 SAN - PCM FORD Major Oil Leak

HOw much would a Rear Main Seal run? Sounds expensive and hard to do.

[WakeSlayer]

RE: 1999 SAN - PCM FORD Major Oil Leak

Cheap part. Skidim will have the right one. Pulling the motor is the PITA. I get to do one on the Mustang in a few weeks. But this just leaks a little and I want my nice new white bilge to stay that way.

[Burk]

RE: 1999 SAN - PCM FORD Major Oil Leak

Thanks for the tips guys. I've cleaned out the hull as best I can using water and letting as much drain out the plug drain. I did not use Paint thinner...yet. I'll see if I need it tomorrow, I was interrupted by a nice thunder storm.

I checked the oil drain plug hose and it was dry. I've had that laying up near the Exhaust manifold. I would have noticed right away if that was leaking. I also checked the oil filter and it was dry and clean.

I've tilted the boat as much as possible to allow it to naturally try to drain any more water/oil out overnight throughout tomorrow. It's SO difficult to get under the engine enough to get a good look at the oil pan and all seals down there.

Are Valve Covers and Crank Seals easier to get to? I know that's a silly question, but I'm mechanically challenged!! I'd like to diagnose this quickly and have a Correct Craft mechanic do this job. Since it's not the simple obvious things, I'm pretty sure it will require pulling the motor. especially if it's a Rear Main Seal.

UGH - BURK

[WakeSlayer]

RE: 1999 SAN - PCM FORD Major Oil Leak

Valve covers are easy, they are right on top. Crank and main seals are the same thing. like Chris suggested, try using a mirror and a light to look. The UV dye is an interesting idea too.

[Burk]

RE: 1999 SAN - PCM FORD Major Oil Leak

The converter where the drive transfers at the V under the back middle seat, what's that called? I checked the dipstick in that too and it's full. There was oil under that too when I initially was looking, but I think it just pooled there from the main leak. Is that regular motor oil in there, or is it a different fluid? It looks cleaner and clearer than the oil that has leaked.

[WakeSlayer]

RE: 1999 SAN - PCM FORD Major Oil Leak

It is 30w engine oil in the v-drive and stays really clean. Going to say that is not your problem.

[seth]

RE: 1999 SAN - PCM FORD Major Oil Leak

Thats the tranny and it takes the Dexron III.

[WakeSlayer]

RE: 1999 SAN - PCM FORD Major Oil Leak

^^ There are both down there. Based on what he is saying and the oil color, I believe he is talking about the V-drive, not the trans.

[Burk]

RE: 1999 SAN - PCM FORD Major Oil Leak

Black Box with tubes coming out both sides. The drive shaft to the prop comes out of it.

[steve-o]

RE: 1999 SAN - PCM FORD Major Oil Leak

That's the V-Drive. Trans is bolted to rear of engine. V-drive take the trans output and "v's" it back out the hull in the opposite direction.

The trans fluid should be red to dark red to brown depending on age and condition.