Oil in bilge

[themaestro]

2003 216 DD Excalibur 330

I have had zero issues with this motor. Today when I got it back from a nice sunset session I noticed there was a bit of oil in the bilge (mixed with the normal small amount of water). I always pull both the plugs when trailering home. Any ideas of where this is coming from? See photo

[AirTool]

There seems to be a "trend" of the drain hose fitting leaking where it attaches to the pan. I assume it is the hose to fitting connection or the hose tearing. Maybe someone that has fixed this problem can tell us what it was. Previous reports are the engine has to come out. I would make a great attempt using mirrors, go cams, or whatever and someone with long skinny arms to make an in-boat repair.

Also check the top of your oil filter...but I'd think you'd see it dripping down the engine. I assume you have the remote mount filter.

Get some paper towels and start wiping down under the engine and all the hoses and see where you might pick up some oil.

[themaestro]

So is an issue I can add oil as I lose it as a band aid to get another month out of the boat? Or is this an immediate stop and repair issue?

So as I understand it, there is a drain with a hose attached to the bottom of the oil pan. The fitting usually leaks? And the problem is that the fitting is underneath the motor, so you have to lift the motor out to repair it?

[AirTool]

So is an issue I can add oil as I lose it as a band aid to get another month out of the boat? Or is this an immediate stop and repair issue?

No comment.

So as I understand it, there is a drain with a hose attached to the bottom of the oil pan.

Yes

The fitting usually leaks?

The fitting or the hose.

And the problem is that the fitting is underneath the motor, so you have to lift the motor out to repair it?

That's what several others have reported.

[themaestro]

Is that a "no comment" because its a stupid question/self explanatory....or because you don't want liability? Honest noob question. If I have a slight leak, and I want to use the boat for another 3-4 weeks before putting it away for awhile, can't I add a little oil? Or am I risking catastrophic failure?

[case sensitive]

It's most likely because he doesn't want the liability. You are probably fine as long as you check the oil levels frequently and you don't see a ton of oil in the bilge. You're probably not risking catastrophic failure as long as the oil level stays in between the fill and full lines on the dipstick.

[DanielC]

It is a pain, but if you can clean and dry your bilge completely, you can then lay clean paper towels down under the engine, and localize where the oil is coming from. You may have to tape the paper towels in place. You may have to run the engine at an idle, using a "fake-a-lake" hose adapter, or maybe just take the boat down to the boat ramp, and run it on a trailer.
But first, after cleaning and drying the bilge, I would just let the boat sit overnight, and see what drips out.

[AirTool]

Is that a "no comment" because its a stupid question/self explanatory....or because you don't want liability?

I don't want the liability or encourage the dumping of oil into "naviable waters" ...a known violation of federal law.

Honest noob question. If I have a slight leak, and I want to use the boat for another 3-4 weeks before putting it away for awhile, can't I add a little oil?

A little...or a lot...depending on how much has leaked out.

Or am I risking catastrophic failure?

Yes...there is a chance of catastrophic failure.

I'm not trying to be a wise guy. I really don't know what the actual problem has been. Some have had rusty pans. Others have had hose problems. A credible scenario is the hose tears off in use and the oil drains out completely/and quickly.

[themaestro]

I'm not trying to be a wise guy. I really don't know what the actual problem has been. Some have had rusty pans. Others have had hose problems. A credible scenario is the hose tears off in use and the oil drains out completely/and quickly.

Thats what I needed to know. Thanks

[themaestro]

OK, update. The oil appears to be coming from the filter, not the drain hose. Looks like its coming from the top of the filter. Oil level on the dip stick has not gone down.

Last oil change from the dealer they over filled it slightly (according to the dip stick) haven't had an issue for 4 months, but could that be a cause? (although I did read the stick when the engine was cold, so I suppose the oil all drains back into the pan, I'll have to check it after warming it up)

[shonuff]

OK, update. The oil appears to be coming from the filter, not the drain hose. Looks like its coming from the top of the filter. Oil level on the dip stick has not gone down.

Last oil change from the dealer they over filled it slightly (according to the dip stick) haven't had an issue for 4 months, but could that be a cause? (although I did read the stick when the engine was cold, so I suppose the oil all drains back into the pan, I'll have to check it after warming it up)

Not likely. I would unscrew the filter and check the gasket. Or maybe the filter unscrewed itself over time from the vibration if it was under torqued.

Just slap a new filter on there and see if that takes care of it.

[AirTool]

OK, update. The oil appears to be coming from the filter, not the drain hose. Looks like its coming from the top of the filter. Oil level on the dip stick has not gone down.

Also check the top of your oil filter...but I'd think you'd see it dripping down the engine. I assume you have the remote mount filter.

Wow...I should open a dealership. Note I have to sponge out the top of my filter with a paper towel about every third trip. I've tried tighter and looser and two or three brands but the always seep a bit. My theory is the close-to-70 psi start up pressures but who knows. Maybe all my trucks do it to i just don't get under there and look and or the 80 mph draft blows it off.

The design of the remote filter housing makes it obvious. The o.d. of the mount is significantly less than the o.d. of the filter so I can see it collect.

On the other comment, I suspect any dealer that changes the oil in 30 mintues or so drains out 4 quarts and puts in 5. Many threads on this.

[themaestro]

Mr. Airtool, you are a gentleman and a scholar. Your help (and others) is greatly appreciated. If you opened a dealership I would be first in line.