Can't figure why there is so much OIL in the bilge

[bigoledave]

Nasty mess of oil in he bilge....

Things I have done to try and find and solve it:

1) A while back, the tail shaft key broke..at that time I replaced the seals
and gaskets at the output side..and don't think this is where it is coming from.

2) I look at the front of the engine and don't see that it is coming from there either!

3) I have removed the entire oil pump assembly, replaced it with a plug, and
use that to fill the oil with a long funnel.

4) Made a thin metal oil pan and put it under the engine. I put some of that
white pad material in there....which does get oily.

I guess what I am asking is.....what are all the possible leak points for oil from this engine????

Frustrating that this semmingly simple problem has lasted for years!

Thx..

Dave

[Marian Claire]

Have you snugged up all of the block to oil pan bolts? Checked the oil drain plug? Oil seal of the water pump?
A little oil can look like a big mess. If it has been leaking for years and depending on the shape of your bilge old oil could be getting "washed" and creating a new mess. I fought that for a long time until I realized the the wood ribs and limber holes on the MC allowed the water out but not all of the oil.
Does your dip stick reading match the amount of oil you are losing/recovering from the bilge?
Do not know how your access is but the oil cloths are handy for locating where the drip is. That may not necessarily be where the leak is. I have used a mirror and bright light to follow the oil trail from the drip to the actual leak.
Does it leak all the time or just when running?
Dan S/V Marian Claire

[67c&ccorv]

What kind of engine/boat/mounting arrangement do you have?

There is no oil seal at the front of the crankshaft...overfilling the motor or running in heavy following seas can sometimes allow oil to escape out of what is known as the "air seal" in the A4.

[bigoledave]

RE---Can't figure why there is so much OIL in the bilge

Thanks for the tips......

I don't think I haves access to the oil pan bolts....

Your idea of a leak at the water pump is interesting and I will look there..

Good idea of the mirrors and lights.....I will try that!

-Dave

[edwardc]

... A while back, the tail shaft key broke..at that time I replaced the seals
and gaskets at the output side..and don't think this is where it is coming from....

Which gaskets are you talking about? The ones that seal the reversing gear housing? If so, I believe there is a leak-prone point where housing, block, and oil pan all meet at a single point. I seem to recall reading that its recommended to put an extra blob of the red Permatex there to help get it to seal.

[hanleyclifford]

Universal must have been aware of the leak potential of the A4 since they specified copper flat washers for the oil pan cap screws. Of course never use lock washers in this application.

[sailhog]

Have you checked the valve gallery gasket just under the exhaust manifold?

[Skywalker]

Where exactly would the "air seal" be?

My buddy has a Pearson 10M. His A4 has had mysterious leak occasionally. Pulled the engine, replaced gaskets, inspected...nothing.

Skywalker

[hanleyclifford]

Take off your flywheel housing cover and check for oil at the bottom. The flywheel might even be slinging oil as far as the starter.

[67c&ccorv]

Where exactly would the "air seal" be?

My buddy has a Pearson 10M. His A4 has had mysterious leak occasionally. Pulled the engine, replaced gaskets, inspected...nothing.

Skywalker

From the manual;

(crankshaft group)

***Note: There is not a front crankshaft seal. It has an air seal. If you tip the engine too much on an angle, oil will come out."

[Skywalker]

gotcha

thanks

Skywalker