Hi All:
First, I am a long time sailor but a new member of this forum.
I have been an off and on "lurker" of this site for years and have learned a tremendous amount from reading relevant posts and applying the learnings.
I never wanted to be an engine mechanic - I just want to sail - but lack of millions $$$$ and a penchant for classic boats have forced me to learn.
That all said, I started my 1977 late model engine for the first time this season last week (I know, it's July!) and after a minute or two of running, I looked in the engine compartment and freaked out when I saw oil running out from under the engine.
At the time, I thought I was loosing quarts in a such a short time and immediately shut the engine down in fear of the engine seizing up.
I calmed down and started looking the engine over and could not easily find where the leak was coming from other than it looked like it was coming from the carb side of the engine... but wasn't sure. At this point I had convinced my self that I had to pull the engine and have it overhauled!!!
So I did what I always do when I get challenged by this engine. I went home, got a drink and started searching this site. Sure enough I found posts and guidance on locating and dealing with oil leaks. Armed with this information, last night I went back to the boat, checked the oil level and added about 1/2 pint (oil that is). cleaned up all around the engine and underneath, laid out some absorbent pads as a dam against entering the bilge, and cranked up the engine.
Before I never paid much attention to the oil pressure other than to make sure I had some... but at start I noticed I had about 50-55 psi... which I think is about normal if memory serves me right. I then immediately looked down in the engine compartment.
It took about 30 seconds to a minute before I saw any oil running out but it was not the gusher that I remembered from a few days prior... but it was a steady little stream. I jumped down into the cabin with a light to see where it was coming from and it appears to be running forward from the oil pressure adjustment value to a around the oil pan drain plug and down under the engine to drip off onto the inside of the hull.
I double checked that the drain plug was tight so I am pretty confident no leak there. Not knowing much about the Pressure Valve, I did not adjust it or touch it other than to wipe it off.
By the time I shut the engine down... 5-10 minutes at most... I might have lost a pint... maybe a pint and a half... not the quarts I originally feared.
So long story getting here...
So why am I now getting leakage around this valve?
More importantly, what is my best remedy?
- Do I start by just tightening the lock nut? If it will tighten...
- Do I need to replace a washer under the nut?
- Do I need to pull and re-seat the valve?
- Do I need to replace the valve with a new kit?
- Or, something else?
I will likely head back to the marina Friday evening where the boat has been stuck for various reasons (an even longer story for another time) and I would like to understand the right course of action so I can move on to whatever next challenge this little engine will pose to me.
Hey, thanks for reading.. I hope I get some good answers... actually based on my prior readings, I am sure I will!
Jim
S/V Strong Tower
1977 C&C 29 Mk1
First, I am a long time sailor but a new member of this forum.
I have been an off and on "lurker" of this site for years and have learned a tremendous amount from reading relevant posts and applying the learnings.
I never wanted to be an engine mechanic - I just want to sail - but lack of millions $$$$ and a penchant for classic boats have forced me to learn.
That all said, I started my 1977 late model engine for the first time this season last week (I know, it's July!) and after a minute or two of running, I looked in the engine compartment and freaked out when I saw oil running out from under the engine.
At the time, I thought I was loosing quarts in a such a short time and immediately shut the engine down in fear of the engine seizing up.
I calmed down and started looking the engine over and could not easily find where the leak was coming from other than it looked like it was coming from the carb side of the engine... but wasn't sure. At this point I had convinced my self that I had to pull the engine and have it overhauled!!!
So I did what I always do when I get challenged by this engine. I went home, got a drink and started searching this site. Sure enough I found posts and guidance on locating and dealing with oil leaks. Armed with this information, last night I went back to the boat, checked the oil level and added about 1/2 pint (oil that is). cleaned up all around the engine and underneath, laid out some absorbent pads as a dam against entering the bilge, and cranked up the engine.
Before I never paid much attention to the oil pressure other than to make sure I had some... but at start I noticed I had about 50-55 psi... which I think is about normal if memory serves me right. I then immediately looked down in the engine compartment.
It took about 30 seconds to a minute before I saw any oil running out but it was not the gusher that I remembered from a few days prior... but it was a steady little stream. I jumped down into the cabin with a light to see where it was coming from and it appears to be running forward from the oil pressure adjustment value to a around the oil pan drain plug and down under the engine to drip off onto the inside of the hull.
I double checked that the drain plug was tight so I am pretty confident no leak there. Not knowing much about the Pressure Valve, I did not adjust it or touch it other than to wipe it off.
By the time I shut the engine down... 5-10 minutes at most... I might have lost a pint... maybe a pint and a half... not the quarts I originally feared.
So long story getting here...
So why am I now getting leakage around this valve?
More importantly, what is my best remedy?
- Do I start by just tightening the lock nut? If it will tighten...
- Do I need to replace a washer under the nut?
- Do I need to pull and re-seat the valve?
- Do I need to replace the valve with a new kit?
- Or, something else?
I will likely head back to the marina Friday evening where the boat has been stuck for various reasons (an even longer story for another time) and I would like to understand the right course of action so I can move on to whatever next challenge this little engine will pose to me.
Hey, thanks for reading.. I hope I get some good answers... actually based on my prior readings, I am sure I will!
Jim
S/V Strong Tower
1977 C&C 29 Mk1
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