HELP - massive oil leak / spraying on left side of motor in engine bay

[Michael-Searay]

Bought a Searay with a 2004 135hp 3.0 litre inboard mercruser six months ago, had it serviced after I bought it (compression check OK then) and it has been a faultless family boat, well untill yesturday. I am after some advice as to what would cause a sudden loss of oil pressure and oil spraying somewhere from the left side of motor coating the engine in oil. (please tell me it is not somthing major before I take it to dealer)

Thanks, Michael

 

[Don S]

Re: HELP - massive oil leak / spraying on left side of motor in engine bay

Put some oil in it, have a friend start the engine (on muffs of course) and watch the engine and see where the oil is coming from.
We can tell you how to fix it, but you have to tell us where the leak is. We can't see it.

 

[makonnen]

Re: HELP - massive oil leak / spraying on left side of motor in engine bay

Can you get us a video?

Off the top of my head... the oil pressure sender and oil pressure switch is located on that side. Its like a diaphram encased in a thin sheet of metal if you know what I'm getting at.

Did someone do an oil change lately?

Did they put the right filter in?

Is it tight?

Is it double gasket on the oil filter?

 

[Michael-Searay]

Re: HELP - massive oil leak / spraying on left side of motor in engine bay

Thanks guys,

boat and myself not in the same location at the moment but I will run the suggested test and possible film it if nothing obvious.

No oil or filter change since the service back in December and it has been out 10 -12 times since with no problem.

 

[Oshkosh1]

Re: HELP - massive oil leak / spraying on left side of motor in engine bay

the left side of motor

YOUR left(facing it), or the motor's left? How about "port/stbd"?...no question then of orientation.

 

[Michael-Searay]

Re: HELP - massive oil leak / spraying on left side of motor in engine bay

Starboard side - the engine cover seem to have more oil sprayed on the side that sits over the oil filter side of the engine. In the limited time I had with the boat yesturday (I did not have a filter wrench on me), I tried to twist it with my hand and it did not budge.

 

[achris]

Re: HELP - massive oil leak / spraying on left side of motor in engine bay

Dripping or running down would indicate a low pressure leak, but 'spraying'... That's higher pressure and can only be coming from the oil filter or gauge sender... Would love to see a video of this 'spraying'...

 

[Michael-Searay]

Re: HELP - massive oil leak / spraying on left side of motor in engine bay

Thanks Mackonnen & Achris that puts me at some ease that it may not be something really major (expensive) and more likely an oil filter, pressure sender or pressure switch sort of problem. I will have my local marine mechanics have a look and see what they come back with.

Thanks again, Michael

 

[Michael-Searay]

Re: HELP - massive oil leak / spraying on left side of motor in engine bay

Thanks Mackonnen & Achris that puts me at some ease that it may not be something really major (expensive) and more likely an oil filter, pressure sender or pressure switch sort of problem. I will have my local marine mechanics have a look and see what they come back with.

Thanks again, Michael

 

[makonnen]

Re: HELP - massive oil leak / spraying on left side of motor in engine bay

Sorry, port side near the back of the motor in the middle of the block ... you will find a brass / bronze (probably black in color now) tee with two "bulb" shaped devices on it ... one is a oil pressure SWITCH that turn on the alarm and kills the ignition if oil pressure is lost. The other is an oil pressure SENDER that supplies information to the guage.

I tried to remove it and snapped it right off it was so weak. Hard to believe that me getting some depends on those two things remaining intact. If I would have started the engine, there would be a pressurized spray coming out of that area...

 

[OnagaCat]

Re: HELP - massive oil leak / spraying on left side of motor in engine bay

Sorry, port side near the back of the motor in the middle of the block ... you will find a brass / bronze (probably black in color now) tee with two "bulb" shaped devices on it ... one is a oil pressure SWITCH that turn on the alarm and kills the ignition if oil pressure is lost. The other is an oil pressure SENDER that supplies information to the guage.

I tried to remove it and snapped it right off it was so weak. Hard to believe that me getting some depends on those two things remaining intact. If I would have started the engine, there would be a pressurized spray coming out of that area...

I bet that's it. had that happen with our 4.3 in a former boat just as we approched the marina after a long night ride. Sudden loss of oile pressure. Drifted in and when I opened the engine compartment therew as oil all over the port side and in the bilge. That brass fitting had broken in two - sure glad it happened at idle right at the marina.

 

[Michael-Searay]

Re: HELP - massive oil leak / spraying on left side of motor in engine bay

Spot on Makonnen and OngaCat, the brass oil pressure sender was coroded and had failed near the thread housing. Had it replaced and it is running fine, gauge working again and importantly no oil to be seen!

Thanks guys.

 

[makonnen]

Re: HELP - massive oil leak / spraying on left side of motor in engine bay

Hey I helped somebody, awesome! LOL