Merc engine + Bilge area

[rderenzy]

1997 Merc 4.3 LX Gen+

New boat owner here....
Typically....when I take my boat out, when I return...should my bilge be spot clean and 100% dry?

should there be ANY liquid, even a drop in the bilge area, under the engine?
curious if there is an over flow, or....anything I guess.

 

[spoilsofwar]

There should be zero water unless you or a passenger brought it aboard; swimming, etc.

If you're unsure, dry the bilge entirely, with the bow held high. Then take it for a ride solo.... If water appears, water is finding its way in - somewhere.

 

[rderenzy]

well...fkkkkkkk

I always end up with a good inch off fluid in the rear of the bilge - I would say 75% water, 25% oil type

actually last week, took 3 others out...for 6 hours...we tubed and cruzed...95% water (inch)
purged the liquid

last night took wife and dogs out...barely putted around...inch of fluid, 75%water, 25% oil substance

 

[turbocorrado]

well...fkkkkkkk

I always end up with a good inch off fluid in the rear of the bilge - I would say 75% water, 25% oil type

thats not to much, the oil is gonna be an issue, but an inch near the back isnt a big deal at all, not sure what type of boat you have, but i have a bowrider and a crappy cover, i get some rain water trapped in the ski tunnel and ski tunnel drain, it seems to not wanna drain untill i put the boat in the water and gets knocked loose, then makes its way to the bilge

if you go out for a whole day, check the bilge after half hour to an hour, then check it again at the end of the day and see how much its changed.

edit: if the whole bilge has an inch in it thats a different story

 

[stonyloam]

Yeah, seems I always have something in the bilge. It's when you get a LOT of something that you worry. Sometimes you have water (rain etc.) up in the bow and when you change the boat angle it winds up back in the stern bilge.

 

[rderenzy]

well, that would make sense, but I keep my boat in the garage no idea where this water is coming from.
but yes,I'm getting some type of oil in the bilge

its a bow rider, BUT!! stored in the garage.

I have no idea where even to start. its weird...go out with 4 pp, 6 hours, no oil
go out for 1 hour, 1 person, more oil.
very inconsistant

what is "the whole bilge"

 

[Scott Danforth]

if your getting water and oil in the bilge, I would suspect that you have an issue, probably an oil cooler, or could be blow by from the motor and a water leak from somewhere.

first, clean the bilge - I use dawn dish soap. get it clean to the point you can eat out of it.

second, drop the boat in the water, tie off to the end of a doc, and look for leaks - first with the motor not running, then with the motor running.

you will need mirrors, flash lights, and probably your cell phone camera, however you will find the leaks.

 

[rderenzy]

just found that my power trim res is mustard yellow
so I'm hoping perhaps I just have some loose connections in the back - maybe this is attributed to the bilge fill up

 

[Scott Danforth]

if you are drawing in raw water into the trim system, then yes, it is possible.

 

[rderenzy]

yes, it pulls in water for cooling

 

[Scott Danforth]

your trim system is a separate oildyne 108 hydraulic pump without cooling as most of the system sits in the water

your power steering system has an oil cooler, and gets the first water from the outdrive.

 

[rderenzy]

ok. I removed all of the mustard yellow trim fluid and replaced so its nice and clear. i'll look for things that need to be tightened and check that for intruding water over the next month

The power streering was very dark, i'll extract all of that and replace.

Then when I get the oil in the bilge, if its dark oil, i'll know its motor oil and not powersteering/trim

 

[Rick Stephens]

Other thing possible is leaky bellows and the oil is grease mixed with water from the u-Joints and gimbal bearing. Usually the water and grease is mostly 'osterized' by the CV joint whipping it up together in the bellows. I had that once in a leaky Alpha1.

 

[rderenzy]

I checked all bolts and connections, everything seems solid.
could be aleaky bellows, I never inspected them during the winterizing process

thinking maybe I should just take it to a marina, or boat shop - I fear its the engine leaking

 

[rderenzy]

no idea on the water, but I think I finally found some oil drips in this area of engine - posted a new thread so its not "bilge" related
http://forums.iboats.com/forum/engi...outdrives/10193730-engine-hole-patch-job-leak