oil in the bilge

[RichRab]

I have a 2002 Sea Ray Sundeck 220 merc alpha1 gen 2 equipped with the factory easy oil drain system with 385 hrs. on it that did not get used last season. I put the boat in for the day and noticed oil in the bilge. Probably lost a qt. in a day. Upon thourogh inspection we put cardboard under the motor and can see oil dripping around the oil drain hole in the oil pan. The fitting or hose connection at the pan appears to dripping. Using a mirror it is very difficult to see but we crawled aroud the motor and are able to spin the fitting that goes into the pan. Is this normal? Does anyone know how the hose and fitting are secured? My son is thin and barely gets in there. Any tricks to reaching it? Thank You RR

 

[zbnutcase]

Re: oil in the bilge

I don't think anything should be spinning down there, sounds like it came loose. If your son can't get a wrench on it, gonna have to remove the engine to get to it.

 

[Rocky_Road]

Re: oil in the bilge

I have a 2002 Sea Ray Sundeck 220 merc alpha1 gen 2 equipped with the factory easy oil drain system with 385 hrs. on it that did not get used last season. I put the boat in for the day and noticed oil in the bilge. Probably lost a qt. in a day. Upon thourogh inspection we put cardboard under the motor and can see oil dripping around the oil drain hole in the oil pan. The fitting or hose connection at the pan appears to dripping. Using a mirror it is very difficult to see but we crawled aroud the motor and are able to spin the fitting that goes into the pan. Is this normal? Does anyone know how the hose and fitting are secured? My son is thin and barely gets in there. Any tricks to reaching it? Thank You RR

The fitting is what is called a banjo fitting, and is made to spin 360 degrees without leaking. If the fitting is tight going into the pan, then the fitting gasket and/or the o-ring that allows it to spin have gone bad.

Happy boating!

 

[RichRab]

Re: oil in the bilge

This is what I have been told although no one else I talked to said they ever heard of a problem. I am thinking of pulling off the exhaust and I think we can reach it now that I know what to feel for. I am considering putting in a regular drain plug and using a pump to drain the oil. Will hopefully find out more on Sunday. I called a couple of engine rebuilders and they were not willing to give any info. One parts guy in Riverside NJ was nice enough to fax me a drawing, but what I see in the mirror looks diff. Hoprfully with more room we will have better luck. Thank You, RR PS thank you for the picture but it looks like a short nipple is welded to the pan(As I said looking through a mirror) then a 90 degree elbow that is spinning then connected to the hose.

 

[Rocky_Road]

Re: oil in the bilge

This is what I have been told although no one else I talked to said they ever heard of a problem. I am thinking of pulling off the exhaust and I think we can reach it now that I know what to feel for. I am considering putting in a regular drain plug and using a pump to drain the oil. Will hopefully find out more on Sunday. I called a couple of engine rebuilders and they were not willing to give any info. One parts guy in Riverside NJ was nice enough to fax me a drawing, but what I see in the mirror looks diff. Hoprfully with more room we will have better luck. Thank You, RR PS thank you for the picture but it looks like a short nipple is welded to the pan(As I said looking through a mirror) then a 90 degree elbow that is spinning then connected to the hose.

There have been more than one version of these drain hose setups...but they all work the same. I have never seen one that leaked myself, but I am probably going to follow your direction and start draining mine through the dipstick tube. You, though, have the problem of stemming the leak....

Good luck, and let us know what happens!

Happy boating!

 

[jrampey]

Re: oil in the bilge

I had the same problem last fall. Oil leaking from the swivel at the oil pan. $125 to the local marine workshop... best money I spent!

 

[RichRab]

Re: oil in the bilge

We took the batteries out and the panel between eng. compartment and batteries and my son was able to fit down and feel and although the oil pan has some rust on we are hoping that is not the problem. We removed the old easy drain system and my son does not think there was a gasket against the pan. I ordered new parts that will take a few days to come in and just hoping that is the problem. I will update soon. Thank You, RR

 

[RichRab]

Re: oil in the bilge

Update--I ordered a new easy oil dran hose and gasket from Merc--The hose came in a about a wk. but no gasket. I found the gasket at a dealer about a hour away. Someone is picking it up for me today. I will hopefully have it Mon. I pulled the old gasket off the pan and it is cracked. Hoping with all fingers crossed that this solves the problem.

 

[RichRab]

Re: oil in the bilge

Changed the hose and gasket. Still dripping. Appears like the pan is rotted.

 

[RichRab]

Re: oil in the bilge

Oil pan was rotted near drain hole. Mech said sea ray motor sits low in the bilge and possibly the previous owner did not drain the boat and water sitting caused the problem.

 

[dgopetactical]

Re: oil in the bilge

Oil pan was rotted near drain hole. Mech said sea ray motor sits low in the bilge and possibly the previous owner did not drain the boat and water sitting caused the problem.

that sucks.....gotta pull the engine $$$$$$$ bummer
Denny

 

[Rocky_Road]

Re: oil in the bilge

Oil pan was rotted near drain hole. Mech said sea ray motor sits low in the bilge and possibly the previous owner did not drain the boat and water sitting caused the problem.

Boy...really sorry to hear this!

What probably happened is any water in the oil will settle to the lowest point (drain hole), and if the boat sits out the winter with settled water there can be a point of rust eventually. This is one reason that we are warned to change out our engine oil BEFORE going into winter storage, instead of when the season starts again.

If this were mine I would totally drain the pan...clean the area with lots of brake cleaner spray...and use my finger to spread some JB Weld over (and into) the hole(s). Then I would refill the engine and give it a good run. If that didn't slow the leak down...well, you know the rest.

Don't flame me guys...pulling the engine can't be fun, or cheap!

Happy boating!

 

[PBJMAN]

Re: oil in the bilge

Boy...really sorry to hear this!

What probably happened is any water in the oil will settle to the lowest point (drain hole), and if the boat sits out the winter with settled water there can be a point of rust eventually. This is one reason that we are warned to change out our engine oil BEFORE going into winter storage, instead of when the season starts again.

If this were mine I would totally drain the pan...clean the area with lots of brake cleaner spray...and use my finger to spread some JB Weld over (and into) the hole(s). Then I would refill the engine and give it a good run. If that didn't slow the leak down...well, you know the rest.

Don't flame me guys...pulling the engine can't be fun, or cheap!

Happy boating!

I just went through the exact same thing. Drained oil, reached under there and cleaned it up as best I could, then patched with JB weld. It held for two or three outings and began leaking again. But... I'm glad I didn't assume I would have to pull my engine to get the pan out again. (1987 Bayliner Capri, 3.0 OMC). I dropped the pan, turned it a couple of different ways, and got it out without pulling my motor. Probably won't work for everyone, but worth trying IMO. As for the pan, I cleaned it, sanded it, and brazed it inside and out using small brazing rods from the hardware store and a mapp gas torch. I keep checking for oil leaks but so far, so good after 3 runs. I'll be looking for a replacement pan so I can swap for good if it ever leaks again.

 

[RichRab]

Re: oil in the bilge

As far as draining the oil at the end of season I did it every year since I bought the 2002 boat in 2004. That did not cause it. After each use I washed the baot and the water drained into bilge taking the saltwater with it. And every winter in NJ I took the plug out of the transom and left it out for the off season. The mech. put an extra coat of paint on the new pan.

 

[Rocky_Road]

Re: oil in the bilge

As far as draining the oil at the end of season I did it every year since I bought the 2002 boat in 2004. That did not cause it. After each use I washed the baot and the water drained into bilge taking the saltwater with it. And every winter in NJ I took the plug out of the transom and left it out for the off season. The mech. put an extra coat of paint on the new pan.

Sounds like you 'bit' the bullet, and did the right thing.

Godspeed...and Happy Boating!

 

[RichRab]

Re: oil in the bilge

If I went the quick fix method I would be driving with the engine cover open waiting for it to leak--and it probably would not!

 

[RichRab]

Re: oil in the bilge

Looking at the old oil pan I would say around the drain plug sits in water. If you manually use the bilge pump a good bit of water comes out. There is a bumpout on the pan that was all rusted and rotted. When the boat is on the trlr I will always try to take the drain plug out.