Tan sludge like fluid dripping... what is it?

Bill_H

Cadet
Joined
Jun 4, 2003
Messages
7
Hey all,<br /><br />Thanks to excellent advice from this forum, I have gotten my 1982 RENKEN cuddy with 3.8L OMC stern drive running.<br /><br />Now, I am getting a tan sludge like fluid dripping from what looks like the front of the crankshaft (behind the harmonic balancer). <br /><br />Think its a bad seal? The fluid kinda has a gasoline smell, and an oil consistancy.<br /><br />Crank seal replacement sounds like a big job...
 

boatingfool

Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Nov 30, 2002
Messages
610
Re: Tan sludge like fluid dripping... what is it?

I would pull your dipstick and ck the oil.<br /><br />Tan oil means it has water in it.<br /><br />The only thing that would be leaking out of the front of your crankshaft seal is oil.<br /><br />If the oil has a tan milky appearance you have two problems.<br />1) A leaky crankshaft seal<br /><br />2) Water in your oil.<br /><br />Problem 2 may turn out to be a bigger headache than problem 1.<br /><br />Good Luck!!
 

Bill_H

Cadet
Joined
Jun 4, 2003
Messages
7
Re: Tan sludge like fluid dripping... what is it?

Boatingfool,<br /><br />I pulled the dipstick and the oil on it is normal in appearance. Not frothy or anything. <br /><br />I'll do an oil change to get a better look at it.<br /><br />Thanks
 

boatingfool

Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Nov 30, 2002
Messages
610
Re: Tan sludge like fluid dripping... what is it?

Thats odd??<br /><br />How much "tan" stuff is leaking out of the seal??<br /><br />I cant see how the oil would be mixing with water somewhere between the seal and the outside of the engine??<br /><br />I'm kinda curious.<br />Keep me posted if you could.<br /><br />Thanks.
 

karayj

Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Aug 4, 2002
Messages
472
Re: Tan sludge like fluid dripping... what is it?

you could have a bad seal thats leaking and mixing with moisture it ben a raining season
 
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