what is in my compass that leaked all over my boat?

[mike64]

My 3 year old was playing with the compass on my boat and I noticed some oily stuff on his hands. Discovered the compass in my 37 year old boat had a very slow leak-- it dripped onto the boat carpet. It's some oily stuff with a really nasty smell. I had been noticing a strange musty, oily kind of smell for a while but figured it was just "old boat smell" or something.

Scrubbed him off good, but I'm wondering-- anyone have any idea what they used to put in those compasses? Could it be toxic? Like I said it has a really bad smell to it. I'm assuming it's the same age as the boat. There was still enough fliud inn there for the compass to spin, so only about 1/2-1 oz could have leaked out, I'd say.

 

[CATransplant]

Re: what is in my compass that leaked all over my boat?

Could be any of several liquids. See the link below for a discussion:

http://www.newton.dep.anl.gov/askasci/gen01/gen01791.htm

Since yours was oily and smelly, I'm betting kerosene. Glycerine is also uses, as is pure ethyl acohol.

More exotic substances have been used as well.

 

[tommays]

Re: what is in my compass that leaked all over my boat?

It is some type of very light oil (baby oil has to much viscosity) it could be silicon or mineral spirts Ect


It is never good for you BUT dont stress it if just got on his fingers ,I would chuck the compass

 

[JB]

Re: what is in my compass that leaked all over my boat?

Most modern compasses use odorless mineral spirits. If yours has mineral spirits they must not be odorless.

 

[The Great Escape II]

Re: what is in my compass that leaked all over my boat?

Mineral Oil

 

[mike64]

Re: what is in my compass that leaked all over my boat?

Thanks for the link, CATransplant. interesting about the testing to determine just what the substance is. Kerosene seems like the best bet, but I know what kerosene smells like, I actually like the smell of fossil fuels, gas, oil, diesel fuel, I love 'em all. Could kerosene "go bad" somehow over 37 years to have such a bad smell? and tommays, yes i did chuck that compass!

 

[Boatist]

Re: what is in my compass that leaked all over my boat?

My compass that came with the boat also leaks a little. Every other year I add about a table spoon of oil. However my fluid has almost no smell at all. Also do not see any sign of it leaking but get a small bubble at the top. I remove the plug and with an Eyedropper add oil with the compass on it side until full. Fluid I use has almost no smell at all.

If it leaking then it must evaporite cause I see no sign of a leak. I think in my case maybe the rubber blatter is streaching.

Anyway I got the cumpass oil from West Marine many years ago in a pint size bottle. Price was not bad at all.