What is the trick to find an elusive oil leak ?

[CaptainMak]

Every time we go out on the lake and pull the plug at the end of the day, we get oil/water mix coming out.
It's hard to tell how much of it is oil, but if I had to guess, probably about 1/3 quart of oil (plus the water).

Is there any tip or trick that I can do to find the mysterious leak ? Wondering how the pros would go about isolating it as the engine is reaaaaallly crammed into the bilge...

BTW, it's a 2001 5.0L V8.

 

[ktbarrentine]

Re: What is the trick to find an elusive oil leak ?

Last time I had that problem I found my oil filter was loose by a turn or so (dang lucky the thing didnt just fall off at WOT!). Another culprit is the mechanical fuel pump flange (if your model has a mech fuel pump).

Are you seeing the same amount of oil level drop on your dipstick? (of course you are!!! right? Where else would it come from?.... uh oh.... hope it is engine oil and not drive oil!)

I have starting using a very small remote video camera (Looxie2) that bluetooths to my IPad. I put it on an extension mount (a long rod with 1/4-20 threads-typical camera mount) with a small flashlight. Then I start poking around in the tight places in the bilge. I get some pretty cool videos that way.

 

[wrestling coach]

Re: What is the trick to find an elusive oil leak ?

There are dye kits and lights to see the dye on Ebay (oil dye kit) for about $10.00. Any automotive store would also have the kits.

Dennis

 

[CaptainMak]

Re: What is the trick to find an elusive oil leak ?

excellent idea. would have never thought of the dye. will try it

 

[Bt Doctur]

Re: What is the trick to find an elusive oil leak ?

oil filter, fuel pump pressure switch, no oil pressure alarm switch,dist. base gasket, oil pressure sender, valve covers, rotted oil pan, outdrive oil??????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????

 

[CaptainMak]

Re: What is the trick to find an elusive oil leak ?

oil filter, fuel pump pressure switch, no oil pressure alarm switch,dist. base gasket, oil pressure sender, valve covers, rotted oil pan, outdrive oil??????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????

Definitely not a rotted oil pan. The thing has only 40 hrs on the new powerplant. Could be any of the others, though.

 

[achris]

Re: What is the trick to find an elusive oil leak ?

Run your hand around on the bottom of the oil pan. Find oil? Start feeling around the sides. Find a side with oil, work up from there...

 

[Volphin]

Re: What is the trick to find an elusive oil leak ?

I had an oil leak recently... it was the oil pressure sending unit. Easy repair right? Not when the nipple breaks off in the block! LOL Easy outs are your friend.

 

[CaptainMak]

Re: What is the trick to find an elusive oil leak ?

I had an oil leak recently... it was the oil pressure sending unit. Easy repair right? Not when the nipple breaks off in the block! LOL Easy outs are your friend.

I can only imagine the aggravation. ez outs never seemed to work for me though. Hoping it's something easy.

 

[britisher]

Re: What is the trick to find an elusive oil leak ?

Space constraints may make this difficult, but here's my 5 cents.
Spray the engine sides with a degreaser, then hose off and let everything dry. That will get rid of any crud sitting on the engine surface. Hose off and let everything drain and dry out. Lay some newspaper or plain white paper on the bilge floor. Let the engine stand and watch to see if any oil drips form on the paper. The paper will absorb drips, whereas a solid surface may allow drips to 'run'. That should give an approximate area to focus on. If there are no drips after a few days, run the motor on muffs and see if oil starts to drip then. It's really no different to detecting oil leaks in a car engine, except less space.

 

[wrestling coach]

Re: What is the trick to find an elusive oil leak ?

A/C Pro/1 oz. engine and transmission dye (374) | | AutoZone.com

Yes
http://www.autozone.com/autozone/ac...-265k?itemIdentifier=424631&_requestid=767495

Dennis

 

[CaptainMak]

Re: What is the trick to find an elusive oil leak ?

A/C Pro/1 oz. engine and transmission dye (374) | | AutoZone.com

Excellent. I'll need the yellow goggles and UV light pen also, correct ?


Also, if it's the outdrive oil, would my reservoir tank slowly get empty ?

 

[achris]

Re: What is the trick to find an elusive oil leak ?

Also, if it's the outdrive oil, would my reservoir tank slowly get empty ?

Should do. What colour is the oil you're collecting from the bilge?

 

[CaptainMak]

Re: What is the trick to find an elusive oil leak ?

Should do. What colour is the oil you're collecting from the bilge?

It comes out brownish, coffee/cream color when I drain at end of day, but of course that's mixed with some water (kids getting in and out of boat swimming).

 

[achris]

Re: What is the trick to find an elusive oil leak ?

It comes out brownish, coffee/cream color when I drain at end of day, but of course that's mixed with some water (kids getting in and out of boat swimming).

Probably engine oil. Drive oil; should be blue (or if it's a bit older it goes green)...

 

[81 Checkmate]

Re: What is the trick to find an elusive oil leak ?

Just to add....check your P.S. cooler hoses and your P.S. high pressure hose.
I thought it was oil...but it wasn't

Checked the power steering pump and it was low......the low pressure hose clamp was loose leaking.


Good luck!

 

[Volphin]

Re: What is the trick to find an elusive oil leak ?

Space constraints may make this difficult, but here's my 5 cents.
Spray the engine sides with a degreaser, then hose off and let everything dry. That will get rid of any crud sitting on the engine surface. Hose off and let everything drain and dry out. Lay some newspaper or plain white paper on the bilge floor. Let the engine stand and watch to see if any oil drips form on the paper. The paper will absorb drips, whereas a solid surface may allow drips to 'run'. That should give an approximate area to focus on. If there are no drips after a few days, run the motor on muffs and see if oil starts to drip then. It's really no different to detecting oil leaks in a car engine, except less space.

I suggest the non-flammable brake cleaner from Advance Auto. Works well, does not attack rubber and has almost no fumes.

 

[CaptainMak]

Re: What is the trick to find an elusive oil leak ?

Used the dye and UV light today to locate the leak.

Not lookin' good. The leak is in the rear of the engine, where the intake manifold, the block, and one of the heads meet. Not sure if it's the intake manifold or the head gasket as the leak is right at the joint.

Looking at this 5.0, it doesn't seem like it's a big deal to take the intake off (I believe I only counted 2 bolt at each corner, 8 total), but I've never done it before so debating of whether to take it to a shop or try to do it myself.

 

[81 Checkmate]

Re: What is the trick to find an elusive oil leak ?

Its not a big deal to pull the manifold........ Have you worked on cars/boat motors before? If so no biggie Be sure to have your NO.1 piston on TDC on the compression stroke before you pull out the distributor. Pop off disy cap and see if rotor is pointing at NO.1 post...... If so then your good to pull it...... It will make it easier to put back together.

 

[CaptainMak]

Re: What is the trick to find an elusive oil leak ?

Its not a big deal to pull the manifold........ Have you worked on cars/boat motors before? If so no biggie Be sure to have your NO.1 piston on TDC on the compression stroke before you pull out the distributor. Pop off disy cap and see if rotor is pointing at NO.1 post...... If so then your good to pull it...... It will make it easier to put back together.

That's the part that worries me the most, the distributor and all the timing associated with it. Other bolt on stuff might not even need to come off.

The local guy at the marina says he can pull the whole engine out, re-seal the whole engine and pop it back in for $1000 out the door. Seems like he knows his stuff. Is that a good deal ? The boat is new to me (only had it for a month), and seems like it would be the logical way to go ?!

Any input appreciated.