greasy bilge part 2, oil leak

[Maciej]

Hello all

Once again with the greasy bilge, I did a great job cleaning up the bilge, looked really nice and had a little bit of oily/greasiness in the bit of water remaining, but I wasn't worried about it. Over the last 3 weeks or so, however, I was getting an oily trail from the back of the boat down the driveway. At first I thought it was that remainder leaking out but finally had a look and my oil tank which was 1/3 full is now completely empty, which explains why no amount of purging of the bilge water was removing the greasiness. I've done a quick look, doesn't seem to be leaking around the tank but I'd have to remove it to be sure.

Where else should I be looking for leaks? I'm assuming somewhere down below because the lines are clear of oil as well.

Thanks guys

Maciej

PS 1996 Challenger with single 787.

 

[kustomkarl]

If the oil lines are empty as well check the end of the lines where they enter the carb.

Karl

 

[Maciej]

Had quick look yesterday after posting my issue and it looks like the return line (I think that's what it is, one that goes to the top of the tank) still has oil in it, but the others are empty. Maybe over the winter as time permits I'll dive in and start taking stuff apart because it looks like it's difficult to get under the engine where all the oil lines seem to run. Should I consider swapping the oil lines while I'm at it? They seem to have some dark splotches or build up inside them. Just regular tubing from Home Depot or car parts store work?

Thanks and if anybody has any other suggestions I'd appreciate it.

Maciej

If the oil lines are empty as well check the end of the lines where they enter the carb.

Karl

 

[JPX]

If you are messing with oil lines on a 10-15 year old boat, it would be worth changing the hoses. They are a total pain to get to on the block.

You would need to plan on removing most of the exhaust piping and the air box on the carbs to get to the fittings and hose clamps.

The tips of the hoses will get hard and crack. So this is a possible leak source.

But you should also check the connections to the oil pump.

And of course, check the grommets on the oil reservoir. This is a very simple (if messy) fix. If you are really being cheap, switch the bottom and top grommets.

 

[Maciej]

Thanks for the excellent advice. After a quick inspection I already had the feeling that I would be removing the exhaust to get to the tubing. I'm thinking it's not leaking near the oil tank because the tubing was nice and dry, no new greasy, slippery spots. I will of course change the grommets on the tank if I'm doing the tubing anyway, don't need to be doing it a couple of times.

Thanks for the help and hopefully that'll be all of my problem

Maciej

If you are messing with oil lines on a 10-15 year old boat, it would be worth changing the hoses. They are a total pain to get to on the block.

You would need to plan on removing most of the exhaust piping and the air box on the carbs to get to the fittings and hose clamps.

The tips of the hoses will get hard and crack. So this is a possible leak source.

But you should also check the connections to the oil pump.

And of course, check the grommets on the oil reservoir. This is a very simple (if messy) fix. If you are really being cheap, switch the bottom and top grommets.