What is causing continuous oily + rust color discharge?

[steve598]

== Problem==
Rust color and continuous oily discharge while boat is idling. I just got it out of storage!

== Specs ==
Engine: Mercury MerCruiser 5.0L EFI (inboard/outboard) / fresh water cooled
Boat: 2001 Chaparral 196 SSI

== Details ==
I just started my boat for the first time this season (running it out of water with a "rabbit ear" or quicksilver fresh water attachment). The boat started right up and ran perfect, with the exception of two problems:

1) For the first minute, the water expelled out of inboard/outboard was a rusty color. Water eventually was clear
2) While running for about 5min, there was a light shine of oil in the expelled water. The oil was continuously expelled in the water (I saw a constant "stream" of oil in the expelled water as long as the engine was running). I stuck my finger in the expelled water and there was enough oil on top to stain the skin. It smelled like clean oil. It wasn't fuel.

== Did I winterize? ==
No. First year I haven't. But I didn't think I needed to for the following reasons:
a) I drained all water (following the manual)
b) I put in fuel stabilizer
c) Boat was inside a heavily insulated/heated garage/shop
d) Engine was also protected w/Xtreme engine heater

== HELP! ==
1) Does the rust indicate I didn't get all water out? Did I do damage? Is this something I need to address?
2) What explains the stream of oil? Is this normal after the boat has been sitting for 6mo? Is there a bad seal? What should I do?

Any help/advice would be greatly appreciated.

Steve
[Seattle/WA]

 

[Rob454]

Re: What is causing continuous oily + rust color discharge?

Check to see if your oil is mixing with water in the crank case.
Did you at any time spray fogging oil in the cylinders? it could be oil that got deposited on the manifold walls when you were winterising it if you used fogging oil. it doesnt take much oil to make it seem like you have a huge leak.
Could it be PS fluid? Maybe the cooler has a pinhole in it
ROb

 

[steve598]

Re: What is causing continuous oily + rust color discharge?

Thx Rob -

I did check below the engine (where the bilge is located) and there was no oily water. Also, I didn't fog the engine when I winterized it.

I also opened one of the drain cocks below the manifold to see if the water circulating around the engine was oily - it wasn't (it did have a few rust chunks in it).

Questions:
a) I think the oil must be coming from the driveshaft?
b) Dumb question - how can I check to see if water is mixing w/oil in the crank case? What do I need to do?
c) what explains the rusty color water that was expelled for the first minute? Did I do damage?

 

[180shabah]

Re: What is causing continuous oily + rust color discharge?

The rust was normal, ever turned on a faucet in an old house after it has been empty for a while. You get that lovely brown rust water at first, that is the nature of cast iron.

 

[steve598]

Re: What is causing continuous oily + rust color discharge?

Ahh..that makes sense

Does anyone have any other thoughts on my 1st problem regarding seeing oil in the water?

Thx

Steve

 

[Rob454]

Re: What is causing continuous oily + rust color discharge?

Pull the oil dipstick. look at the oil. its either gonna be chocholate colored ( water mixed with oil looks like a shake) or it may have small drops of wter in it. Wipe the stick and put it back in to get another reading. Did you squirt any WD 40 or any sort of protectant on the outdrive? You may have a pinhole head gasket leak. I had that on a toyota once and I popped the valve cover and found out the head bolts were loose. Retorqued them to spec and it was fine for another 70 000 miles. Look into that also
Rob

 

[Gary H NC]

Re: What is causing continuous oily + rust color discharge?

I think it would not hurt to get it out and run it as long as the engine oil looked ok. Run it a bring it up to normal temp to evaporate any condensation thats in the engine..I bet its fine.

 

[Haut Medoc]

Re: What is causing continuous oily + rust color discharge?

Welcome to iboats.....
What part of Seattle?....
Did you drain & refill the drive/gearcase?
That would be one of the things to do as well as pull the drive & lube the ujoints.....
Keep a close eye on the oil level.....
If it was indeed in a heated garage, I don't see how you would have any freeze damage....
Is this fresh water cooled as in Lake Washington or is it a close cooled system with anti freeze.......
You are probably OK though......​

 

[steve598]

Re: What is causing continuous oily + rust color discharge?

== In response to above reply ==
I actually live in North Bend, WA

1) Nope - I didn't drain/refill the drive/gearcase
2) It's fresh water cooled

== In response to Rob's reply ==
- I pulled the dipstick, it looks fine, no water in the oil - looks and feels normal
- I checked powersteering fluid level - its perfect
- I checked drive gear oil resevioir, it's really low. Right at the "Add" line.

Also, I stuck my finger up into the two outlets on the outdrive (top of the out drive, one on either side) where the water comes out when the engine is running (what ever its technically called..hehe), there is a black, soot like residue inside.

Do you think I have a bad seal on the outdrive (which is causing the drive gear oil to leak?)

Thx again..good forum.

Steve

 

[Rob454]

Re: What is causing continuous oily + rust color discharge?

Sounds like you blew a seal somewhere. You can have the drive pressure checked or you can make your own with a hand pump and a guage.
Rob