4.3L Oil Leak - front oil pan area

[jrampey]

I'm cruising for any info on oil leaks at the front of the 4.3L engine... I've been dealing with this leak all last season. Finally broke down and let my local marine shop yank the engine to find the leak. He started the engine on a bench and found oil leaking from just below the harmonic balancer. It appears to be leaking from the gasket between the oil pan and block. Is this a common leak?

I read this thread some months ago... could I possibly have the same problem? http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=373060&highlight=4.3+oil+leak+timing+cover

Thanks for any advise.

 

[Bondo]

Re: 4.3L Oil Leak - front oil pan area

I read this thread some months ago... could I possibly have the same problem?

Yes,... I was gonna tell ya to search up Chris's thread about it....

 

[Don S]

Re: 4.3L Oil Leak - front oil pan area

.. could I possibly have the same problem?

Anything is possible........

Only way you are going to know for sure is to pull it apart and look.

 

[jrampey]

Re: 4.3L Oil Leak - front oil pan area

I talked to my mechanic yesterday... He said he looked at the timing cover and all is well. But, this engine has a hose connected to the oil pan that can be pulled out through a plug in the transom to drain the oil. Close observation indicated a leak somewhere along the hose as well as the oil pan gasket... He ordered a replacement. (He grumbled that he didn't like these hoses... he's seen several with leaks.)

My question is: should I consider something else? I do like the convenience of draining the oil through the hose - but I don't want another oil leak - ever! If necessary I'll put a regular plug and use a vacuum pump to remove the oil.

 

[Bondo]

Re: 4.3L Oil Leak - front oil pan area

Close observation indicated a leak somewhere along the hose

Ayuh,... Your's is the 1st I've heard of, so I guess you can do whichever you please...

 

[jrampey]

Re: 4.3L Oil Leak - front oil pan area

A little more light... my mechanic said he had another customer who removed the plug while stored (thinking it was the bilge drain!)... then forgot to put it back in... after a few minutes of running he got an oil pressure warning... you guessed it! the plug and hose was pulled into the prop and the hose was cut... all of the oil drained into the bilge and into the lake - BP's gulf of Mexico oil spill all over again!

I think I'll be Ok with a replacement hose... I'll try to remember to keep the plug in place!

 

[jrampey]

Re: 4.3L Oil Leak - front oil pan area

Got the boat back yesterday... 11 hours of labor @ $60. $300 in parts... oil, filter, plugs, waterpump, gaskets, etc. Took the boat to the lake and ran it for 2 hours. Not a drop of oil! Only disappointment of the day - filled up the gas tank 41 gals @ 3.40 = $139.00 Ouch!

 

[jrampey]

Re: 4.3L Oil Leak - front oil pan area

The leak is back!!! I haven't posted in 2 years... boats been running perfect - until now!!!

I've been dealing with oil in the sump for the past 2 weeks! After changing the oil and filters (myself)prior to getting on the lake after the winter - I saw the dreaded oil in the sump... arg! I hoped it was from over filling - dipstick registered full after the oil change, but I was hoping. washed out the bilge yesterday and went for a ride... dipstick showed 1/2 qt low prior to ride... more oil... arg!!!

I laid a mirror in the sump with a bright light and started looking - oilpan looked oily near the front - wiped it down with a clean rag and started the engine - after only 1 minute I saw a little stream of oil make its way down the front of the oilpan.

I'm retired now so I'll be taking the engine out myself... I have the manuals, this forum, and a lifetime of playing with engines, but I've never pulled an engine out of a boat. I also have a hoist and engine stand.

I have reviewed Achris' post from 2011... I'd welcome any advise.

Thanks,

Joe

 

[dubs283]

Re: 4.3L Oil Leak - front oil pan area

safety first, btw you may want to start a new thread regarding your engine pull, kinda bad orm to revive old threads (even if they're yours)