Bilge cleanup - oil change failure!

[winbasic]

** I'm not sure if this is the right forum so if I've erred, apologies in advance!!

When doing an oil change for the 2nd time, I've managed to still end up spilling oil in the bilge. It seems to come about from not being able to get the oil filter out easily and therefore it drips when I have to puncture it to get it to turn. I now know that I need a larger oil filter wrench but that's another story!

Anyway, I now have oil in my bilge water and also an abudance of water after degreasing and rinsing my engine from a previous belt failure. My wife can't replace the towels quick enough at home and I don't have any spare ones which I usually use to soak up the water. There's got to be a cheaper way and I'm hoping someone can direct me to an internationally available product that absorts bilge water. The problem is that the bilge pump only gets so low and then the water sits in the V and I reckon there's still about 5 litres of water there.

Are there any portable pumps that can suck the water up or mats that people use to overcome this?

 

[raven7]

Re: Bilge cleanup - oil change failure!

How about using a shop vac? They do fine sucking up fluids.

 

[winbasic]

Re: Bilge cleanup - oil change failure!

How about using a shop vac? They do fine sucking up fluids.

I was hoping for something a little more portable or disposable. Even some sort of bilge pump with a remote pickup but I can't see anything around. I thought it would be a problem other people have but from what I'm reading, it sounds acceptable to have a bit of fluid in the bilge but personally I'd like to leave it clean.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Bilge cleanup - oil change failure!

Ayuh,... About a Case of Bounty paper towels otta do the job...

 

[EddiePetty]

Re: Bilge cleanup - oil change failure!

...as you are reluctant to use a ShopVac, contact your local HazMat / Oilspill experts and they can lead you to a vast array of super-asborbant mats designed for just this purpose. I have used similar mats when I experienced a nasty oil spill on a submarine (but for the life me I cannot remember the name of the product). Secondly, a conversation with your local fire department will lead you to several sources.
FWIW...Ed in 'ol Virginny

P.S.
Can't imagine why that oil just doesn't run out Down Under !!!

 

[winbasic]

Re: Bilge cleanup - oil change failure!

P.S.
Can't imagine why that oil just doesn't run out Down Under !!!

It did....down under the blasted engine !!

 

[Bart Sr.]

Re: Bilge cleanup - oil change failure!

What you want/need is Pig Pad.Just Google with keywords-pig pad- and go from there.

Also for future changes put an open garbage bag under the oil filter to catch the drips.

 

[Grand Larsony]

Re: Bilge cleanup - oil change failure!

I just dropped my (full) oil filter in the F-ing bilge yesterday. Damn thing was so slippery I just jumped out of my hands, over the bucket, around the towel, and well out of reach.

FYI - you cannot pump oily water out the bilge pump... it's against the law and is not something a responsible person should consider.

With my twin engines, I'm screwed... can't even think of reaching down there to clean it up manually. Had to rig a coat hook to pull the filter out, and of course it dumped about a quart of oil.

I'll be doing this:

1. Squirt Dawn dish-soap into the oily bilge water. Let it slosh around a few days. Hit it with a hose (very briefly, just a small amount of water).

2. Stick some of those oil-zorb pads from Worst Marine down in there. Should grab most of the oil and lock it up in the pad.

3. Repeat steps 1 and 2.

4. Vac the remaining water and inspect... if not too bad then it'll get dumped on dry land (inland). If bad it goes into jugs and to a legal drop-off place.

5. Then I'll just deal with a little mess in the bilge. I've NEVER seen a boat that is perfect down there, and I don't really care if mine is not 100% clean. Just as long as it's clean enough to see a problem developing, that's fine with me.

Best regards and good luck.

 

[Alumarine]

Re: Bilge cleanup - oil change failure!

You shouldn't need an oil filter wrench to remove the oil filter if you install it properly.

3/4's of a turn after the gasket makes contact.

Put oil on the gasket.

 

[lucky7]

Re: Bilge cleanup - oil change failure!

it you poke a hole in the filter and let it drain before removing it it will make less of a mess when you drop it.

 

[rbh]

Re: Bilge cleanup - oil change failure!

A couple of thoughts on this one, first of all it sounds like you and I have the same problem with the oil filters location. I am trying to locate a remote mount for my 260 mercs, as there are twins in our boat and no room to move.
As well you should be able to pick up a spill kit at a autoparts store, lots of large and small absorbant pads made for petrolium absorbtion.
rob

 

[scutly]

Re: Bilge cleanup - oil change failure!

http://www.iboats.com/Spill_Kits/dm/*******.833176008--**********.423605686--view_id.246637

and

http://www.iboats.com/Boat_Blige_Cleaner/dm/*******.833176008--**********.423605686--view_id.217312

direct from our very own backyard

 

[jdlough]

Re: Bilge cleanup - oil change failure!

Pampers?

 

[Grand Larsony]

Re: Bilge cleanup - oil change failure!

FWIW, I have the remotes on my twin 260's... and still dropped the damn filter. Sure does make it much easier, however. I recommend them highly.

 

[Grand Larsony]

Re: Bilge cleanup - oil change failure!

And if you do get them be sure to add extra oil - they take up about a half-quart. Always do a final check using the dip-stick.

 

[winbasic]

Re: Bilge cleanup - oil change failure!

Thanks for the tips guys - for the record, when I said about pumping out, I meant pumping out to a bucket or bottle and not directly into the ocean.

The garbage bag sounds like a brilliant idea - note to self for future attempts! I'll look around for some of the products mentioned regarding soaking up the fluid. I suspect that once it's cleaned down there I'm going to find my next problem which I believe is a small drip coming from the front of the sump pan behind the sea pump so a clean floor will help me gauge the size of the drip. The sump pan doesn't look like the easiest thing to remove but that's another headache for another day.

Thanks again for the help.