oil in bottom of boat...any ideas where it came from?

[gallmond]

Hello everyone, let me say in advance that this forum is excellent and I appreciate the great advice that I read here. I would like to thank everyone in advance! You guys are great.

I just bought a Sea Ray BR 185 and it has a 2008 4.3 Liter Mercruiser Alpha One. The boat only has 19 hours on it. I took her out today and and I ran her on some very shallow water. After I ran her into the shallow water I pulled her over and I noticed a dark oil in the bottom of the boat where the bilge pump sits. I would say about 1 pint of dark oil was in the bottom. On my way back to the dock I kept a close eye on the oil pressure and on the temperature and both were okay....and she ran fine on the way back to the dock.

I took a close look at the foot and the prop and there was no visible damage. I looked around the oil filter and the oil plug and noticed no dropping oil. I didn't see any oil dripping from the engine itself either. I checked the engine oil level and it was fine.

Is it possible that when I ran her into shallow water that some of the foot oil released into the bottom of the boat????

Anyone have an idea of where the dark oil may have come from????? Also if it is possible that the foot oil released into the bottom of the boat why does that happen (i am trying to learn more)???? and is there anything I need to do now to prevent any damage?????

Thanks in advance you guys are great!

 

[dubs283]

Re: oil in bottom of boat...any ideas where it came from?

may have come from an oil change and whoever did it did not wipe up oil from changing the filter

check the gear lube monitor, is it below the full line?

that is the only way gear lube can get inside the bilge area

did you check the oil level in the pan?

 

[RepoMan207]

Re: oil in bottom of boat...any ideas where it came from?

foot oil

????

If the boat only has 19 hours on her....I would be on my way to the dealer in quick order.

You say it's

dark oil

.....the engines oil is not going to be close to dark in color at this stage, rather a glistening goldish color. Check your power steering, trim tab, & other fluid levels to be sure, but it's most likely a leak or spill that your not responsible for to begin with.

You say you were in some

very shallow water

.......did you bottom out? I doubt one has anything to do with the other.

 

[gallmond]

Re: oil in bottom of boat...any ideas where it came from?

I checked the engine oil level it was fine;
I checked the trim level it was fine;
The gear lube is a little below the full line;
There was no oil in the bilge area before today;


Yes I did bottom the boat out in the shallow water...I am wondering if that somehow caused it

 

[danond]

Re: oil in bottom of boat...any ideas where it came from?

Depending on how your boat sits on the trailer it's possible someone spilled earlier and the oil ran forward, then when on the water it ran back. Wipe it up, start it on muffs in the driveway, watch for leaks.

 

[gallmond]

Re: oil in bottom of boat...any ideas where it came from?

I'll try that danond...so does anyone think me running aground could have been the cause?

 

[RepoMan207]

Re: oil in bottom of boat...any ideas where it came from?

I think he is right on....previous spill is my guess. Clean it and see. Watch your gauges closely.

Your hull is in ok shape....no scratches or anything right? She is back on the trailer to examine?

If it persists, just keep in mind....It's a new boat. Either it's an unrelated issue covered under warranty, or it's covered under insurance as damage.

 

[danond]

Re: oil in bottom of boat...any ideas where it came from?

If running aground did damage to the hull, you'd be telling us what it costs to have someone pull your boat off the bottom of the lake. If you nailed your outdrive hard enough to make it leak inside, it'd be broken, missing or your prop would show damage, most likely.

This is probably contained to the engine area, or the trim reservoir or hydraulic lines, the power steering cooler, etc. The key is to start it up on dry land with muffs and get in there with a flashlight.

 

[a70eliminator]

Re: oil in bottom of boat...any ideas where it came from?

If the drive hit hard enough to be forced up overcoming the hydraulic rams is it possible that hydraulics have a relief of some sort that spit out the oil? can you verify exactly what oil it is, did you spill a coffee in the boat or anything?

 

[scipper77]

Re: oil in bottom of boat...any ideas where it came from?

I think there is probably no problem but...
Where do you live? It is possible that your power steering cooler wasn't properly winterized and you are now getting power steering fluid in the bilge. Unlikely but possible. is there water in the PS fluid or a low PS level? Do you get water in the bilge? A new boat should have a dry bilge at the end of the day unless there has been rain or splash in the boat.

 

[gallmond]

Re: oil in bottom of boat...any ideas where it came from?

I live in Georgia..I will double check the PS fluid level. My next plan of action will be to put the muffs on and check for leaks. I will post what I find out.

thanks again everyone

 

[gallmond]

Re: oil in bottom of boat...any ideas where it came from?

Turns out it was a rear main seal leak and it is covered under warranty. Thanks everyone for your help!