Oil in the bilge

[AdamB]

Hi, I went to work on the boat today, and noticed about 1/2 to full quart of oil laying in the bottom of the bilge. Checked the oil dipstick and it is quart low??? Anythoughts?<br /><br />Could there be a hole in the side of the pan high enough so that only 1 quart of oil would drain out or??<br /><br />I didn't try to start it or do anything else to it (Besides listing a used torque shift prop for sale on ebay to help cover repair costs)<br /><br />The oil in the pan was not milky or anything, and the boat was winterized in the fall.

 

[Haut Medoc]

Re: Oil in the bilge

You will have to take a mirror & do a thoroough visual inspection for starters......<br />Put that quart 'o oil back in & have a look-see .....JK

 

[AdamB]

Re: Oil in the bilge

Yeah, too bad it's getting ready to rain here and I melt LOL.<br /><br />Will have to get to it another day. I figured I'd replace the oil and see what happens...

 

[AdamB]

Re: Oil in the bilge

Okay, the oil pan is leaking I am supposed to drop it off Monday at the marina. What else should I have them do or check while the motors out??...

 

[crazy charlie]

Re: Oil in the bilge

If the starter is in a "tough to get to " spot,i would consider replacing it at this time.You may also consider replacing the oil pan drain plug with a fitting that connects to a hose to make oil changes a snap.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Oil in the bilge

You may also consider replacing the oil pan drain plug with a fitting that connects to a hose to make oil changes a snap.

Great Idea,+ a Must Have for DIYers......Good Call Charlie......

 

[AdamB]

Re: Oil in the bilge

Yeah I thought about the oil drain plug thing...do they make marine oil pans that won't rust? <br /><br />I'm sure the marina I'm taking it to will put the right one on, but was just curious...(my Uncle owns the marina but I'm not sure how much of a break I actually get). <br /><br />I offered to do most of the labor to unhook the engine from the boat and he said it'll probably only take his guys 1/2 hour to do it anyway... I would have figured alot longer if I did it.<br /><br />I had the gimble bearing, bellows etc changed last year, and it cost me over $600 so like I said I'm not sure how much of a break I get.

 

[AdamB]

Re: Oil in the bilge

Just wanted to add to the above post that I understand he has to pay his mechs and am not complaining...at least I get priority service(just in case he reads this LOL)

 

[AdamB]

Re: Oil in the bilge

Ouch...$1851.96 That's with the discount. I know owning a boat is expensive, just wondering if you guys think I got a good deal from my Uncle. I drive the boat 2 hrs to his marina (then I ocean fish) instead of the one about 1/2 hrs away.<br /><br />I'll write what my invoice says and tell me what you guys think about the price. <br /><br />Remove stern drive to shop. Disconect engine and remove. Remove replace oil pan. Remove exhaust manifolds, valve covers and spark plugs. Clean gasket surfaces. Install new spark plugs. Install new valve cover gaskets and exhaust manifold gaskets. Replace fuel line from pump to carb. Install engine in boat. Replace fuel filter. PUt in oil, start engine. Replaced belts. Disassemble out drive. Inspect water pump impeller, tube and seals, OK and reassemble. Inspect intake hose on transom. Ok. Reinstall out drive. Check shifting. Ok Remove and inspect thermostat housing and gasket. REplace gasket and run on hose. He indicated 22 hrs. labor for the above @ $90/hr.<br /><br />180153 gasket set $21.76 <br />SSP6500M Oil pan $90.16<br />RV15YC4 spark plugs $29.60<br />PH30 oil filter $11.00<br />Exhaust manifold gasket $9.95<br />7440 belt $19.00<br />7520 belt $19.75<br />Motor OIl $24.00<br />Spin on fuel filter $10.00<br />32-96081A1 oil line $39.45<br />Hi perf drive oil $17.00<br />182618 gasket $10.90<br />27-48818 gasket $1.30<br />27-53045 $2.50<br />25% courtesy discount -$571.59

 

[Chris1956]

Re: Oil in the bilge

Adam, You appear to be having quite a bit of work done on that motor. Does it need it? Does the valve cover leak oil? Why is he pulling the exhaust manifold? Why change the fuel line? Does it leak? Why inspect the impeller, vice change it if it needs it. Sometimes it just makes sense to change something, rather than pay to inspect it to find out it only has six months life. The parts prices in total, appear to be a bit higher than expected, although some of them are reasonable<br />You could change the spark plugs, oil change, fuel filter and belts, to save some $.

 

[RubberFrog]

Re: Oil in the bilge

Well, he did give you 25% off the bill. How much do most marine mechs in your area charge?<br /><br />His hourly rate looks pretty typical for mechs in my area. I wouldn't mind 25% off.<br /><br />Maybe you need to be a better nephew to him? Then he might do it for cost.... <br /><br />The price looks good to me.<br /><br />Edit: Replacing exhaust gaskets/ checking the manifold is good preventative maintenance. Why wait for a catastrophic failure? I would have went ahead and replaced the impeller while I was in there. Learn how to do oil changes and save yourself $90 an hour.

 

[cobra 3.0]

Re: Oil in the bilge

It's typical of most mechs out there to give you a full blown bill. Don't leave your underwear there, they will wash, dry, and press them for $15.95 too. Tell him to fix the pan and leave the rest. If it ain't broke, don't fix it!

 

[Bondo]

Re: Oil in the bilge

With the Exception of using a Fram Oil Filter,+ Champion Sparkplugs,..........<br /><br />You could have Done Worse.......<br />

Inspect water pump impeller, tube and seals, OK and reassemble.

For the small price of a Waterpump Kit,........ I Fail to see Any Reasoning in Reinstalling the Old 1........<br />I Bet the Labor Alone is 2 or 3 times, or More, the price of the Kit.............<br />You'll be Paying That Labor Bill Again in a year or 2,... Tops......

 

[AdamB]

Re: Oil in the bilge

I had just replaced the impellor, but it was still overheating. I asked him to check out the whole cooling system, that is why he was checking out the thermostat cover too. I had apparently put the wrong gasket in the cover, causing it to overheat at an idle. The valve covers were leaking, and the fule line wasn't code.<br /><br />He needed to pull the manifolds to make pulling the valve covers easier, plus I wanted him to check them out while the motor was out. The spark plugs were jus extra since he had the manifolds off, he said it would be easy for him to do. He said the previous owner (since I never changed them) had the wrong heat range in anyway.<br /><br />I do change my own oil, but in this case, the oil was all drained out from the hole in the pan.<br /><br />I appreciate the 25% discount, just wanted to make sure the labor for the whole thing wasn't upped to cover the discount if you know what I mean.

 

[RubberFrog]

Re: Oil in the bilge

From what you've said, it sounds like you got the work you needed at a fair price.

 

[JustMrWill]

Re: Oil in the bilge

It is about "average" cost for what was done (from my experience). Unfortunately "average" tends feel like highway robbery...<br /><br />example.. <br /><br />Fram oil filter form local autozone $3.99<br />His "non-family" price $11.00<br />His "discounted" price ($11 - 25%) $8.25<br /><br />I guess the drop of oil needed to coat the gasket is what makes up the other $4.26/$7.00...which could be true since he charges $24 for 4-5 qts of motor oil!! Wow...I know that insurance...operating costs etc need to get paid...but..OUCH!<br /><br />What did you ask him to do? <br /><br />-JMW

 

[AdamB]

Re: Oil in the bilge

I took the boat to my Uncle because I had no way of lifting the engine high enough to clear the boat. I needed the oil pan changed, and wanted it done right.<br /><br />He called me and said the valve covers were leaking bad too, and did I want him to change that. I said sure. He removed the manifolds to assist in removing the valve covers, he checked the manifolds and then replaced the plugs (he asked first). He did everything I asked, just seemed expensive to me is all. That's why I was asking.<br /><br />Yeah, the marine oil is expensive for sure, but he has to pay for it too...

 

[AdamB]

Re: Oil in the bilge

Hey, does anybody know what the above mentioned oil line (part # 32-96081A1)is? I assumed at first it was the oil drain hose from pan, but didn't see one down there??????????

 

[AdamB]

Re: Oil in the bilge

Anybody??? I hate to bother my Uncle with stupid questions...<br /><br />BTW, I took her out for a ride today, and she runs great (except the right side valve cover leaks oil)...

 

[Don S]

Re: Oil in the bilge

32-96081A1 is not an oil line, it's the steel fuel line from the fuel pump to a 4bbl carb.