When we bought the boat in 2011, one of the first things I did was replace the leaking Sherwood raw water pump with an Oberdorfer.
The leak had apparently been there awhile, for the dipstick tube under it had rusted.
Wanting to prevent an oil leak, I ordered a new tube about a year later. For $165.
However, the old tube was working, and the replacement task looked difficult. So I left it for a couple years.
The reason it's difficult is the location. I dearly love almost every aspect of our Bristol. Engine access ain't one of them. It's ok, but some things are out of easy reach.
See pics. There is access under the galley sink, the companionway steps are removable, there is an access panel in the quarter berth to port, and a large access via removable panels in the sail locker to starboard.
Still, pretty much any job requires bending in through a side.
Just about the most inaccessible piece is the bottom of the dipstick tube. In the pics, you can see my new shiny tube there to the left of the engine mount. The dipstick pull ring is just to the upper left of the raw water pump. In the closup is the bottom and its offending gasket.
When I installed it, had to do it by feel, upside down in the sail locker. Drain the oil first. Locate the tube and screws and gasket, and get it fastened with only the tips of my fingers. Blind. Getting a wrench on the bolts after was a bit easier. Took 2 hours.
I just put it in a couple years ago, and the gasket has already disintegrated and is leaking oil. Part of the outside of the gasket came apart in my hand as I felt for the leak. I first noticed the leak just today when working in the bilge forward of the engine.
What is infuriating is that I had spent the money and blood sweat and cussing so as to PREVENT AN OIL LEAK.
One thing that was odd about that gasket, and it's the one from Universal, is that it was thick, about 2 or 3 mm, and rubbery. Unlike the gasket that I had removed. I thought it suspicious, but it came from the mfg so....
I have a call into Toad Marine for a new gasket. I've asked for a different version if avail.
--- Any ideas on what went wrong?
The leak had apparently been there awhile, for the dipstick tube under it had rusted.
Wanting to prevent an oil leak, I ordered a new tube about a year later. For $165.
However, the old tube was working, and the replacement task looked difficult. So I left it for a couple years.
The reason it's difficult is the location. I dearly love almost every aspect of our Bristol. Engine access ain't one of them. It's ok, but some things are out of easy reach.
See pics. There is access under the galley sink, the companionway steps are removable, there is an access panel in the quarter berth to port, and a large access via removable panels in the sail locker to starboard.
Still, pretty much any job requires bending in through a side.
Just about the most inaccessible piece is the bottom of the dipstick tube. In the pics, you can see my new shiny tube there to the left of the engine mount. The dipstick pull ring is just to the upper left of the raw water pump. In the closup is the bottom and its offending gasket.
When I installed it, had to do it by feel, upside down in the sail locker. Drain the oil first. Locate the tube and screws and gasket, and get it fastened with only the tips of my fingers. Blind. Getting a wrench on the bolts after was a bit easier. Took 2 hours.
I just put it in a couple years ago, and the gasket has already disintegrated and is leaking oil. Part of the outside of the gasket came apart in my hand as I felt for the leak. I first noticed the leak just today when working in the bilge forward of the engine.
What is infuriating is that I had spent the money and blood sweat and cussing so as to PREVENT AN OIL LEAK.
One thing that was odd about that gasket, and it's the one from Universal, is that it was thick, about 2 or 3 mm, and rubbery. Unlike the gasket that I had removed. I thought it suspicious, but it came from the mfg so....
I have a call into Toad Marine for a new gasket. I've asked for a different version if avail.
--- Any ideas on what went wrong?
