Oil in bilge - What's the source on the engine?

[Paul]

My Atomic 4 was rebuilt in April of this year. The motor has been running fine all season. Oil pressure and temperature are right where they should be. However, I have been getting a slow, but steady, build up of oil in the bilge. The oil level reads full on the dipstick. There is but the slightest hint of oil running under the engine, it almost looks non-existant. (Much like what Dave mentions in a separate posting.) Where could the oil be leaking from? Any thoughts?

 

[Hank LeSieur]

Oil ib bilge

Are you sure it's engine oil? Could it be coming from the transmission?

 

[Eric]

Only need a drop

It only takes a drop of oil to make the entire bilge look black. I had a very small leak from the gasket that seperates the raw water pump from the engine. It only dripped occaisionally, and then only a drop or two. But, when it did leak that one drop, the bilge looked terrible. This isn't enough of a leak to register on the dipstick as oil loss. I have a Universal M25, and do not know much about the Atomic 4, so I can't help find the leak. But, it may take a while before it is located. Check the underside of the all the hoses. Sometimes oil will drip onto a hose and run along the bottom before dripping off the hose into the bilge.Good luck!

 

[Paul4360]

Could be from transmission ...

...as the transmission and motor share the same oil. (Thanks, Hank.) It just seems like a lot of oil. I would really appreciate other feedback from folks who also have an Atomic 4 engine and find oil in their bilge.

 

[Nick]

They all leak . . .

There's no seal in front of the crankshaft on an A-4 and if the crankcase is overfilled, or you encounter choppy sea conditions, it leak. Here's a good A-4 site with tons of info: http://www.moyermarine.com Nick "JuliaBell"C-27, #86

 

[joe friedman]

try an oil pad

why not try putting one of the oil absorbing pads under the engine? if the oil is dripping, you might be able to pinpoint the source of the leak by its position on the pad. as a side benefit, it won't leak into the bilge.