4.3 V6 leaks wet oil sump

[Franco_boater]

Hello friends,
I’ve noticed the oil pan is wet in oil, do You know the common places for leaks?
I think it might be front seal and from the oil drain hose??
Is it possible to remove that leaks on the boat?
I’m don’t have any major leaks I think it’s only wet But I like when things are as it should be…

 

[dubs283]

Ime the most common leak for crankcase oil on a vortec 4.3 is the fwd corners for the oil pan/timing cover. Looks like some decent paint flaking off the pan, is there heavy corrosion elsewhere on the motor?

Best option for locating leak is to clean all residue from outside, top off the crankcase oil and monitor for leaks

 

[Scott Danforth]

no way to fix the leaks with the motor in the boat.

read @achris endeavors on finally fixing his oil leak. https://forums.iboats.com/threads/an-oil-free-bilge-finally.530929/

 

[achris]

...You know the common places for leaks?

What is the engine serial number/ (Or at the very least, what year is it...)

Chris...
(Please always put this information in your first post on a new thread. You may remember that you did 'last time', but we read dozens of posts a day, we can't keep track of everybody's engine. ie, Help us to help you)

 

[Franco_boater]

I’m sorry it’s 2005. I don’t think pan is rusted only paint is falling off.
This oil maybe is a good rust protection

 

[achris]

I don’t think pan is rusted only paint is falling off.

It's a cast aluminium pan, so no, it can't 'rust' (generally accepted as corrosion of iron, ie Ferric oxide.). Once the paint flakes off, then salt will attack the aluminium.

Chris......

 

[itsathepete]

Like Dubs said, clean it all off starting with valve covers. Valve cover leak will drip down side of engine and coat everything and hard to see with manifolds covering it all up.

 

[Franco_boater]

I will clean but I think front seal may be leaking or timing cover...
anyway if its not possible to fix it while on the boat its done :/

 

[Scott06]

I will clean but I think front seal may be leaking or timing cover...
anyway if its not possible to fix it while on the boat its done :/

Read Chris thread he went through a bunch of issues with timing cover and oil pan …

 

[Franco_boater]

So timing cover and oil pan to replace..

 

[Scott Danforth]

So timing cover and oil pan to replace..

only if you determine that is the leak point.

motor has to come out, motor has to be cleaned and then motor needs to be put on the stand first.

 

[Lou C]

Agreed I'd want to take the time to really clean that up and try to see just where it is leaking from. May be the front cover. Ironically I have not had leaks from the old tin pan and timing cover on my ancient 1988 4.3. I've been spraying them every few years with Corrosion X to keep em from rusting out. However they are common leak points on all vintage Chevrolet small blocks.
While no one wants leaks, in a boat it is an issue because if your bilge pump kicks on and there's water in the bilge, it will make an obvious sheen on the water and here you can get fined by the CG or police for that. Had to deal with that with my old power steering actuator last year. Not a fun job either but got er done.

 

[Scott06]

So timing cover and oil pan to replace..

Don't rule out spillage when topping the oil ....mine runs down the valve cover to back of engine and ends up around oil filter

 

[Rick Stephens]

Never underestimate that piece of crap timing cover's ability to leak. One of Chevrolet's outstanding screwups - right along with the crappy oil cooler hoses on big block pickup motors and alison trannies..

 

[achris]

I’m sorry it’s 2005....

That's in the range for the cracked timing cover issue. It's caused by a deformed oil pan (from factory), and the only way to fix it is to remove the engine and replace the oil pan and timing cover... I've tried everything else, only full replacement works...

Chris...

 

[Franco_boater]

So the pan was bend in the factory already? What’s the problem at all? If I buy a new one what’s the chance it will be ok ?

 

[achris]

So the pan was bend in the factory already? What’s the problem at all? If I buy a new one what’s the chance it will be ok ?

Before you buy anything, confirm that is the problem. Clean all the oil from the pan and run the engine to find out exactly where the leak is. Read through all my threads on the problem and you'll have a good understanding of what it is, what causes it and how to fix it.

Chris....

 

[Franco_boater]

I will try to clean it as much as possible but its very tough there … No space
Regards

 

[achris]

I will try to clean it as much as possible but its very tough there … No space
Regards

I have the same problem. Most boats do...

 

[Rick Stephens]

I have the same problem. Most boats do...

Bertram not known for crawl space