Oil Leak from engine compartment ...

[zul]

I wiped this area down a month ago and come to find it is still leaking. I don't know the proper part names, so I guess there is a plastic L bracket comming off the main head. I believe this is where the leak is originating from ... Just a tiny bit of oil is pooling on the bottom of that 'L' connector, eventually dripping down. Same on the other side but the leaking is not as bad.

1. Can I run the boat knowing there is some oil leak going on?
2. What is the name of the part that's leaking ?
3. Any guesstimate on the proper fix-it??

Of course, I'm hoping that its the turn of a wrench and happy boating ... BUT ...

Thanks for the advice !!!

 

[tpenfield]

Breather tube . . . Since it draws fumes from the valve cover, a small amount of oil is bound to go up the fitting and the tube.

​Not a big deal, unless you are seeing lots and lots of oil. Others may comment on preventative measures.

Go boating.

 

[zul]

Just a few drips. But as it adds up, it is getting into the gunnel area.

I guess I could tape some foam around it and change it out once in a while ... like a band aid ?? No way to tighten or replace those plastic parts?

Is a Breather Tube the same as Vent Tube? aka Blowby?? Are these terms 'all the same'??

As I google these topics on the forum, it seems like a potential rebuild issue. Or a vent tube blockage ...

 

[achris]

Boat engines don't have a PCV system like a car engine, but vapour in the crankcase still needs to be dealt with. Merc do that by the system you have. the crankcase vapours are drawn into the carb intake through the 'hoses' atached to the vent tubes/breather tubes. Oil will pool around them as a lot of the crankcase vapour IS oil. And yes, eventually there will be enough oil to start dripping into the boat bilge. (Gunwhales are the areas up the inside near the top of the side of the hull).

If you're really concerned about it, replace the corrogated hose with regular thin walled hose (gets a proper seal on the breather tubes). Then when the oil condenses in the hoses it will run back into the engine rather than around the outside of the breather tube and onto the rocker covers.

Chris..........

 

[Scott Danforth]

you can replace the cheap corrugated hose with 1/2" or 5/8" heater hose (depending on your elbow fitting size) and a zip tie to clamp it tight to the fitting

and yes, the Gunwhales are the top side of the sides of the boat

 

[zul]

Thanks for the ideas fellas. Bilge - yes, I knew that. Proper term slipped by me ... I especially like the idea that I will be boating rather than rebuilding ... whew.