Oil Slick

[seawolf]

Last year while using my old evinrude I noticed a small slick behind my boat. (rainbow sheen). aprox 6 inches wide trailing behind me. Because of this slick I stopped the motor offshore and paddled into the beach. Am I too worried about it. How much does one's motor pollute. The motor in question is a 69 evinrude 9.5 hp. opinions?

Is this oil coming from my exhaust? , lower unit ??. any ideas.

I realize this ain't the best time to post about oil pollution ....

thanks

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: Oil Slick

It's from your exhaust but here is a solution iboats sells a nice selection of 4 stroke motors http://www.boatmotors.com/rebuilt_outboard_motors/ and you will feel so much better about not leaving a rainbow!

 

[And-Con]

Re: Oil Slick

wow bob-you should be a salesman, but regarding the engine, be careful, all you have to do is leave a sheen and you can get some hefty fines.

 

[kenmyfam]

Re: Oil Slick

2 strokes dump unburnt oil out of the exhaust. nothing you can do about it.

 

[JoLin]

Re: Oil Slick

There is one other place that could produce a slick- your lower unit. Check/change the fluid and confirm no water in it.

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: Oil Slick

Well..... I thought I would start at selling a 4 stroke........

Go to a trolling motor http://www.iboats.com/Boat-Parts-Ac...578523--submit.Search--submit.x.0--submit.y.0

or the ultimate in saving the environment Rowing http://www.iboats.com/Caviness-bw-O...56629305--**********.589578523--view_id.38354

and then my wife reminded me that sailing is nice!

 

[kenmyfam]

Re: Oil Slick

Going to need a lot of those to pull me out of the water on ski's

 

[Fireman431]

Re: Oil Slick

2 strokes dump unburnt oil out of the exhaust. nothing you can do about it.

Don't want an arguement, but not entirely true. I've had 3 different outboards and one 1 produced a sheen 1 time. It started about a year after I had it and had a mechanic explain why (and fix it). When not in use, I would park the boat with the engine tilted up. He explained that this can lead to excessive fuel in the carbs and any formation of gunk allows the needle/seat to remain partially open while running. This allowed excess fuel to dump, therefore leaving a sheen. He cleaned the carbs and 'voila', the rainbow was gone. Of course, if you have a carburetored 2-stroke, this would apply.

Also, JoLine is correct. Check you lower unit and see if it's leaking gear oil. Prop shaft seal maybe? There shouldn't be any fluids following your boat with the exception of smooth water behind the transom.

 

[shwoop_soobie]

Re: Oil Slick

yes... if it is leaving a very noticeable oil trail, it means either your engine is running to rich and unburnt oil/gas mixture is coming from exhaust (scoop up some water that is rainbow and see if it smells strongly of gas)
if this is the case, do a tune up and clean the carbs like fireman said...
or you are leaking fluid... my boat was leaking oil from a power trim ram and was leaving a rainbow...

 

[Jimlindaday4551]

Oil slick behind my 150 Mercury.
I recently saw a rainbow oil slick behind my boat. From reading other comments I learned it was probably gas. One person got my attention when he said I was sitting on a bomb. We went to searching for a gas leak. Removed the motor cover, hooked up the muffs, turned on the water, started the motor, and all most immediately I saw the gas leak. It was in the gas line where it connects underneath the fuel rail on the driver's side. A stream big as a match stick. I was sitting on a bomb. New line it should be good to go. Thanks for the help.

 

[airshot]

Glad you looked and found it !! Could have been a disaster.....