Please help.. No OMC guys left in Chattanooga

[bubbz]

Alright. I have a 1977 omc 235 that is running like a new engine. The motor sat for several years. I spent last winter doing all the things I read on here that are recomended for running a boat that has been sitting. I took it out yesterday and everything was fine but I smelled what I thought was oil and found that my bilge was full of oil. Thimking the bad thoughts, I headed to shore as fast but safe as I could. The only thing I have been able to find is a pin hole in the dipstick tube down at the oilpan. My question is could this drain the oil. I ran pretty hard for most of the time I was out. Thanks for any help.

 

[HT32BSX115]

Re: Please help.. No OMC guys left in Chattanooga

The only thing I have been able to find is a pin hole in the dipstick tube down at the oilpan. My question is could this drain the oil.

Howdy, "FULL of oil" means different things to different people.......was it ALL the oil or a couple of qts?

What does your dipstick show now?

And if it's normal, or not empty... What color is the oil?

 

[bubbz]

Re: Please help.. No OMC guys left in Chattanooga

As soon as I read your post I thought to my self " I should have checked to see if any more oil is left in the bottom of the oil pan. The dipstick shows nothing. Im almost positive it read close to full when I was at the dock waiting on the trailer. But was empty this morning when I checked everything out.

 

[HT32BSX115]

Re: Please help.. No OMC guys left in Chattanooga

As soon as I read your post I thought to my self " I should have checked to see if any more oil is left in the bottom of the oil pan. The dipstick shows nothing. Im almost positive it read close to full when I was at the dock waiting on the trailer. But was empty this morning when I checked everything out.

Since you have an engine that old, you probably don't have a low oil pressure alarm etc.... If you didn't notice low oil pressure, (and you check frequently) you probably didn't hurt anything (it didn't start knocking or clicking etc?)

Older engines that have corrosion on the dipstick or pan can develop pin hole leaks that will eventually drain out all or most of the oil. Don't let the USCG see your bilge in that case!!

Did you check your oil level when you saw oil in the bilge?

 

[southkogs]

Re: Please help.. No OMC guys left in Chattanooga

I'm in Murfreesboro, not too far from you. If you wind up needing a mechanic send me a PM - there's a guy here in Murfreesboro that will look at OMC and also a guy in Mt. Juliet.

No fun towing over Mt. Eagle though.

 

[bubbz]

Re: Please help.. No OMC guys left in Chattanooga

Since you have an engine that old, you probably don't have a low oil pressure alarm etc.... If you didn't notice low oil pressure, (and you check frequently) you probably didn't hurt anything (it didn't start knocking or clicking etc?)

Older engines that have corrosion on the dipstick or pan can develop pin hole leaks that will eventually drain out all or most of the oil. Don't let the USCG see your bilge in that case!!

Did you check your oil level when you saw oil in the bilge?

I did notice the oil pressure drop and it never knocked and/or rattled. Like I said earlier, the oil checked almost full at the dock. I was afraid the rear main seal had blown when I seen the oil in the bilge. I was looking for any other leaks when I saw the rusted spot and hole in the dipstick tube. But Im not sure if that would drain the oil out. The full mark on the dipstick is about 4 to 6 inches above where the hole would be in the tube, as the tube mounts at the lowest point of the pan. I tried to point to the hole in the pic if you blow it up you can see it. Thanks everyone for the quick reply!

 

[bubbz]

Re: Please help.. No OMC guys left in Chattanooga

No fun towing over Mt. Eagle though.

I know what ya mean on the hard to climb hills. Lucky I live quater mile from chickamauga lake and my f150 dont even like that run... But I will keep that as an option for a mech.. Thanks for the tip...

 

[southkogs]

Re: Please help.. No OMC guys left in Chattanooga

Whoa! You're on the other side of Chattanooga! Not as close as I thought. I've driven through the area north of you a couple of times (Dunlap, etc.) - beautiful! But that drive up 111 is a gets a little tricky!

Hope you can fix it.

 

[Randy J]

Re: Please help.. No OMC guys left in Chattanooga

hi bubbz id replace that tube then check/ top off oil level and test/check it out. now for omc parts in chattanooga sportsman marine off bonny oaks drive is where i get omc parts for my inboard omc. im in dalton and my local shop has to order so if im in a hurry i go there.. good luck Randy

 

[bubbz]

Re: Please help.. No OMC guys left in Chattanooga

Thanks Randy, I had sportsman replace the impeller, shift "cable", rebuild the carb, got a starter and also a tilt motor from them. They are the last shop that will work on the omc motors and/or drives in the area. I plan on replacing that tube and checking everything out. I have a MESS to clean up in the bilge befor I can see if I still have a leak.

 

[bubbz]

Re: Please help.. No OMC guys left in Chattanooga

Got the tube fixed and no leaks running on the muffs. I will test everything out this week. Thanks for the input from everyone.


P.S. Anybody have a selectrim motor that works they would let go of? Im about out of arms and legs to barter!!