wicked oil smell and small puddle of oil under motor Volvo penta 4.3

[newboatowner88]

I've taken my boat out twice since purchasing it. It's a 2007 reinell 197LS. Both times I've noticed a strong oil smell coming from (or at least more concentrated in) beneath the passenger seat and drivers seat. And at the end of the boating day I noticed a small puddle of oil beneath the motor. Can anyone help me figure this out? So far the repair shop has said they have been unable to find a leak anywhere... maybe we can help them out?

 

[Don S]

Re: wicked oil smell and small puddle of oil under motor Volvo penta 4.3

The only way you are going to find a leak is to look for it. Run the boat with the cover off and keep an eye on things until you find the leak.
Placing oil absorbent pads under the engine will help find where it's dripping from, then clean the engine and spay with talcum power and watch for streaks where the oil runs through the powder.