How much Oil in Bilge is Acceptable?
 

Just had my 540s built. I noticed that I am getting a little water in the bildge, along with some oil. Is something that is common place with high performance engines. I didn't have any water or oil with my 502s. When I pull the drain plug it does create quite an oil slick. Is something that is correctable? Thanks.

Re: How much Oil in Bilge is Acceptable?
 

I agree with trick, you want to find the source of the oil leak especially if they are fresh motors, maybe a gasket or surface is not sealing up properly.

Re: How much Oil in Bilge is Acceptable?
 

Couldn't agree more - no oil what so ever

Re: How much Oil in Bilge is Acceptable?
 

You have a leak. Try to get a leak detection kit - NAPA has them, they have a dye you put in the oil and a black light flashlight. Run the engine for a little while and then shine the light on it. It is the easiest way to pinpoint the leak.

Try to wipe the engine down before doing this.

Re: How much Oil in Bilge is Acceptable?
 

put some diapers down and see where its comming from, could be from many things most serious would be blow by with a new mtr

Re: How much Oil in Bilge is Acceptable?
 

meanwhile make sure you pour some bilge cleaner down there, it will help break up the oil and not leave a slick when you pull the plug.

Check the front and back of the intake, and around the distributer, front timing cover and valve covers are most common leaks.

Re: How much Oil in Bilge is Acceptable?
 

West Marine has oil absorbant socks. I strap one in my bilge just to soak up stuff I don't want pumpd overboard or to drain out. They only absorb petroleum products.

Re: How much Oil in Bilge is Acceptable?
 

Sounds to me like a problem I had with an "old school" builder who insisted on using the OEM cork gaskets on the intake manifold to block. (I do all my own assembly now) In our marine application they would always blow out and at speed the oil would exit from the pushed out gasket in the area to the rear of the intake where it is supposed to seal off the lifter valley area. Take your clean cloth and wipe back there. It's a tough area to see but you might be able feel the pushed out gasket and you can sure find the oil. As for an answer to the thread topic: NONE! --- Jer

Re: How much Oil in Bilge is Acceptable?
 

Just don't let this guy GOODT (Joe Heller) work on your boat. He is a dirtbag and still owes me $1,000.00 :mad:

Re: How much Oil in Bilge is Acceptable?
 

The oil should be in the pan....not the bilge. Seems like you've had several engine related issues since your engines were built this year---hope it goes better for you.

Re: How much Oil in Bilge is Acceptable?
 

Before you spend too much time investigating an engine oil leak, make sure your outdrive bottle/vented cap is not the problem. When I upped the HP on my 502's, it put more strain on my outdrive...the outdrive oil got a little hotter and started pushing oil out of the vented screw top on my resevoir bottles. I added drive showers and it reduced the problem but I still get some outdrive oil in the bilge.

Re: How much Oil in Bilge is Acceptable?
 

A little bit of oil looks like alot when its floating on top of the water. check your pumps and drives or anything that holds fluid. it could be something else leakin, not the motors. I had the same problem and found it to be a trim line leakingin the bilge.

Re: How much Oil in Bilge is Acceptable?
 

Re: How much Oil in Bilge is Acceptable?
 

i had the same problem with my 540's,after pulling the motors 3 times and changing pan gaskets with out any luck,i found out the new merlin3 blocks are incorporating an oil drip return line thats supposed to be a for superchargers and turbochargers to lubricate the rear bearings of these units..
the location of mine were behind the sea pump brackets and were not visible to detect the leak and only leaked above 2500 rpm's, so watching it was out of the question,i dont know what brand of blocks you have but i wouldnt rule out any of the new blocks to have this galley, it is positioned on the edge of the pan gasket by the timing chain cover.. the simple solution is to clean and fill with silicone or similar but the best way would be to tap and plug

Re: How much Oil in Bilge is Acceptable?
 

Again, thanks for the replies. Hopefully, the engine builder will be able to find in quick order. I did notice that my power steering has been using oil since the the engine change?