380DA Oil Seepage at Rear 8.1

larryrevard

larryrevard

New Member
May 2, 2017
9
Holland MI
Boat Info
38 DA
Engines
8.1 Merc
Hi everyone,

New to the group as we just purchased a 2003 38 Sundancer this spring. We're loving the boat but I noticed that I have a slight leak at the rear of the starboard engine when underway. I'm having a difficult time locating the source as everything seems dry except at the bottom of the bell housing. Wondering if anyone has had a similar problem. I plan to look further with dye and a black light over the weekend.

Any insight is appreciated.

Larry
 
Last edited:
Welcome to CSR!

You don't mention what type of fluid you're seeing...oil, water, gear oil? If it's oil, might be a rear main seal or a valve cover gasket, if it's water could be an oil cooler. Will probably need some more information.
 
You also need to specify your drives in your boat info.

Welcome to CSR!
 
If the fluid is red then you most likely have a front transmission seal leak.
 
Thank you for the responses. Drives are ZF Hurth and the fluid appears to be engine oil. I'll be on the boat tomorrow for a closer look.

Larry
 
Crank Shaft Oil Leaks get Started with Dirty Oil and Lack of Crank Case Venting.

Quick FIX is; Make sure your Crank Case is getting vented
IE: Possibly dirty Crank Case Ventilation
If the Crank Case Ventilation System is not doing it's Job then,
The Crank Case Pressure will push oil out, most likely the Rear Crank Shaft Oil Seal and the Front Crank Case Seal.

I think on yours; there is one vent (from either the Right or left Valve cover to the Rubber part of the Air Intake Plenum in front of the Throttle) and one PVC Valve which gets Vacuum from the Aluminum Intake Manifold/Plenum.

Both need to be clean and free of Obstruction.. Kinked or disconnected Hose?

In all cases, correcting or rather equalizing the Air pressure inside the Crank Case will slow the Oil leak if not Completely stop it :)

AND Make Sure your Oil is OEM Spec and as Clean as the Day you Changed it (Dirty Oil will damage the Crank Shaft Seals and those will continue to leak (Much less if Vented) until replaced).
 
I just repaired mine on my 8.1 engines, it was where the remote oil filter housing bolts to the block, both engines were leaking and needed to be tightened
 
Flying Cloud said:
Crank Shaft Oil Leaks get Started with Dirty Oil and Lack of Crank Case Venting.

Quick FIX is; Make sure your Crank Case is getting vented
IE: Possibly dirty Crank Case Ventilation
If the Crank Case Ventilation System is not doing it's Job then,
The Crank Case Pressure will push oil out, most likely the Rear Crank Shaft Oil Seal and the Front Crank Case Seal.

I think on yours; there is one vent (from either the Right or left Valve cover to the Rubber part of the Air Intake Plenum in front of the Throttle) and one PVC Valve which gets Vacuum from the Aluminum Intake Manifold/Plenum.

Both need to be clean and free of Obstruction.. Kinked or disconnected Hose?

In all cases, correcting or rather equalizing the Air pressure inside the Crank Case will slow the Oil leak if not Completely stop it :)

AND Make Sure your Oil is OEM Spec and as Clean as the Day you Changed it (Dirty Oil will damage the Crank Shaft Seals and those will continue to leak (Much less if Vented) until replaced).
Click to expand...



Thank you for the insight. I'll check this later today and post my findings.
 
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