4.3 Remote oil leak

[shorething2015]

I have a 2000 270 Sundancer with twin 4.3's w/remote oil filter kits. Been noticing small amounts of oil in the bilge coming from the port side of the port engine for a while. I jumped down in the bilge while the engine was running and the oil was coming from above the engine mount - what I was able to see was an occasional drip from under the hoses (I think the side one to be specific). Really difficult to see.

So the question is and before I have to learn to stand on my head to remove and replace the 2 hoses, could it be something else I need to look at?

Engine oil level reads full which makes me a little suspicious of the drive reservor above - which I noticed a 1/4 reduction several times. I tied rags around the bottoms of both the drive reservoir and the remote oil filter - both dry as a bone...

Also, oil is dark in the bilge, looks nothing like the green merc drive oil...

Thoughts please ....

 

[shorething2015]

I thought I would update this post with the resolution. It was fairly simple, over the years apparently the remote mount that spins onto the block where the oil filter would normally be mounted came lose. There is a hose that mounts to the side and the bottom of the mount. The bottom fitting that holds the mount in place which the hose attaches to was lose. I wanted to try and tighten the fitting which would require 2 wrenches (holding the hose fitting in place while tightening the mount fitting back to the block) Unfortunately there was no way, mount fitting and hose fitting weren’t cooperating. Probably best because the rubber gasket most likely needed to be replaced. Since a made the decision I was replacing both hoses anyway, I got under there with a dremel and cut the the stainless portion of the hose at the bend which alowed me to easily spin off the mount. I ordered the replacement gaskets and the 2 hoses ..... installation was a snap. Oil problem fixed.

 

[SeadawgVB]

I'm glad you came back and posted the resolution. I can't tell you how many times I've searched forums over the years to look for common issues and find them only to see no actual resolution.

 

[SteveRuss]

I also have what looks like small leaks coming from the remote hoses or mounts. Ordered new lines and new gaskets but I am probably going to hold off until I have to replace the manifolds. I could probably get to the port side mount but the starboard engine will require me to go through the two motors for access. Smart about cutting the lines rather than trying to unscrew them. I did the same thing with the trim cylinder lines when changing them since I was replacing them anyway.

 

[Strecker25]

Did both of our remote oil hoses over the winter as well (5.7's)

Getting the block side off was a huge PIA and I took the exhaust off to get access. Our port engine has the generator right next to it so it's very tight. I used a crows foot wrench and a ratchetimg box wrench to get it off, then replaced all gaskets. No more leaks, but those hoses were pricey (i used the Merc stuff)

 

[SteveRuss]

yeah, already bought them but in hindsight, I should have measured and had braided compression lines made instead. Much longer life expectancy than those pressed mercruiser lines.