Bukh oil leak

[Matador]

Hello All, at the end of last season after a short period of hard running our trusty DV10 started leaking oil. The leak is at the front of the engine but is difficult tp pinpoint because of the flywheel. My immediate thought is the sump gasket, which would mean lifting it out !@£$^! Any thoughts? Cheers, Chris W S26 Chablis.

 

[VicMallows]

The most likely engine oil leak on a BUKH is from the rear outlet shaft seal. Easy to replace......once you have removed the gearbox!!. This is a task I need to do on the BUKH20 in my Sadler29. It should be just about possible to remove the geabox in situ after releasing the engine mounts and raising the rear of the engine.

I don't think there is sufficient access to do this on the S26, so I fear it would be an engine-out job. The front seal is of course also a possible cause, and IFF you can get the flywheel off in situ might be possible - no experience!

Vic 'SUNDASH' Sadler29

 

[Bat21]

most likely to be a blocked Vacuum valve, common on Bukh easily and cheeply fixed by giving it a clean.

 

[clyst]

Rusted oil feed pipe . check it out at the front of engine behind the flywheel .

 

[cimo]

I'm considering changing my thinking on oil leaks. Lately I'm telling myself they are nothing more than reassuring health signals from a happy running engine! Signs of life if you will.

my 20 is currently leaking from the lower oil pump mounting stud and there's lesser leak at the fuel lift pump gasket. The gearbox is leaking at the front shaft seal. All my leaks eventually make their way forward to the front of the oil bilge. (I'm very close now to being able to justify that engine lift out).

Make a thorough inspection all round with a mirror, and start a list is probably the most useful advice I would give.

(removing the flywheel is straightforward enough - there are things you should be aware of when replacing it though - shout if you need the workshop manual).

 

[vyv_cox]

If oil is being sprayed around the engine room the front oil seal is pinpointed. Very easy job to do but the rear one will probably not be far behind, which as said is much more of a task.

 

[Matador]

Thankyou one and all for the advice. Obviously I need to have a proper look. This is the latest problem I have had with the dear old Bukh (actually it's only 11 years old). After a new exhaust, starter, injector refurbish, I was wondering what was going to be next. It's not like it has a hard life or anything.That new Beta looks more and more enticing! Cheers, Chris W S 26 Chablis.

 

[VicMallows]

Am I really imagining it, or has a post to this thread by SNOOKS concerning the vacuum/breather valve disappeared? (I came back today to read what it had to say as it was bedtime last night).

Vic

 

[Matador]

I didn't see that one, sounds interesting. Snooks, where are you? Cheers, Chris W.

 

[bluenun]

had the same trouble with my bukh,, found it had polished bores and was pressurising the crankcase,, fumes coming out og oil filler cap when running,( these fumes are not good for your health ) a fresh set of rings and de glaze the bore and it was sorted ,,

 

[Bat21]

At the risk of repeating myself, sudden unexplained oil leak from a Bukh, first check and clean the Vacuum valve on the crankcase breather. This saves a lot of speculation and expensive fafing about!

 

[VicMallows]

At the risk of repeating myself, sudden unexplained oil leak from a Bukh, first check and clean the Vacuum valve on the crankcase breather. This saves a lot of speculation and expensive fafing about!

No one was disputing that. We were just wondering why snooks post had vanished

 

[Babylon]

Hello All, at the end of last season after a short period of hard running our trusty DV10 started leaking oil. The leak is at the front of the engine but is difficult tp pinpoint because of the flywheel. My immediate thought is the sump gasket, which would mean lifting it out !@£$^! Any thoughts? Cheers, Chris W S26 Chablis.

A year and a half ago my old DV20 had a similar leak, which got worse and worse. It WAS the front seal, and the 30-year old engine had all sorts of other issues which ultimately required a proper re-build, but in the end I fitted a new Beta 24.

However, an 11-year old engine shouldn't need replacing. Get it properly checked, or do it yourself if you have the knowledge. Bukh can supply a full workshop manual and removing the flywheel is no big deal.

BTW a 'short period of hard running' shouldn't hurt the engine. Had it been neglected beforehand?

 

[snooks]

I didn't see that one, sounds interesting. Snooks, where are you? Cheers, Chris W.

Me? I'm busy being a father

What post where?

 

[VicMallows]

What post where?

I think I may have caused the confusion. Someone on this thread linked to this one:

http://www.ybw.com/forums/showthread.php?t=256568&page=3

where SNOOKS's post concerning the breather is the third down. (It appears they subsequently removed their own post).

Vic