Film of ?oil/deisel

[paddydog63]

Hi Folks
When I was turning over my engine (a volvo 2003) in the marina yesterday I noticed a persistent oily film on the water presumably coming from the sea water exhaust. Is it likely to be oil or deisel and in either case what could it mean? /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

 

[ebbtide]

Careful, it might even be diesel . . . .

 

[pvb]

Yes, mine does that. Don't worry about it.

 

[holly1]

Unburnt diesel but only when it takes awhile to start

 

[sarabande]

Often caused by the exhaust heating up the silencer from cold, when the exhaust fumes are a little diesel rich and condense in the silencer, to be blown out with the cooling water.

Does it stop when the engine reaches a good operating temperature ?

 

[Refueler]

Think many do it .. mine as well.

You may be asked to sprinkle a dab of washing up liquid on it ... it's amazing, the film zaps so fast ! BUT actually does more damage doing that than leaving it to dissipate on its own. The fairy Liquid breaks the surface tension, dissolves the hydrocarbon and disperses it into the water ... giving aquatic life a severe case of sore throat.

Film on water may look bad, but fish can live with that while it disperses on own, but of course marina may not agree.

 

[damo]

[ QUOTE ]
.. but of course marina may not agree.

[/ QUOTE ]

Dead right /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif - It leads to irate phone calls from local residents and other berth holders; and possible a visit from the EA, which could be followed by a prosecution.

 

[paddydog63]

Yes it does improve when the engine warms up. Thanks for the reassurance

 

[sarabande]

the same happens in cars, when you can see water being blown out of an exhaust before all the system reaches operating temp.

 

[Refueler]

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
.. but of course marina may not agree.

[/ QUOTE ]

Dead right /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif - It leads to irate phone calls from local residents and other berth holders; and possible a visit from the EA, which could be followed by a prosecution.

[/ QUOTE ]

Which is true of course - but in contradiction to actual damage to environment. I know many marina people and boaters that insist you zap it with fairy. Great so now it doesn't dissipate naturally - it actually does damage.

 

[matelot]

boat new to you? Seems to me every Volvo 2003 does it - certainly mine does. Monitor your lube oil and if OK dont worry.