Oily Engine (1GM10)

[Topcat47]

Returning from the Cherbourg bash I had to use the engine for a few hours. Down on the boat last weekend, I noticed the engine is coated with a fine oily mist. The sound proofing is likewise coated. The belt is dry and there seems to be no hint of a leak, leading to oil being thrown around by any of the pulleys.

The breather pipe is not split or hanging loose.

No obvious signs of a leak.

Any ideas?

 

[steve28]

can only be a few things, oil pipe on rear of engine going to head, this has main bearing pressure on it so if it got a pin hole its going to go everywhere, next is the inlet itself. could be inlet valve leaking so you could expect to see atomised oil everywhere.

Steve

 

[Pye_End]

Definately oil, or could it be diesel?

 

[agurney]

Pound to a penny it's the oil pipe underneath the water pump.

 

[planteater]

Pound to a penny it's the oil pipe underneath the water pump.

Yep - water leaks from the pump drip onto the oil pipe and corrode it. A common upgrade for the IGM10 is a flexible oil pipe.

Here's a pic of mine - the black pipe from the oil filter replaces the original that is positioned to catch every drop of condensation or leakage.

 

[Evadne]

If you do fit a flexible pipe make sure it can handle the pressure - I was going to do that on mine but was warned against it by the local diesel mech, Alan Dibley at HYC. The pipe is the feed from the pump to the filter, I forget the actual pressure (20psi?) but a bit of flexible pipe and a couple of jubilee clips could cause more problems than it solves. You'll need proper swaged fittings like in Planteater's above. A cheap and simple alternative is to paint the new pipe (or the old one repaired) with epoxy and/or hammerite.

Another alternative cause could be diesel, from the HP pump or injector. Running the engine while watching it might show up the cause.

 

[VicS]

If everything in the engine compartment is evenly covered with an oily film Id take another close look at the breather and other aspects of the crankcase ventilation.

Id expect an oil leak from something like the oil pipe mentioned above to produce a more localised effect and for the source to be fairly obvious and easy to locate.

Tiny leak on the fuel system might be another possibility but the small of diesel fuel would be a pretty good good clue to that.

( check the dipstick is fully inserted )

 

[Pye_End]

( check the dipstick is fully inserted )

One of my crew checked the oil level (also 1GM10), and put the dip stick back. It felt fine, with the usual feel as it is pushed home.

However, it turned out to have been pushed in between the block and a hose, and after a short time of motoring it was surprising how much oil littered the engine compartment.

 

[Appledore]

If you do fit a flexible pipe make sure it can handle the pressure .

Even if it isn't the oil pipe, consider replacing it anyway. I noticed mine was showing rusty patches, and decided to replace it. Took the pipe to my local Hydraulics Unit, and they made up a new pipe whilst I waited, with flexible hydraulic tubing (very high pressure rating!), with swaged ends for a tenner. The Yanmar part is about £80!!

 

[Appledore]

If you do fit a flexible pipe make sure it can handle the pressure.

Even if it's not the oil pipe leaking, it's just as well to replace it as soon as you can.

The pipe on my 1 GM looked fine, but in fact was starting to show rust on it just underneath the water pump, which does drip salt water at times. I took the pipe into my local Hydraulic Unit who made a new one, whilst I waited, from high pressure hydraulic hose, with two banjo connections swaged on, and all for a tenner! The Yanmar replacement is about £80!!

(Sorry if this reply might appear twice, as I only joined yesterday, and my reply from last night has disappeared!)

Geoff