Slow collection of water (?) under engine

[scurr]

Hi folks,

It’s my first winter of ownership so being paranoid on everything and anything. Basically I don’t know what is normal and what is not. So wanted advice…

I get a small amount of liquid under the engine. Not a lot, maybe 50 -100 mil, over 1-2 months. The pan is split in two under the md2040 (Sun Od 37). It’s both port and starboard. It’s too dirty to taste.

• Engine service flagged nothing.
• It’s not coming from the stern gland, behind the engine is dry and no water flow marks.
• It’s not blue so isn’t the antifreeze the mechanic used
• It was happening from before the service, so no issue suspected there

I’m forming the opinion it’s condensation on the engine dripping down and picking up the old belt dust I inherited that I couldn’t reach when cleaning. Anyone had this? Any advice on tracing it conclusively?

Thanks,
Rob

 

[wingcommander]

Clean it out bone dry . Get an absorbant puppy pad in their. Monitor it regularly. It may or may not confirm source . Its good practice in my opinion.

 

[BobnLesley]

probably condensation or a minor leak, mop it dry and shake/spread talcum powder over the engine tray; that'll indicate where the water's coming from

 

[scurr]

The likely drip source, at least on the starboard side of the engine

 

[NormanS]

Looks like oil. Also looks as if there could be a crack running along the flange that the machine screw heads are on.j

 

[TSB240]

Check the weep hole on your raw water pump. That looks like a mixture of oil and water. If the raw water pump seals or shaft are worn they could be letting both by leaving a tell tale trail down the engine and dripping off the sump bolts.

 

[Caladh]

Salt or fresh water ? Taste test.

 

[lustyd]

I have a md2040 on a SO36.2.

First and foremost, check your stern shower is off, they usually drip internally from the shower fitting.

I agree it’s likely the water pump, parts4engines have the bits in a kit. Wrap some kitchen roll around behind the impeller housing and start the engine. Wait 5 minutes and see if the kitchen roll is wet. If so, replace lip seals.

Do you leave the calorifier on? Could be dripping from the pressure release.

 

[Momac]

If there is no sign of a leak from the water pump I suggest a good clean up if the area in the photograph can be reached and monitor.
Puppy training pads are inexpensive and a good way to help investigate the possible source of fluid leaks. Also useful to catch inevitable drips of oil when changing engine oil / filters and coolant.

Over this winter in particular with big temperature swings day to night I have noticed a couple of times there has been a lot of condensation on the engine but not enough to create a puddle in the bilge area . So I would say your water could be some other source.

 

[scurr]

Water pump was picked up in the survey last winter as leaking and was repaired before I took ownership. Maybe still an issue.

It feels like a water oil mix. Has the colour of olive oil with water.

The boat is winterized now, so fresh water tanks drained. The drain valve on the water heater is open. So it’s empty.

I did have a oil spill in a lasers

I’ve asked the yard to check it for me.

 

[scurr]

Looks like oil. Also looks as if there could be a crack running along the flange that the machine screw heads are on.j

I did a double take on the pic when I read that. Thankfully on looking at the other pics it’s a change in shape.

 

[scurr]

Check the weep hole on your raw water pump. That looks like a mixture of oil and water. If the raw water pump seals or shaft are worn they could be letting both by leaving a tell tale trail down the engine and dripping off the sump bolts.

It’s definitely a mix.

Check the weep hole on your raw water pump. That looks like a mixture of oil and water. If the raw water pump seals or shaft are worn they could be letting both by leaving a tell tale trail down the engine and dripping off the sump bolts.

It’s flywheel side of engine.

 

[ducked]

MIGHT be worth measuring its conductivity with a multimeter and comparing it with seawater and other fluids.

 

[MisterBaxter]

I once found a drip by stretching out the blue paper roll used for kitchen spills so that it was suspended horizontally, and taping it into place. Repeated drips quickly make a hole right through the paper, so you can see exactly where the drip is falling.