Smelly fluid in the engine bay, must be leaking from somewhere...

[Terra-Loon]

First off, the engine is a Volvo MD11c with Penta Saildrive.

I have noticed that there is a build up of fluid in the engine bay, it's a dark, oily colour but doesn't really smell like oil or diesel - It smells more like methalated spirits.

Any ideas?

 

[rob2]

What oil does the saildrive use? Some gearboxes use hydraulic oil - as does my prop seal (!) - which has its own peculiar odour... Also, how long have you had the boat? After a year with mine I smelt diesel, but could not find a leak. Eventually I found a hidden shelf in the cockpit locker with all manner of spare oils, grease, polishes, etc and a cracked bottle of lamp oil!

Rob.

 

[Terra-Loon]

I wondered about stuff in the cockpit locker, but it only seems to increase when I've been out motoring under load.

The hydraulic oil suggestion sounds good, if a little scary. I'm not entirely certain where the filler cap is for that, although there is a filler pipe in the locker marked "brake oil" that could be it...

 

[VicS]

I wondered about stuff in the cockpit locker, but it only seems to increase when I've been out motoring under load.

The hydraulic oil suggestion sounds good, if a little scary. I'm not entirely certain where the filler cap is for that, although there is a filler pipe in the locker marked "brake oil" that could be it...

Most Volvo Penta sail drives use the same oil as the engine. One or two use an EP gear oil but the smell of that is unmistakable. Some later ones used an automatic transmission fluid although engine oil is now recommended in those too.

110S drive normally fitted to an MD11C ITYWF .. if so uses engine oil

It would be wise to check the saildrive oil both for level and appearance. When did you last change it ? Check engine oil too.

Brake oil ????

I'd check the fuel system for leaks. Esp as the fluid level builds up while motoring.

Owners manual for the MD11C available to down load from http://www.volvopenta.com/volvopent...lication_search/pages/publication_search.aspx if you have mislaid your copy

 

[Biggles Wader]

Meths smell could be antifreeze.Are you losing any coolant?

 

[vyv_cox]

Any hydraulics, e.g. steering? Brake oil suggests that there may be.

 

[Terra-Loon]

Any hydraulics, e.g. steering? Brake oil suggests that there may be.

The steering is chain driven through the pedestal, but there is what seems to be some kind of hydraulic set up closer to the rudder. I's it possible to have a hybrid of chain and hydraulics?