Urgent opinions Request

[Jobs_a_ good_ un]

Had the boat out of the water last week on engineers request to replace crank case oil seal
Job was completed on friday took the boat out for a test and ive still got the same oil leak the it was the completly the enginneers idea that this oil seal had gone
Barrus said it was unlikely it was this part and even told him so
It looks like the oil is coming out of the breather and dripping down into the bilge does any one know why it would come out of the breather ?it was over filled in october last year but that was 8 mths ago any ideas on that appreciated
Secondly what do i do about the engineers bill i have to see him tomorrow and am right pi-sed off about the whole thing the unnecessary lift out etc

 

[SteveE]

Let him know that what he did, did not cure the problem, and get him to find and fix the problem without incuring any additional cost?

As an aside why did he not do a sea trial to see if he had fixed the problem?

 

[dt1]

crankcase pressure ?

 

[spannerman]

If he wrongly diagnosed the problem then I wouldn't pay up, especially as Barrus said it was unlikely to be the problem, sounds like he should stick to repairing lawnmowers!
Do you have exccessive pressure from the crankcase, i.e. does it blow air from the oil filler cap while running, a small amount is OK but a lot indicates cylinder wear or a ring problem, is the more than normal blue smoke in the exhaust.

 

[Freebee]

IMHO its a question of how the engineer was tasked:

If the guy diagnosed the cure himself and he has not fixed then there is a bit of negotiating to do.

if you told him to replace the oil seal and he's done it you have no option but to pay- even if leak is not fixed.

If you tasked him to fix the leak and the leak is still there then he has not fixed it and there is more work to do before the bill can be paid.

 

[Jobs_a_ good_ un]

It was totally his suggestion that the oil seal had gone i told him I thought it was coming from the oil pipe breather
I just took his advice

 

[Jobs_a_ good_ un]

He has previously worked on outboards
When the engine starts up there is a lot of smoke
When running I can see blackish smoke in the distance

 

[Jobs_a_ good_ un]

I did the sea trial to see if he had sorted the problem

 

[Lakesailor]

I would tell him he has not fixed the leak and you will not pay his bill on the basis that he was advised he was pursuing the wrong diagnosis. Put it in writing and collect any other evidence, especially any available from Barrus.
Do not accept any offers to carry on and fix the matter. Tell him you have no confidence in him, and he is now offering his second best guess.
Get another engineer who knows marine diesels on to the job.

 

[Jobs_a_ good_ un]

After I discovered the problem thursday night the next day he went down and changed the oil and filters saying maybe the oil had thinned and was finding a way out because it was so thin
i dont know quite what he was thinking with thsat one do you ?

 

[bdsweeting]

He's taking the p*ss now isn't he?

 

[Dave_Snelson]

Thats rubbish. Oil just doesn't thin on its own (well technically it does when hot, but that isn't part of this thread!). If oil does "thin", then its because fuel is getting into it - then you do have problems that you would certainly notice.

The so-called engineer is having you over, unfortunately. There are many places and engine can leak, but as spannerman has said (and I would certainly follow his advice) check for excessive crank pressure by seeing if the engine is blowing back through the oil filler cap.

Also, has the motor been lifted out recently, or maybe worked on recntly? If so, come back with details.

 

[rich]

Does your oil level in the sump drop after a good run.


I will ask one question at a time.

 

[Jobs_a_ good_ un]

The last work was a service in swansea last october where the oil was over filled it was after the return journy back to bristol that the oil leak appeared Barrus seemed to think the leak was from the breather

 

[Jobs_a_ good_ un]

There is a small drop in oil after a few runs today I did 75 nm and I would say there was about 2-3ish maybe less desert spoons which was easly cleaned up with some kitchen towel

 

[rich]

Good, so we can forget about fuel getting in the oil.

Do you have good ventilation to the engine room?


eg: if you lift a hatch at full power, does it come up easy, or with a pull?

 

[Jobs_a_ good_ un]

It does take quite a pull to lift the covers
What are you thinking ???

 

[rich]

If you do not have a good air supply for the engine, it is possabel for the oil to be sucked out the breather,ie: a vacume will build up in the engine room.
clean up the bilge, next time you go for a run ,leave a hatch open,and see what happens.

 

[Robin]

Daft question, but I assume that the excess oil from the overfill on service was actually removed? If not there will be excess crankcase pressure that will blow oil out of the breather or even past the crankcase seals.

 

[Jobs_a_ good_ un]

Thats a good point but it has run for ages and not sucked it out
Its started when the oil was over filled
Cheers