Volvo Oil Leak

[rosta]

I ran my engines yesterday for about 15 mins, to charge up the batteries. I took them up to about 2500 rpm with no problem. However, when I switched off I noticed that there was a small oil slick coming from the stern of the boat. It was definitely from my boat, she's moored in a marina on the Thames where the water is pretty still (it made it pretty obvious who the environmental vandal was ).

The mech setup is twin Volvo GLP Ds (petrol) with SX outdrives. The engines/legs were installed late 2006. They have done just 52 hours, the oil was changed in the engine and legs in July.

Has anyone any idea where I should start looking and what I should be looking for?

TIA

 

[bbriansim]

Hi sounds like it could be one of the outdrive oil seals if its not been run for a while it could have a little growth in the prop shaft which could damage the oil seal, a little like the problem on the new volvo drives where the steering rams were unprotected, if left for a while to allow a build up of growth on the rams the first time you turn the steering it pops the seals no steering, what a clever idea that was. good luck

 

[[2068]]

I'd start by looking at the outdrives. Check the trim cylinders for leaks. Check that there isn't an oil/water (milkshake) mix in the oil when it's changed, which would indicate that the propshaft seal was leaking.

dv.

 

[rosta]

Thanks for your help. I didn't put the boat in gear or touch the trim or steering, so would the outdrives leak if I didn't use them? They aren't leaking at the moment

TIA

 

[bbriansim]

Hi I think the trim would only leak if being used try using the trim and watch for oil with the engines off . the shaft seal could seep all the time if seal damaged are the bilges clean and dry internal oil leak with some water could set off auto bilge pump cheers

 

[oldgit]

How much of a oil film was there?.There may be a bit of residual oil left in the exhaust chamber which is washed out when you start up/put drive into water.
If you have SX drive would check for leaks from ram shafts,not fatal but need sorting sort of soonish.If it any consolation you can tell when your rams are really knackerd when you can smell the fluid when it rises to the surface of the water in big red blobs.Have put up with this for months in past in order to fix during planned lift out.
If leg seals need doing before doing any major boating btu a sort 1/2 hour trip to your lift out will not make things terribly worse.
IF you are handy you can do either job yourself.