Hello All,
Day before yesterday upon checking the bilge in my '83 E38 I found a very small amount, maybe an ounce or two of light honey colored oil sitting on top of the water in the aftmost bilge well. Seemed heavier than diesel fuel, not black like engine oil would be and not red like the ATF in the transmission..... I have checked everywhere, thought maybe an oil container was leaking. Can't find anything. Yesterday I was out in some really snotty weather that shook a bunch of stuff loose. Yesterday there was some more oil in the bilge but it smelled a lot more like diesel yet still not dyed red like I see the diesel in the fuel filter..... Hmmm. Under the nav station seat and under the port side bench seat there is a slight oil residue in some places and it smells a bit like diesel but not as strong an aroma as I would expect. There is no smell in the boat, only when you wipe the oil and sniff it. What I am wondering is is it possible the fuel tank is leaking? I have checked all the fittings on the tank and they are dry. Its the original aluminum tank. Looks like a bit of cutting may be involved to get it out....... I have some oil absorbers in the bilge to catch anything that ends up there. Any input on this appreciated. Thanks, RT
Day before yesterday upon checking the bilge in my '83 E38 I found a very small amount, maybe an ounce or two of light honey colored oil sitting on top of the water in the aftmost bilge well. Seemed heavier than diesel fuel, not black like engine oil would be and not red like the ATF in the transmission..... I have checked everywhere, thought maybe an oil container was leaking. Can't find anything. Yesterday I was out in some really snotty weather that shook a bunch of stuff loose. Yesterday there was some more oil in the bilge but it smelled a lot more like diesel yet still not dyed red like I see the diesel in the fuel filter..... Hmmm. Under the nav station seat and under the port side bench seat there is a slight oil residue in some places and it smells a bit like diesel but not as strong an aroma as I would expect. There is no smell in the boat, only when you wipe the oil and sniff it. What I am wondering is is it possible the fuel tank is leaking? I have checked all the fittings on the tank and they are dry. Its the original aluminum tank. Looks like a bit of cutting may be involved to get it out....... I have some oil absorbers in the bilge to catch anything that ends up there. Any input on this appreciated. Thanks, RT
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