Redish Water in Bilge

[Hcard]

Hello Everyone, i keep getting this redish stain on my bilge and i can not figure out what could it be? Any ideas?? Many thanks

 

[Frank Langer]

Hi,
I'm sure you'll get various guesses and suggestions soon. In the meantime, does it smell like diesel fuel or transmission fluid? Does it feel oily, slippery? Can you tell if any of your fluid levels are down? Is it showing up anywhere else under the engine, in another bilge compartment, etc?
Based on your pic, and in the absence of the above information, I'm guessing it's diesel fuel, possibly from a loose connection in the fuel line, or from a leak in the fuel tank. If you have access to the front bottom of the tank, rubbing the underside with a paper towel should identify if it's leaking there, as that's a common spot for pinhole leaks.
A bit of good detective work and inspection should reveal what's going on.
Good luck, and let us know what you find.
Frank

 

[Hcard]

Thank you for your reply. Will do and revert!!

 

[Christian Williams]

If you recently filled the tank, start by checking the fuel gauge port--the one-inch hole on the top of the tank where the sensor goes. Tend to leak only when tank is brimming.

It does look like fuel (marine diesel is dyed red).

 

[Hcard]

Thank you Christian, yes, i did fill the tank recently and the wind has been quite strong around here, shanking the boat. I will check and report back but what you both gents say makes perfect sense…. Thank you!!

 

[peaman]

The commonly available oil spill pads, like "3M Marine Oil Sorbent Pads" absorb oil and fuel, but shed water. Dip a strip of that material in the bilge, and if fuel is present, it will be pretty obvious.

 

[Alan Gomes]

If it's diesel fuel I would think it would be quite obvious by the smell--no?

Fun fact: I had a diesel fuel leak out the fuel gauge port and I discovered it first through the smell before I had even observed anything in the bilge. And as already noted, it had not shown up prior to this because I had not filled the tank as high as on this occasion.

 

[Hcard]

I found these liquid which looks like fuel under the engine. As i said, i assume is diesel but could not trace any leak. Maybe comes from the little hose?any suggestions whe could come from? I chech the filter etc. The obvious places but no luck. Many thanks!

 

[Alan Gomes]

I found these liquid which looks like fuel under the engine. As i said, i assume is diesel but could not trace any leak. Maybe comes from the little hose?any suggestions whe could come from? I chech the filter etc. The obvious places but no luck. Many thanks!View attachment 42938

Well, you first need to determine exactly what the fluid is. You say you "assume" it is diesel. Diesel has a very distinctive and strong odor. It should be unmistakable. Might it be transmission fluid?

 

[Christian Williams]

Clean it out and put an oil absorber sheet/pad under the engine (West Marine, standard product).

The new stains should indicate the rough origin. Many of us keep such a pad under the engine for that reason.

Sorry, I just repeated post #6

 

[goldenstate]

Rusty/muddied coolant water is another candidate.

 

[Hcard]

Thank you for the replies! Will follow up and revert!

 

[andy beach]

Thank you for the replies! Will follow up and revert!

If you think it is diesel, check the bottom of your fuel tank. My 1990 Ericson had a pin hole from corrosion with a very slow drip. Tank was replaced.