> -----Original Message----- > Our Gulfstar 50 has a 1978 Perkins 4-236, and leaks a LOT of oil. So > much that we have a fire-resistant tarp hanging under the motor. > > Recently I noticed a hole in the bottom of the bell housing, possibly > because a bolt is missing? See the photo here; > > Is there a bolt missing? Is oil supposed to drain from that hole? Should > that hole be left unplugged or plugged? > > Any comments on how to proceed if there is oil dripping from that hole? > > Thanks, > -Neal.
Sounds like your rear main seal is doing the leaking. If you plug up the hole, oil will simply accumulate inside the bell housing. Not good! Fixing leaky seal much better idea. Its only a question of time before the oil is pouring out that seal. I once had a leaker like that and used it to undercoat my car to guard against road salt corrosion. That car typically leaked six quarts in between oil change intervals. So I just changed filters. But these days the EPA pollution cops nail you and remove such cars from the road. Better put one of those oil absorbent pads right under the drain hole. British engines always leaked oil. Hence the name British Oil Engines. <VBG> BTW on vehicles with access to remove oil pan these main crank shaft seals could often be replaced in-situ. regards Arild _______________________________________________ Liveaboard mailing list [email protected] To adjust your membership settings over the web http://www.liveaboardnow.org/mailman/listinfo/liveaboard To subscribe send an email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] To unsubscribe send an email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] The archives are at http://www.liveaboardnow.org/pipermail/liveaboard/ To search the archives http://www.mail-archive.com/[email protected] The Mailman Users Guide can be found here http://www.gnu.org/software/mailman/mailman-member/index.html
