Hello fellow liveaboards,

This evening the bilge pump seemed to be running more than usual which led me 
to discover that one of the thumb screws on the speed seal for the raw water 
impeller was loose. I tightened it and while back behind the engine decided to 
check the oil, upon pulling the dipstick water came gushing out, under pressure 
and continued to do so for quite some time. It cycled the bilge pump about 4 
times. While it was coming out I popped the radiator cap to check fresh water 
coolant level. It was fine and it did not seem to be draining.

I tasted the water and it seemed quite salty but I can't imagine that salt 
water got into the crankcase. 

Obviously, cooling water is getting in somewhere. Any thoughts on where to 
start trouble shooting?

Motor specs:
1984 Westerbeke W 27 (30 HP) ~2800 hours
(Probably unrelated history)  A few weeks ago the oil pressure relief jammed, 
dumping all the oil, so the relief valve has been replaced.

Also the exhaust had been spewing white steam (or smoke?) but a mechanic said 
that it was just steam from entering colder waters and running all day. Thought 
suspect of the diagnosis I had no reason not continue on as he suggested. But 
today it didn't smoke at all, so I thought he was right.

Now I'm at anchor and unsure what to do next. Do I dare drain the oil, change 
it and try to motor into the nearest port (about 10 miles)? Or call the tow 
boat?

The nearest port is Pascagoula, MS. Can anyone recommend a diesel mechanic in 
the area.

Thanks,
Matt Butcher
www.svkaleo.com
_______________________________________________
Liveaboard mailing list
[email protected]
To adjust your membership settings over the web 
http://liveaboardonline.com/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.liveaboardonline.com/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

Reply via email to