www.iFourWinns.com

After about 3 hours of running I have what bay be 100m or 200m of oil in the sump.
I notice the stbd engine is slightly overfull with oil - could this contribute?

No loss on any dipstick....

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GI Auz
2004 288 Vista
Twin 4.3 Merc


Previously:
Beneteau 411 Non-Stink

Same on mine at the moment, i wouldn't have thought it is the slight overfill.

If it's definitely engine oil and not power steering fluid, there aren't many places it could come from.
You need to clean the block(s) up, take it for a spin and then try and find out where abouts it's coming from.

Suspects include Valve Cover gaskets (Easiest/cheapest to fix), Oil Filter, Oil Pressure sender fittings, Distributor fixing or at worst case, Sump Gasket, Timing Cover Gasket and Front/Rear Main oil seals. Either of these four will need engine removal to fix properly, although people have in the past fixed whilst in situ.
Once you can identify where abouts the leak is coming from the easier it will be to pinpoint the cause.

Have you had, or done an oil change recently? Sometimes the oil filter gasket from the old filter will stick to the block and when you put the new filter on, it will create a gap (2 gaskets) which allows it to drip into the bilge. Happened to me last summer.

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1996 205 Sundowner DLX
5.0FL Volvo SX Cobra
Tow Veh: 2012 Nissan Frontier Pro-4X

thanks - will check.

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GI Auz
2004 288 Vista
Twin 4.3 Merc


Previously:
Beneteau 411 Non-Stink

Do your engines have the remote reservoir for the outdrive lube? If so, check the caps to see if the O-ring/seal is missing.
Mine started leaking last summer and what I have found here on the web is they will leak if the seal on the caps is missing or deformed.
I have to check mine in the spring.

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2004 248 Vista "Amante"
MC 5.0MPI/B3

I've got the 4.3 (although its Volvo, still the same block). My leak was a crack in the plastic timing chain cover. Started small, got severe in a hurry! Look around the front of the motor, when mine started leaking it was running down the ridge of the oil pan and dripping off the back of the motor, so it took a minute to find the culprit. If that is your problem, it can be fixed without pulling the motor to pull the oil pan off, but you have to modify the gasket for the cover some.

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1999 180 Horizon LS 4.3 L GL Volvo SX
1994 Powerstroke
2002 Jeep Wrangler
not@work.gon
Happiness is an Empty Boat Trailer!!!

sprinkle some baby powder in the bilge area. you will find where it's coming from and it will smell pretty.

starboard trim drive reservoir had a small crack - an easy fix in my case thankfully.

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GI Auz
2004 288 Vista
Twin 4.3 Merc


Previously:
Beneteau 411 Non-Stink

I had a small oil leak that I finally traced to the fittings on the hoses going to the oil filter. Instead of something complicated and expensive it took only a turn of a wrench to fix the problem. How often does that happen on a boat?

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2006 Sundowner 255, 5.7 GXi, 320 hp
"Simply Irresistible"