I have checked the search engine for the forum and found several posts related to a rear oil seal leak on the W50. My engine has only about 1000-1200 hrs on it (second engine on this boat), and I had no leak until this spring... well maybe just a minor leak that was not that noticeable. We moved the boat to a new port 70 miles north on Lake Michigan, having to motor into a NNE wind for 11 hrs. When we got to our new port, I found oil in the fiberglass pan under the engine that had run from the rear of the engine to the front. It wasn't a puddle but definitely dripping from somewhere aft of the oil drain hole/bolt. I suspect the motion of the boat caused the oil to "spread out" in the pan making it look worse than it was. I cleaned it up with cat litter as I always keep some in the front of the pan, and after a few short daysails, did not notice the leak again. Then we took another trip, motoring 3 hrs most of the way to our first port at 2000 rpms, and another 3 hrs part of the way home a week later. When we got back to home port, I checked the oil pan and had the same oil leak almost exactly.
At first I questioned whether the marina who had winterized it last fall, had not done so. But then I figured if it was a cracked block to do freezing, I'd have antifreeze in the bilge like a car engine. So I'm guessing this is that rear seal leak some of you have mentioned?
I did check the oil and it is not noticeably indicating a lower level on the dip stick. Am I correct about the seal? Any suggestions?
Mark
_________________ Mark Celtic Lady, Hull #315 Muskegon, MI
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