Excessive oil in exhaust - normal on first startup after winter?

[dwhee87]

I've cranked my 1995 Speedster about once a month through the winter, and let it run about a minute on each engine.

Got it out today to get it cleaned up, and one side was having trouble starting. After about 10 minutes of trying, it finally started and ran. Smokey, as I expected it would be after sitting. After about a minute or two, I shut it down, and when I walked around to the back of the boat, there was a lot of oil on the ground (a puddle about 2-ft in diameter), and a small stream, just a little more than a drip, coming out of the exhaust port.

It would always drip a little during those monthly winter starts, but just a little, although I didn't run it as long on those periodic starts as I did this am.

I've read up on the leaking rotary shaft seals, and the last mechanic that worked on it told me they were leaking a little, but other than smoking for a few minutes on a cold start, I didn't need to worry about it. The boat ran fine all last summer.

Two questions: 1) can the seals deteriorate that much over a winter (garage kept, in GA, so doesn't get that cold), and 2) If I take it out and run it, and that seal is shot, what's the worst case scenario?

Thanks,
DW

 

[Dr Honda]

Worst case is you replace the engine. I'm actually replacing 2 engines at my shop, because both engines will fill with oil after about 2 days.

It sounds like yours is mild. If it only is hard after winter... then you are fine. Next winter, when you put it away... just put some clamps on the RV hoses. That will keep it from flooding the engine with oil.

 

[dwhee87]

Worst case is you replace the engine. I'm actually replacing 2 engines at my shop, because both engines will fill with oil after about 2 days.

It sounds like yours is mild. If it only is hard after winter... then you are fine. Next winter, when you put it away... just put some clamps on the RV hoses. That will keep it from flooding the engine with oil.

Doc, thanks for the reply. Is there a 'reasonable' amount of oil to be leaking? And what should I watch for to know if the engine is getting close to 'worst case'?

 

[Dr Honda]

If it clears out on your fist ride... and it can sit for a week or two without giving you any probs on re-start... that's "Reasonable".


You will know when it's getting close to "Worst case" as the engine will hydro-lock, because it's full of oil.

 

[dwhee87]

Appreciate the input. Have had it out several times, and it's running like a champ.