Hi Everyone!
Last night after I changed my oil and went out for sunset, I realized some oil was leaking on my way back. Right away I thought the leak was coming from the joint between the pan oil and the engine block, but today checking again I realized the dip stick is loose.
1/ Do you think it could be the source?
2/ How to make sure the dip stick doesn't go out?
3/ Replace it?
4/ Put some type of rubber gasket around the top of the dip stick?
Now you can see how looks my joint between my oil pan and my engine block, what kind of treatment do you advise?
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Ludovic François
Hotel Catalina - Catalina 36 Hull #883
Marina Del Rey, CA
If you're saying the leak is coming from the top of the dipstick tube, due to a looseness of the stick in the tub, then yes, some kind of gasket would be in order. If its from the bottom of the dipstick tube, there is a gasket between the dipstick tube at the bottom and the oil pan (the dipstick tube is held on by two bolts that are not easy to reach) which could be replaced.
As to the gasket between the pan and the block, not seeing any leaks from the photo, although I think it would be a good idea to sand away all that rust on the engine block and repaint.
Matthew Chachère
s/v ¡Que Chévere!
(Formerly 1985 C36 MKI #466 tall rig fin keel M25)
2006 Catalina Morgan 440 #30.
Homeported in eastern Long Island, NY
Judging from the picture his dipstick is through the block on the port side, not hanging from the pan on the starboard side.
Hummina
1987 Catalina 36 MKI
#741
Bayfield, WI. Usually.
Secured the dipstick and after 15 minutes run, no oil leak anymore! Still going to order a new dipstick, especially for the price: http://www.kubotapartsdealer.com/dipstick-15381-36410/
Thank you John for the pointer to the dipstick part!
Now I need to fix the sherwood pump leak (hopefully just a gasket), I have been pushing it back since the last 18 months I own the boat, but it's the time to tackle it! And repaint the engine block, but I feel way better on my discovery :)
Ludovic François
Hotel Catalina - Catalina 36 Hull #883
Marina Del Rey, CA
Hooray! It's not the oil pan! You just dodged a real pain in the butt!
One thing to take note of, at some point along the history of your boat somebody changed the dipstick setup. The reason they are on the pan on the M25XPs is due to the engine tilt. The Kubota stock dipstick that goes through the block doesn't take that in to account.
I would recommend that next time you change your oil, pull the pan plug and completely drain it. Then add exactly 4 quarts of oil, wait, then check the dipstick. I suspect you'll find that you've been overfilling your oil according to the Kubota dipstick. You may want to etch a correct line.
Glad I could help.
Hummina
1987 Catalina 36 MKI
#741
Bayfield, WI. Usually.