I did a tour of the upper Chesapeake over the Labor Day weekend in my new to me Cape Dory 30b. Other than the delivery trip from NYC to Halva de Grace it was the first significant trip I’ve taken since she came into my hands in April (core replacement, painting, antiskid and general maintenance kept me from doing anything but day trips) Left the Bush River Friday afternoon, which is north of Baltimore, and was caught in a bit of a squall with winds of 34 mph, it blew over quickly and had nice sail south to vicinity of Rock Hall which is where I had planned to spend the night.
About 9 pm, after taking down the sails, I was motoring towards the channel into the harbor when I smelled smoke and a second later my engine alarm went off. I quickly pulled the kill switch and made my way into the cabin which was filling with smoke (total elapsed time before engine was shut down, perhaps 5 seconds). Taking off the engine hatch I observed an engine compartment that appeared to have been the scene of an oilman’s murder…oil dripping everywhere with not a single drop left on the oil stick!
After making sure that there was no fire but only oil smoke I returned to the cockpit, rolled out my jib and proceeded to sail to a mooring area just outside the harbor in about 10 feet of water. After anchoring, setting the anchor alarm and rechecking the engine compartment for fire, I proceeded to prepare dinner while explaining to my non sailing crewman (college buddy) that we were a sailboat and that losing an engine was not an emergency….we would have a nice dinner, a good night’s sleep and would check out the problem in the am after the engine had cooled.
I wish I could say that I slept like a log but the truth is that my mind was filled with what could have caused the almost immediate evacuation of all the oil in my engine. There was no obvious hole in the engine and the oil filter, oil drain hose and dipstick seemed fine. Since this was day one of a four day trip (circle route from the Bush River to St. Michaels, to Annapolis, to Baltimore and return, my head was swimming with wind conditions, forecasted wind direction changes and the overall effects on the plan.
Next morning after a nice breakfast I proceed to investigate the problem. Since I only had enough fresh oil to do a single oil change I elected to use my oil pump to salvage the blown out oil from the engine catch pan (I keep it clean so I figured that it would pretty much be as clean as when it was blown out and I only took the top 80% out of the pump) and return it to the engine. I then used paper towels to clean the engine and compartment of visible oil. With a pretty clean engine compartment, I then had my companion start up the engine while I used my spot light to inspect the results.
Upon starting I immediately notice a large amount of oil pouring down the exhaust manifold. Shutting down the engine I inspected the area and noticed a clear ¼ inch oil hose which had been resting on the wrapped exhaust manifold pipe, twisting the hose 180 degrees I found the source of the leak which was a 1 ½ inch split. Luckily there was enough extra slack in the hose to put off the section with the split and reattach the hose using the same compression fittings.
Replaced the oil with fresh oil and everything tested out fine. The trip proceeded with the only change being skipping St. Michaels which worked out fine since it gave us more time in Annapolis to explore.
I still need to investigate purpose of the clear oil line hose since it’s not on the engine plan for a Universal 18. It terminates on the right side of the engine (port side of the boat) in what appears to be a pressure sending unit. I’m thinking that it’s for an external oil pump or oil cooler but don’t know until I dig a bit deeper.
Appreciate anyone who has some insight.
V/r
Pete
Oil Line Issue Cape Dory 30B Universal 18
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psjanker
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Oil Line Issue Cape Dory 30B Universal 18
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Re: Oil Line Issue Cape Dory 30B Universal 18
Good Morning
The oil line that split runs from a port on the side of the motor just above the starter to a metal block mounted somewhere else. in My case its at the rear of the motor.
They used this metal block as a common point for mounting any oil pressure related sending units. In you case one of the senders is for the alarm you heard and probably have another for a low oil light or oil pressure gauge.
Either way you should see about getting that line replaced as soon as possible since it sounds like it is at the end of its serviceable life.
The oil line that split runs from a port on the side of the motor just above the starter to a metal block mounted somewhere else. in My case its at the rear of the motor.
They used this metal block as a common point for mounting any oil pressure related sending units. In you case one of the senders is for the alarm you heard and probably have another for a low oil light or oil pressure gauge.
Either way you should see about getting that line replaced as soon as possible since it sounds like it is at the end of its serviceable life.
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Steve Laume
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Re: Oil Line Issue Cape Dory 30B Universal 18
I might add, replacing it with a proper hose for the application. That clear hose might be fine for the coolant overflow or crankcase breather but not for a pressurized oil line. You need hose that is rated properly for oil and the temps it may see in use. Good catch and nice emergency repair but fix that thing, ASP, Steve.
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psjanker
- Posts: 240
- Joined: Aug 2nd, '12, 20:00
- Location: CHASSEUR Cape Dory 28, DAKOTA LEE Cape Dory 30B
Re: Oil Line Issue Cape Dory 30B Universal 18
Steve
I figured it might have something to do with the sending unit and alarm and was also concerned about the clear plastic line. Did not the system come with an alarm and this set up and if so what is the part number or description of the appropriate hose. I figure some type of braided oil line but am not sure.
The current system uses 3/8 brass compression fittings like one would find on a refrigeration water line and I was considering replacing the plastic with copper. Good idea? My thought was that copper would be easy to use to upgrade the plastic line without changing out the rest of the components.
It was interesting to note that the plastic hose had seemed to have expanded since the brass compression fitting was simply too small to reposition on the newly created end. I tried shaving the end down to accept the brass ring but eventually had to heat it and melt it onto the line. Another reason I an looking for another solution.
I would be I tested to know what the best practice solution is for the line....I know the plastic line needs to go. Must have more than a bit of pressure since it literally took just a few seconds to drain all the engine oil.....could even have caused a fire. No doubt the excessive slack in the line and the loop resting on the exhaust manifold contributed to the failure however there must be a better solution.
v/r
Pete
I figured it might have something to do with the sending unit and alarm and was also concerned about the clear plastic line. Did not the system come with an alarm and this set up and if so what is the part number or description of the appropriate hose. I figure some type of braided oil line but am not sure.
The current system uses 3/8 brass compression fittings like one would find on a refrigeration water line and I was considering replacing the plastic with copper. Good idea? My thought was that copper would be easy to use to upgrade the plastic line without changing out the rest of the components.
It was interesting to note that the plastic hose had seemed to have expanded since the brass compression fitting was simply too small to reposition on the newly created end. I tried shaving the end down to accept the brass ring but eventually had to heat it and melt it onto the line. Another reason I an looking for another solution.
I would be I tested to know what the best practice solution is for the line....I know the plastic line needs to go. Must have more than a bit of pressure since it literally took just a few seconds to drain all the engine oil.....could even have caused a fire. No doubt the excessive slack in the line and the loop resting on the exhaust manifold contributed to the failure however there must be a better solution.
v/r
Pete