Seacock Bedding Question

[jneely]

While checking the Wilcox-Crittenden seacock for the cockpit drain on our CD27 Troika I noticed that the bedding that long ago oozed out from under the seacock looked like it was wet. I ran a finger over it and found it to be soft. Some actually came away on my finger. I checked it again last night and it looked the same. There is no leaking, but I am perplexed that this bedding, which is probably original to the boat, would suddenly become soft. The only explanation that I can come up with is the fact that this seacock in the spring received a good spray of engine oil caused by a missing dipstick on the engine and was also sprayed with West Marine bilge cleaner during the cleanup. The oil problem has been rectified, but I wonder if the oil or the bilge cleaner could have softened the bedding. Also, I wonder if the present situation is somethig I should be concerned with. Again, there is no leaking. Any and all commenta will be appreciated.

[jneely]

A friend who is a sailor and physical chemist tells me that the oil sprayed on the bedding has caused it to become soft. Said not to worry.