Oil leak due to dipstick wiggling out

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   I had a strange occurrence last night which I thought, at the risk of opening myself up to some ribbing, I'd relate here.
In my area, there's not much need to motor.  I might motor anywhere from 2 - 15 minutes to get to the race area each Wednesday night.  So the hours on my engine (since I owned the boat anyway) are minimal.  I maintain it regularly though.

However last night we needed to do a 2.5 hour motor to get back to town from a race that ended elsewhere.  We motored at 2500 rpm the whole way, with me periodically visually inspecting the engine (admittedly from the sides, not the front) to make sure everything was OK.  I've got the two new temperature gauges monitoring cylinder temp and muffler temp as well.  I also have an inline water filter between the engine and the exhaust elbow to prevent blockages.

Just before getting to the dock, we heard a funny noise and a quick check showed that the alternator belt was in the process of shredding (my motor has an aftermarket alternator installed - see pics https://goo.gl/photos/UJR7VdESqgAWXk1W8 ).  Since there was nothing that could be done, we proceeded to the dock and just before arriving heard the belt let go completely.

Now, I replaced that belt only 2 years ago and we actually just retightened it a couple of weeks ago, so I was surprised it broke but it was very late by then so I left that night and returned today, expecting to simply need to clean up the broken bits of belt and install a new one.

Much to my surprise, I found engine oil all over the compartment, especially directly above the engine.  NO, we were not motorsailing and the water last night was quite flat.  Then I realized the dipstick for the engine oil was missing!  I felt around and finally located it, just forward of the holding tank.  The dipstick was quite bent.  

I suspect the dipstick somehow wiggled it's way loose and got caught in the alternator belt, pulling it out the rest of the way, bending it and damaging the belt as well.  The engine then sprayed oil over the belt (and engine compartment) which combined with the initial damage caused the belt to fail.  In a way I'm lucky the belt broke otherwise we may not have noticed until it was too late.

Having said that, I'm unsure how the dipstick worked it's way loose in the first place.  Also annoying that even with me checking the engine periodically, this still happened.

I don't think my engine vibrates too much (I mean it's a fair bit, but it's a one banger 30 year old diesel right?).

Has anyone ever had this problem before?  

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Winner Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Commodore Joined: 07 September 2011 Status: Offline Points: 222	Post Options Post Reply Quote Winner Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Topic: Oil leak due to dipstick wiggling out Posted: 25 June 2017 at 9:43pm
	I had a strange occurrence last night which I thought, at the risk of opening myself up to some ribbing, I'd relate here. In my area, there's not much need to motor. I might motor anywhere from 2 - 15 minutes to get to the race area each Wednesday night. So the hours on my engine (since I owned the boat anyway) are minimal. I maintain it regularly though. However last night we needed to do a 2.5 hour motor to get back to town from a race that ended elsewhere. We motored at 2500 rpm the whole way, with me periodically visually inspecting the engine (admittedly from the sides, not the front) to make sure everything was OK. I've got the two new temperature gauges monitoring cylinder temp and muffler temp as well. I also have an inline water filter between the engine and the exhaust elbow to prevent blockages. Just before getting to the dock, we heard a funny noise and a quick check showed that the alternator belt was in the process of shredding (my motor has an aftermarket alternator installed - see pics https://goo.gl/photos/UJR7VdESqgAWXk1W8 ). Since there was nothing that could be done, we proceeded to the dock and just before arriving heard the belt let go completely. Now, I replaced that belt only 2 years ago and we actually just retightened it a couple of weeks ago, so I was surprised it broke but it was very late by then so I left that night and returned today, expecting to simply need to clean up the broken bits of belt and install a new one. Much to my surprise, I found engine oil all over the compartment, especially directly above the engine. NO, we were not motorsailing and the water last night was quite flat. Then I realized the dipstick for the engine oil was missing! I felt around and finally located it, just forward of the holding tank. The dipstick was quite bent. I suspect the dipstick somehow wiggled it's way loose and got caught in the alternator belt, pulling it out the rest of the way, bending it and damaging the belt as well. The engine then sprayed oil over the belt (and engine compartment) which combined with the initial damage caused the belt to fail. In a way I'm lucky the belt broke otherwise we may not have noticed until it was too late. Having said that, I'm unsure how the dipstick worked it's way loose in the first place. Also annoying that even with me checking the engine periodically, this still happened. I don't think my engine vibrates too much (I mean it's a fair bit, but it's a one banger 30 year old diesel right?). Has anyone ever had this problem before?
	Chris Eclipse #240 Thunder Bay, ON

Bill Layton Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Commodore Joined: 15 September 2002 Location: Canada Status: Offline Points: 551	Post Options Post Reply Quote Bill Layton Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 25 June 2017 at 10:37pm
	The dipstick's rubber seal/plug if you will isn't the tightest fit. Mine has been very loose for it's 33 yr life, and I've had no problems. Is it possible the belt broke first and the flying strands picked up the dipstick and launched it or dragged it thru the flywheel? The engine was running to bend the dipstick and to spray oil above it. Belt failure often has collateral damage. Other owners are unlikely to have this problem because the standard engine didn't have an added alternator like you do, someone must have added that later on. The standard engine had no belt at all. Also just for more info: remember never to have the motor running if you are heeled. It only holds 1.3L of oil and when heeled I've seen it spray oil out the fill cap/breather all over the engine compartment. On many boats you see the inside color of the engine panels and they are black... that's from oil spray over the years. Your engine can empty it's oil in this manner very quickly. Your bent dipstick pic shows what looks like rubber belt particle all over it? Edited by Bill Layton - 25 June 2017 at 10:42pm

Winner Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Commodore Joined: 07 September 2011 Status: Offline Points: 222	Post Options Post Reply Quote Winner Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 25 June 2017 at 11:01pm
	I'm aware of the need to avoid motoring when heeled which is why I mentioned it in the post. It certainly is possible the belt failed first and a stray piece grabbed the dipstick. No way to confirm this although it does make sense under the circumstances. Yes, the pic of the dipstick shows black belt remnants. The entire compartment was covered with what is best described as black powder (and oil). There was little of the belt left. I'm not sure how much oil I lost.... it looks messy but it was less than 400ml., and probably less than that However if we go with the hypothesis that the belt failing is what pulled out the dipstick and the motor ran after this for only 5 minutes or so (at very low rpm) until we got back to the dock, then I can see how the engine can quickly starve itself of oil unless you are paying close attention.
	Chris Eclipse #240 Thunder Bay, ON

Bill Layton Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Commodore Joined: 15 September 2002 Location: Canada Status: Offline Points: 551	Post Options Post Reply Quote Bill Layton Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 26 June 2017 at 9:26am
	I elaborated on the heeling aspect so others also are aware of this, I see so many owners doing it, it requires mention at every opportunity. I've never seen a dip stick fall out on it's own, not even a loose fitting dipstick. I have seen owners forget to put the dipstick or fill cap back in place and run the engine dry a few times. The best we can do is check our oils frequently and use top quality motor oil like Esso 15w-40 or Shell Rotella 15w-40.

bal149 Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Skipper Joined: 14 August 2010 Location: canada Status: Offline Points: 67	Post Options Post Reply Quote bal149 Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 28 June 2017 at 10:33am
	If oil was sprayed on the belt, it would slip not break. I agree with Bill that it was likely the belt that pulled out the dipstick. The whole issu of losing oil when heeling needs to be addressed. Planes can fly upside-down after all. Some kind of catch tank that would return the regurgitated oil could take care of this.

Winner Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Commodore Joined: 07 September 2011 Status: Offline Points: 222	Post Options Post Reply Quote Winner Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 29 June 2017 at 8:48am
	After getting everything back together yesterday, I noted that the top of the dipstick actually rises high enough (although off to the side) that should the belt break, the flying debris would certainly hit the dipstick. I think it was bad luck that instead of just hitting the dipstick, the belt actually managed to grab hold of it and pull it out. My solution for future will be to shorten the dipstick handle by bending it into a loop instead of a hook at the end. This should eliminate the problem should I have another alternator belt fail. Of course in future I now know that should my belt break, to immediately check that the dipstick is still in place. Because I have an aftermarket alternator, this issue seems isolated to me and probably isn't relevant to others. I agree re: the heeling issue. The notion of having a sailboat that can't be motorsailed at all is a big problem, especially up here where I may need to do long deliveries of 100 miles or more and motorsailing can save time and fuel. I may experiment a bit with motorsailing at various angles of heel and on port/starboard tack while someone continually watches the engine to see what my boat can tolerate as I hear it does vary from one L28 to the next.
	Chris Eclipse #240 Thunder Bay, ON