Have I ruined my engine?

jr438234606 · #1 (**permalink**) 04-13-2008

I was on my way back to the dock. My Perkins 4.108 had been running for about 3 minutes. I noticed a bit of a drop in RPMs. I checked my engine instruments and noticed that the oil pressure was ZERO! I immediately put the throttle in nuetral/idle and reached for the kill switch. When the engine went to idle, but before I could pull out the kill switch completely, I heard the engine make two squeals and instantly freeze. I wanted to see if the engine was frozen solid, so I bumped the starter with the kill switch engaged-- just to see if it would move at all. It will turn over 4 times, and then squeal and seize again.

I inspected the engine to see what caused the oil pressure to drop. The bilge was full of oil. A hose on the oil pump had ruptured and the entire engine was drained of oil in a matter of seconds.

The engine is almost 30 years old, and has lots of hours on it. I've been thinking of replacing it anyway due to some other quirks it has that I have never been able to fully resolve. However, repowering means missing most, if not all, of the 2008 sailing season. I sure would love get the existing engine going again.

Any advice?

Stillraining · #2 (**permalink**) 04-13-2008

Maybe not ruined but definitely requiring a rebuild now...It was probably starved for oil longer then you think and my guess you scored/siezed some bearings and your crankshaft rod or main journals...Piston liners and possibly cracked a ring or two...either of which will give the symptoms you describe..

Bummer ....

..

Smiley Face

Maine Sail · #3 (**permalink**) 04-13-2008

Fix the hose, fill it with oil and try it. What have you got to lose.. It may get you through the season even if it does burn some oil, and then again it may not, but your already committed so why not..

I had that happen to my first car. I hit a rock with the oil pan going to a party in the "power lines" and the engine bogged down and when I let off the gas it stalled. A buddy towed me out and home, I replaced the oil pan, refilled with oil though substituting one quart of oil for one quart of Marvel Mystery oil and the damn thing ran for another 30k until it finally rusted out..!! Of course it was a Honda so it's no surprise it kept on ticking.........

Freesail99 · #4 (**permalink**) 04-13-2008

Good idea to have a check list, whether it be in your head or on paper. One of the things on that list, should be to check your engine oil, every time you take the boat out.

gypsywomen · #5 (**permalink**) 04-13-2008

last I checked you dont NEED an engine to sail

Freesail99 · #6 (**permalink**) 04-13-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by gypsywomen

last I checked you dont NEED an engine to sail

Ha, you just want to hear people scream as I sail my boat to the dock.....

Maine Sail · #7 (**permalink**) 04-13-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by gypsywomen

last I checked you dont NEED an engine to sail

Clearly you don't sail where there are strong currents or large tides.. Not having an engine in Maine really limits the number of coves and harbors you can get into and out of without waiting for hours..

DrB · #8 (**permalink**) 04-13-2008

Do what other's have suggested and replace the hose, refill with oil, and try her again. Before you up and all out crank it, can you hand crack it first and circulate the new oil into the cylinders before you start it?

On my Yanmar, I can isolate the cylinder compression for each cylinder, which makes it very easy to hand crank and circulate the oil. You then start the motor, it starts very rough. Allow it to turn for 30 seconds or so, and then and slowly bring the cylinders on line, one-by-one. If you can't get the first cylinder to keep moving, you at least may do less damage to the motor then pure straight cranking it with all cylinders engaged.

Good luck.

DrB

gulfcoastcruiser · #9 (**permalink**) 04-13-2008

Fill her with oil and see what happens. I had a similar experience with a car once also. I hit something that knocked a hole in the oil pan and I drove probably 30 miles before I realized that I didn't have any oil. I fixed the hole filled the oil and drove it for another 60,000 miles. It did use oil from then on, but oil is a lot cheaper than an engine.

gulftex · #10 (**permalink**) 04-13-2008

If you put oil in and start engine and a piston siez,you may get a rod through the block.No rebuild then cheaper to go for new engine.Pull the oil filter and cut it open to see if there is metal in it before start up.If the cress of filter has metal in it you have a hard choice to make.