2020 R27le near the extreme stern bilge, looks like red fuel oil?

[jimbeam]

I went way back in the center bilge and found what looks like red fuel oil. About 3 cups of it. Where could it have come from? Overfill from the fill cap?
Somehow drained into the bilge? I could not see any stains on the stern inside where the OB brackets are located. I'm stumped. I'm in the process of buying this boat and I'm having it surveyed soon and I will mention it. Could be a deal killer.
jimbeam

 

[4umfreak]

Check trim tabs fluid. It's ATF.

 

[dbsea]

Assuming this is an outboard boat given your description of the OB brackets, I am not aware of any state that dyes marine gasoline red. Diesel, yes, but not gasoline. My first thought would be hydraulic fluid from trim tabs or something like that, or possibly anti-freeze from winterization, depending on where you live?

 

[Submariner]

The trim tabs are electric, not hydraulic on a r27-ob.

The diesel tank might have red dyed diesel.
Most places don’t offer red dyed gas, but Prince Rupert, Canada does.

The steering is hydraulic and could have been filled with ATF by a previous owners. (usually it's clear in color).

However.. it could also just be winterizing anti-freeze.

The simplest way to tell.. get an oil absorbant pad (chem wipe, we called them on the submarine). They are sold at West Marine and other marine stores. They're white. They only absorb hydrocarbons (any kind of oil). Soak the pad into the fluid. If it absorbs the fluid, it's oil of some kind (to include gas and diesel). If it won't absorb it, it's water based.

This is what they look like. In this photo I'm using it to tell if there's water in the diesel fuel being used in the diesel heater on an R27-OB. (There was).

IMG_4434.jpeg | Boat Maintenance (Project Name)

Use a chem-wipe to confirm the presence of water. It'll absorb diesel/kerosene but will NOT soak up water.

www.letsgochannelsurfing.com

 

[80Ramey]

Transducer fluid possibly.

 

[Midwest Jeff]

Does boat have a diesel heater? Here in Michigan off road diesel is dyed red. But there would be no mistaking it, would have a heavy odor. Otherwise, Sounds like RV antifreeze. Is the boat winterized? Hopefully it's just overflow. But, I would look for a broken/cracked water line or drain that may have not been winterized properly.

 

[Diatom]

I had a coolant hose split last month - pre-start inspection showed a couple of cups of red bilge. Antifreeze.
/Diatom

 

[jimbeam]

I took your suggestion and got chem wipes. Placed them on the red stuff and no absorption at all so it probably is antifreeze.
Thanks for help.
jimbeam