Oil pan corrosion

davidr

Well-known member
Joined
Jun 1, 2017
Messages
57
Fluid Motion Model
C-24 C
Non-Fluid Motion Model
Cutwater cb30
Suggest you do a mirror inspection of your Volvo diesel oilpan. Mechanics were installing a dripless packing seal on our CB30. That required unbolting the engine to have enough working room. They found the oil pan very corroded, It appears to be a not uncommon problem. Our engines sit very low in the hull and can be in water especially if you have an unreliable bilge pump. Would post a picture if I could figure out how to do that!
 
I have heard this about RTs, but not about CWs, yet. I have a C-30CB as well. My bilge has been pretty dry historically, especially the forward one. I will now check this, however... What is the remedy??
 
I have seen 1 RT and 1 CW with corrosion to the oil pan. The clearance in my 2021 31CB was so close you could barley slide a piece of formica under it. I did a dripless on mine to prevent the atomization of salt water in the bilge and eliminate any standing salt water if bilge fails. I replace my rear bilge pump once a season prophylactically because the auto switch is prone to fail or delay.
 
Remedy is pulling the engine and replacing the pan…expensive! The new pan will be zinc chromated, painted, and a sealant applied. Am having a dripless packing seal installed. Hope to keep things dry. We have experienced quite a bit of corrosion due to spray from the packing gland. I was going to construct a shield over the shaft to direct spray down but opted for the dripless seal. We had that in our Camano and the bilge was always dry.
 
I agree , the shield helps but it still as a salt mist in the bilge.
 
This is very informative and mildly concerning, of course. My boat is a 2016, and I've never observed any spray from my packing gland. It drips steadily, but never any spray and there's no rust or corrosion on anything near it, and it is always pretty dry in there. I suppose the other small advantage that I have is that I keep my boat in fresh water, although I'm frequently in the salt, especially in the summer. I will talk to my mechanic about checking it...
 
You wont observe the spray unless your rpms are way up.
 
good to know, and I certainly don't have my engine room hatch open when I'm at fast cruising speed (3000rpm). I know they have used a few different packing glands over the years, and I'm wondering if mine sprays less. I can't remember the manufacturer but it's different from some of the others... I think this is what I have:

https://www.fisheriessupply.com/buck-al ... x-and-hose
 
Yes DBsea, that looks different to most I have seen on CW and RT's. My factory installed packing gland was adjusted to a certain drip rate to cool the shaft.
 
Back
Top