An ominous stream of, what looks like, cow's milk issues from the base of Stargazer's saildrive leg. Water ingress has emulsified the gearbox oil, at some point during the past year. Simon, the diesel mechanic, dips his thumb and forefinger into the catch bucket. He rubs the contaminated oil knowledgeably between them. "Lucky. . . . I reckon the seals only failed recently. This oil still has some lubricity left. . . . . . . But I'm going to have to take the drive assembly back to the workshop, in Brightlingsea, to strip it down and check for damage."
Propeller, rope cutter and then the whole drive assembly are quickly removed, from the leg. A rag temporarily staunching Stargazer's open wound ; and preventing any ingress of grit to the finely machined surfaces within.
The annual service of the engine, new in 2019, goes more smoothly. Oil and coolant are drained and replaced in short order. Drive belts replaced and re-tensioned.
The fuel filter is renewed and the old one inspected for signs of diesel bug. Thankfully, none are found. Growth is an ever present risk, due to the increasing addition of hygroscopic bio derived fractions to pump diesel.
The Marine 16 treatment, which I add religiously, when refuelling, seems to be doing its job. My habit, of refilling from cans, probably helps too. Effectively, any new fuel quarantines, giving the bug killer time to get to work, before being added to Stargazer's tank.
A precautionary new impeller is fitted to the raw water cooling system. My line of red paint, starting on the front of the bronze impeller housing and continuing onto the body, ensuring that the face plate is replaced in the exact orientation it came off. Increasing the likelihood that an effective, drip free, seal will be formed.
Two weeks later, Simon is back aboard. Refilling the gearbox, with oil so clear that it is scarcely visible on the dipstick. He advises me to check its level, once we have motored back to the berth. In case the reinstalled transmission harbours an air pocket within.
Simon has turned down and sleeved the stub shaft, for the propeller . Creating crisp clean seats for the new oil seals. After a thorough bench examination, the rest of the lower drive mechanism has been passed fit . The folding propeller has been polished and lubricated. New anodes fitted and the rope cutter reassembled. Stargazer’s engine is ready to begin a new season.
Picture Credits
1,8 Simon French, of French Marine
2,3,4,5,6,7 Me
5 Pirates Cave Chandlery
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