Oil Oil Everywhere

This morning we awoke to a diversion from the start of our daily routine. Matt started the motor and almost instantly alarms shrieked with protest. Upon shutting down the engine, and opening the engine bay, we discovered that our diesel had barfed oil everywhere. The source was from where the oil filter meets the engine housing. This wasn’t a good sign but Matt thought perhaps it had too much oil (from topping it off that morning), so he changed filter to ensure there was the correct amount of oil and tried starting it again. Within seconds, the oily mess to be cleaned doubled. An engine losing oil is never a good sign and we quickly thought through our options: find a tow to a marina that was 12 miles North (unlikely in such a remote location), sail the 12 miles North (risky in a windy, narrow channel with barges and little wind), or stick with our safe anchorage and figure out the problem (though it might be challenging to get a mechanic out to the boat). We started making calls to mechanics back in Kemah looking for a referral, to immediate family as there was extended family in the area and to our new cruising friends, the Sittons. After about an hour of playing phone chase from one referral to another, Matt was able to speak with a mechanic who knew our engine. From the described symptoms, he suggested checking the oil pressure relief valve, which is the same conclusion Matt had come to after reading a technical manual on board.

Captain, aka diesel mechanic

The soonest a mechanic could be out was Monday, so with nothing to lose but time, Matt began to take apart the motor to get at the potential problem valve. After a few hours of work, a dinghy ride to a nearby boat launch ramp and store for some tools (that didn’t end up fitting), he discovered the relief valve was indeed stuck. In fact, jammed like a semi having gone under too low of a bridge. Another hour or so of tapping, tinkering and talking with the mechanic and Rusty Sitton, he freed the stuck valve! Feeling good, we called about getting a new part, upon which we learned that it would be at least four weeks to get from the factory. We were in a pretty anchorage but not close enough to the tropics, so Matt took some sandpaper (once long ago borrowed from our boat neighbors on s/v Ebb Tide) and sanded the part and housing smooth again so they wouldn’t jam. The engine was put back together just before dark and, other than some borrowed gasket sealant from a boat that came into the anchorage, we clawed closer to fixing the problem with supplies onboard. Another filter change, oil fill and with great trepidation, we tried starting the motor. Chug, Chug, Chug, vroom. No alarms. No oil barfs. Just a running motor! After running for about 20 minutes we were back in business.

After the boat and grease camouflaged captain were cleaned up, we reflected on the laborious day. Though engine problems are never good, it was a great boost in confidence that we were able to get back up and running, in a remote anchorage, and be able to continue on our journey. Though we may have done the work ourselves, but it wouldn’t have been possible without all the help we received. Thank you to our family for being ready on a dime to drive parts out, their constant encouragement and loving support to keep our spirits up. Our deepest gratitude to Rusty and Linda Sitton, who talked us through solving the problem in the middle of the work day, hooked us up with a great mechanic, offered continued support and even lined up a tow boat should we have needed it. And thanks to Eddie at Oleander Marine and Russel at Colemar services, who both offered valuable advice and guidance in repairing the problem. Most of all, to the Lord, we are eternally appreciative for answering our prayers and keeping us moving along on the journey. The adventure has truly begun.

N 29° 58.71/ W 98° 42.04