engine drip pan

[stevieb]

I have a 43' Albin with twin Lehman 120's. I am trying to remove the port engine drip pan so I can thoroughly clean the bilge. Has anyone successfully removed the pan without destroying it? The starboard pan is easy to remove.

[jleonard]

Can you use a toilet brush to get underneath instead of removing the pan? That has worked for me.

[stevieb]

Yes I can. I thought someone might have some magic to report!

[Nepidae]

Having a 43 myself, but with 135's, I have always found that the pan on both the starboard & port side comes out forward.

My pans are fiberglass.

I would make sure that you have absorbent towels and take out any liquid first but then they should be able to be tilted and slid out the front of the engines.

Are the strainers or the hoses to them in your way?

Good luck.

[kjg1951]

do you get a lot of drips from your Lehmans ..... I put a oil absorb towel/rag under the engine and even without running I get some leaks not a lot but enough to make me wonder what I should be looking for??? thanks
Kevin G
new Bern NC

[stevieb]

Actually no. I just want to do a thorough cleaning. With the pan out of the way, it would be easier. But I can get around it.

[mike66]

Kevin, I'd be looking for a sale on oil. Happy Thanksgiving.

[jleonard]

do you get a lot of drips from your Lehmans ..... I put a oil absorb towel/rag under the engine and even without running I get some leaks not a lot but enough to make me wonder what I should be looking for??? thanks
Kevin G
new Bern NC

Look near the rear main seal for leaks.
Very common for these engines. Especially if you fill the oil to the "full" mark on the dipstick.
A better practice is to keep the dipstick at the "add" level. Oil is then much less likely to leak out of the rear main.
This is because of the installation angle of the engine. I have been following this practice for several years and not surprising that the oil level stays stable. If I fill to the full mark I leak out a quart in 15 or 20 running hours then it stabilizes but by then I have a quart in the drip pan (duh).
Another possible and common leak could be the valve cover gasket.