Another dang FUBAR!
10 July 2020 | La Ramada
Chip | Perfect
Well it’s time to service the engines (code for creating yet another lasting oil change memory)! Because we are nearing the end of our time in Mexico, we want to spend as much time as possible untethered from a marina dock. So instead of doing this in Puerto Escondido, yesterday I changed fuel filters, impellers, serviced transmissions and replaced the engine zincs while on the hook in the south San Juanico anchorage with 24 knots of wind. All went fine but after rolling about from the waves wrapping the point and having to alert a nearby sailboat that he was dragging fast for a reef, we decided to relocate to La Ramada which, so far, has been delightful. I began phase 2 of the engine servicing task, the oil change, at 0900 after the admiral headed out on her kayak. The idea is for me to melt away in the confines of the hot engine room changing oil for 90 minutes while the she cruises about in her trusty kayak with the cool breeze flowing through her hair. Over the next 5 hours (somewhat different than 90 minutes.....) it was one self inflicted gyration after another. First occurred while extracting the oil when I was unable to quickly reach the shut-off for electric oil extractor when the container into which the spent oil was being pumped was full (similar to leaving the faucet running water into a plugged sink but instead of clean water running across the floor, this was hot dirty black oil). Probably spilled 1 quart - messy but not the messiest. The next “situation” occurred while changing the oil filters (there are 2 filters, each appx 16” long holding about 1 quart). I have a process by which absorbent towels are spread around the area, a bucket is placed under the filter, a container and funnel are at the ready to empty the oil from the filter and a large bucket is nearby into which the now empty old filter is placed. All went very well until I actually removed the filter. At this point no oil had spilled, the filter is in the first bucket and I am firmly grasping the rubber seal at the top of the filter while moving to bucket #2. Bam - bucket #1 slightly strikes a water strainer but the jolt cause me to rip out the rubber seal thereby letting said filter leap from the bucket 1, strike bucket 2 and for the hot dirty oil (another quart or so) to spill onto the floor and me. Messy but not the messiest. So to gain access to the oil filter the dipstick must be removed - just makes it easier to attach the filter removal tool. At this point we have about exhausted our supply of absorbent towels and are now wiping up oil with Costco yellow microfiber towels. After a “light” cleaning, I install the new filter, pump in 5 gallons of new oil, check water and fuel supply valves and head upstairs to start the engine. Fires right up, oil pressure noted and correct, and I return to the engine room for the visual inspection- wholly crap, freaking oil is everywhere. There’s oil splatters, oil puddles, oil streams and a dreaded oil mist. First thought was I didn’t tighten the filter sufficiently but then I remember - THE DIPSTICK! How in the world that much oil can “extract” itself through such a small hole is a testament to its determination. That was, by far, the messiest of the 3 escapades and we are now out of absorbent towels and getting dangerously low on Costco towels. And to pour just a little salt in the wound, while cleaning up the oil mess I slipped, hit and ruined a water flow monitoring device which added a bunch of sea water to the oil slouching around the engine room. Trifecta of a colossal Cluster F%$k! All good now! The photo, BTW, is from our morning walk looking down onto Marina Puerto Escondido and through 1 of the “windows” out to Isla Coronados.