With boat projects completed, we set out for
Deltaville this morning. It turned out to be a nice day for sailing as we beat
up the York River. The new charting software worked well and we passed a three
masted schooner going out of Yorktown under full sail. Getting out into the
bay, we turned to port and had to use the diesel as the wind was out of the
North. Beth and Noah started third grade in the cockpit. He has been asking to
start school, since all the boat projects are “boring.” I checked the engine
after running for an hour or so and noticed some drops of oil on the floor of
the engine pan. Spent some time with a mirror looking for a problem on the
underside of the engine, but couldn’t see anything. Decided to continue running
for Deltaville and to check the engine on a regular basis. Twenty minutes
later, the oil pressure alarm went off and we shut down the diesel. School is
cancelled for today. There was no question as to where the problem was this
time. Opening the engine compartment revealed the oil pressure sensor cracked
and leaking oil. I touched it and it came off in my hand. Hmm, we could use a
screw extractor to pull the broken piece out and then see if we had the right
size bolt to fill the hole, fill up the oil and start her up again. If we were
alone and in a remote area, that would be the plan, but here in the Chesapeake
we called Boat/US and asked for a tow, just in case there was something else
wrong with the engine. Friends recommended the marina and boat yard we had just
come from as the best around for repairs, so that is where we ended up. We
sailed back towards the marina and Captain Bob James on Bay Time met us and
towed us in. He and his first mate did a very professional job of getting us
safely back to the dock. Purchasing unlimited towing insurance just paid for
itself. Just in case you are concerned that we leaked oil into the water, the
engine compartment has an fiberglass pan that will hold all the oil from an
engine when something like this happens. The oysters here at York River Yacht
Haven are safe for another day.
Deltaville this morning. It turned out to be a nice day for sailing as we beat
up the York River. The new charting software worked well and we passed a three
masted schooner going out of Yorktown under full sail. Getting out into the
bay, we turned to port and had to use the diesel as the wind was out of the
North. Beth and Noah started third grade in the cockpit. He has been asking to
start school, since all the boat projects are “boring.” I checked the engine
after running for an hour or so and noticed some drops of oil on the floor of
the engine pan. Spent some time with a mirror looking for a problem on the
underside of the engine, but couldn’t see anything. Decided to continue running
for Deltaville and to check the engine on a regular basis. Twenty minutes
later, the oil pressure alarm went off and we shut down the diesel. School is
cancelled for today. There was no question as to where the problem was this
time. Opening the engine compartment revealed the oil pressure sensor cracked
and leaking oil. I touched it and it came off in my hand. Hmm, we could use a
screw extractor to pull the broken piece out and then see if we had the right
size bolt to fill the hole, fill up the oil and start her up again. If we were
alone and in a remote area, that would be the plan, but here in the Chesapeake
we called Boat/US and asked for a tow, just in case there was something else
wrong with the engine. Friends recommended the marina and boat yard we had just
come from as the best around for repairs, so that is where we ended up. We
sailed back towards the marina and Captain Bob James on Bay Time met us and
towed us in. He and his first mate did a very professional job of getting us
safely back to the dock. Purchasing unlimited towing insurance just paid for
itself. Just in case you are concerned that we leaked oil into the water, the
engine compartment has an fiberglass pan that will hold all the oil from an
engine when something like this happens. The oysters here at York River Yacht
Haven are safe for another day.
Monday AM update – Steve at York River Yacht Haven
came over this morning and removed the end of the offending pipe. He reinstalled
the original sensor and we tossed out the old T-fitting. The “T” was fitted for
the old refrigerator compressor, so it wouldn’t run unless the engine was on.
Hopefully, that is the end of problems associated with the old refrigeration
system. We refilled the engine with oil and, after examining and
listening with an ear deafened by 30 years of working on diesels, Steve
pronounced it “okay to go.” I cleaned up the mess under the engine and sent it
away for recycling while Noah & Beth finished up the first day of school.
We’ll try again to go North on Tuesday.
came over this morning and removed the end of the offending pipe. He reinstalled
the original sensor and we tossed out the old T-fitting. The “T” was fitted for
the old refrigerator compressor, so it wouldn’t run unless the engine was on.
Hopefully, that is the end of problems associated with the old refrigeration
system. We refilled the engine with oil and, after examining and
listening with an ear deafened by 30 years of working on diesels, Steve
pronounced it “okay to go.” I cleaned up the mess under the engine and sent it
away for recycling while Noah & Beth finished up the first day of school.
We’ll try again to go North on Tuesday.
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| Sunset on Sarah Creek |