Cleaning Oil Out of the Bilge

[Cap]

Hi all,

One of my engines is throwing oil and it's all over the hulls inside the engine compartment. What is the best way to get this mess cleaned up so I see where the oil is coming from?

Thanks in advance....Jeff

[bstreep]

Jeff, I've found the best way is to use paper towels. In the bilge too. Lay them out individually on the water, and they will pick up the oil. Then dispose of the towels properly.

[SabreKai]

Yeh, paper towels to wipe it up if its not pooling. If it is, get a couple of those oil absorbant pads. Once the oil is off you will have a slick surface so I use Fantastic spray cleaner or Mr Clean or something to wash off the surfaces and wipe again with paper towels. Bag up the stuff and take it to a hazardous waste recycling place.


Sabre

[perchance]

Ask B P apparently they are the resident experts NOT!

[cdennyb]

use SIMPLE GREEN cleaner and paper towels.

[Fishman_Tx]

Check here for some info, then see the second link for what we did. A lot of folks don't believe in it but that's ok, we do. It works when done properly.
Link 1
http://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/...tml#post412469

Link 2
http://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/...tml#post410930

[unbusted67]

Yeah just head down to the gulf coast and hit the on button on your bilge pump I don't think anyone would notice.

[Cap]

All,

Thanks for the great advice. I’ve ordered some of the oil pads to get the bulk of the oil, but will try the paper towels and one of the cleaners mentioned.

Ha! I think BP and their experts are having enough to deal with, so I won’t ask them for any cleanup advice! LOL

The oil eating bacteria sounds like a great way to go, but a little expensive. I do like the idea of being able to spray it on and have it clean off the oil on the engine, wiring, etc. I may buy the standard stuff to try it out.

Jeff

[gonesail]

Originally Posted by perchance

Ask B P apparently they are the resident experts NOT!

wait a second it's not BP .. it's Transocean.. oh sorry it's Halliburton .. no it's BP ..

[Fishman_Tx]

Originally Posted by gonesail

wait a second it's not BP .. it's Transocean.. oh sorry it's Halliburton .. no it's BP ..

"..and round and round she goes...."
this all could make one Schizophrenic.....

[gramos]

the simplest way to rid your bilges of oil is to go to the chemist/ store and buy a bumper pack of NAPPIES / DIAPERS ! just throw them at the oil , go and have a beer while they do the work . a nappy will absorb 14 times its own weight in liquid . cheap and effective . I always carry them . ok you feel a bit conspicuos buying nappies over 50 .....

[Patrick_DeepPlaya]

Check at your marine, especially if you have any that are run by local or state governments and they may have a bilge pump-out where they capture all the water\oil\whatever and send it off site for treatment. Here in Seattle my marina is run by the Port of Seattle and they have such a bilge pump-out.