Red Staining under engine SO32

[rodgerg]

Hello folks last weekend I pushed the boat quite hard to get back home when we heard our daughter had a complication in childbirth. ( all ok now that way).
Yesterday quite far back under the engine I found a sticky blood red deposit which had a sweet taste.
My anti freeze is green so its not that. So I assumed transmission fluid!
I took off the dip stick and found the level slightly higher than the ring mark near the bottom of the dipstick.
I normally cruise under engine about five knots at 2500 revs. At times I was running at 3500 revs, however the engine sounded fine, and there was some still in reserve.
Using a mirror I could not see anything obvious under the engine.
Should I be worried or is it down to excess gearbox fluid?

Thanks
Rodger

[Seagem]

The small tube of grease in the Jeanneau spares kit that came with my boat is a red colour. Could it be some grease that has leaked out of the stern gland or a bearing, perhaps because the engine was running at higher than normal temperature? I haven't tasted (and don't intend to!) to confirm if it is sweet or not lol! I wouldn't worry too much at this stage, just monitor it.

[rodgerg]

I know what you mean, I lubricated and burped the stern gland when i put her back into the water in February, however this is too far forward. I am pretty sure its from the gearbox but cannot understand how it could have got there.
Rodger

[tedp]

I wouldn't worry too much about running the engine at high revs. A mechanic who does the maintenance on mine says it's not a bad idea to occasionally open it up for an hour or so. I find the engine and transmission are much smoother afterwards, like in a car you drive a long distance at high speed. I don't know about the red stuff but like Seagem says I'd just monitor it.

Glad all is well with your daughter - can we congratulate you?

[rodgerg]

My friend who has been sailing for years and is an engineer always nudges my throttle back a bit when he is on board, its a bit of a joke between us now. I agree I think it gives it a good clear out.
Yes I am a Grandpa (second time around) to Fraser Craig Lindsay, a good Scots name thats for sure.
I am heading off this weekend so will keep an eye on things
Thanks

[tedp]

A good Scots name indeed - congratulations! Good luck this weekend, if the weather out there is as good as ours you should have a good time.

[dolphinchaser]

Rodger, my guess would be transmission fluid. Probably was a bit overfull and the high rpms and higher (possibly) heat may have caused it to "burp". I wouldn't worry about it unless it re-occurs.