Oil change mistake. Is it a big deal?

[capri_1850SS_lover]

I have a Mercruiser 4.3L/ Alpha1 and am trying to start it for the first time this season. I have had a problem keeping it running. Starts but dies after 15 to 45 seconds. Made sure to have fresh fuel. Checked the oil level and found that the place that winterized/serviced my boat last fall added too much oil. My oil level is about 2" higher than the full mark on the dipstick. I took it in and the mechanic said that isn't the cause of my problem and that I need a carburator rebuild and a tune up. I have only owned the boat a few years and it has ran great ever since I got it. When trying to get it going I have observed normal oil pressure and nothing else abnormal. I brought it back to the mechanic and he said that there was only about half a quart too much oil and that wouldn't cause my problems. I did some internet research about what happens to an engine when it has too much oil and I'm concerned.
Your comments would be appreciated.

 

[frostywalrus81]

Re: Oil change mistake. Is it a big deal?

It all depends on how long the motor had ran while the extra oil was in it. I would also suggest a good tune up (plugs,wires, check points and condenser). Also I does sound like you have a fuel related problem. The carb. may not be the problem, I would first start by doing a compression test on the block and a pressure test on the fuel pump. Hope everything goes good for ya.

 

[derekpfeiffer]

Re: Oil change mistake. Is it a big deal?

If there is only about 1/2 a quart too much oil you should be just fine...Definitly wouldn't recomend running it too much that way but for no more than you've ran it so far I would say you shouldn't have any problems. Doubt that it is causing your problems...sounds more like a carb issue to me.

Good luck

 

["G"]

Re: Oil change mistake. Is it a big deal?

Capri-
There are some great posts regarding oil levels here and some solutions pertaining to the problem. My thought is; if you are "two inches" over the fill mark make sure it's oil not water too and then drop/suck out a few quarts. Part of engine vacuum is the ability to "pull" air and fuel into the cylinders. I wonder If there is so much oil that there is a back pressure. Oil soaked plugs would tell you that. What is the compression was asked... that too will tell you a little about your "vacuum" provided the valves etc are set correctly. The tell tale sign of an over filled crankcase is oil burning. It should be burning clean (maybe white steam) smoke, not blue and plugs fouling out.

 

[crazy charlie]

Re: Oil change mistake. Is it a big deal?

Get a dipstick pump and drain out the extra 1/2 quart to satisfy your suspicion.Change the fuel /water seperator immediately.Change or clean the carb filter.Popoff the distributor cap and peek inside it for condensation,wipe it out if there is any.Do these simple steps first and then run the motor and see if there is any change.If not then pull a plug and see what it looks like.A tune up is never a bad idea.I like doing one thing at a time to isolate the problem.Charlie

 

[45Auto]

Re: Oil change mistake. Is it a big deal?

I'm pretty sure that 2" over the mark is much more than half a quart overfilled. Probably take 3 or 4 quarts to get it that far up. If it's up onto the crank then it can aerate (foam up) the oil as the crank churns it up. You'll usually know that pretty quick cause the lifters will let you know when they lose pressure and start ticking. Doesn't sound like yours has ran long enough to affect anything.

It does sound like a fuel problem though. Check the fuel/water separator and any other fuel filter. Does it crank right back up after it dies or do you have to spin it on the starter a while?

 

[cooter2506]

Re: Oil change mistake. Is it a big deal?

Yes remove excess oil. But you also need to check your oil pressure switch. Bypass it and see if your engine stays running. What is happening is your getting enough fuel to start it with the key in the start position but your pump isnt running when your oil pressure is up to keep it running. OF COURSE this only applies if you have a electric fuelpump.

 

[cbavier]

Re: Oil change mistake. Is it a big deal?

I'm pretty sure that 2" over the mark is much more than half a quart overfilled. Probably take 3 or 4 quarts to get it that far up. If it's up onto the crank then it can aerate (foam up) the oil as the crank churns it up. You'll usually know that pretty quick cause the lifters will let you know when they lose pressure and start ticking. Doesn't sound like yours has ran long enough to affect anything.

It does sound like a fuel problem though. Check the fuel/water separator and any other fuel filter. Does it crank right back up after it dies or do you have to spin it on the starter a while?

x-2 - Anytime there is two inches above the full mark on a dipstick there is way more than 1/2 quart of extra fluid/.... oil hopefully in the crankcase.
You must get the extra oil out. Most dipsticks have written right on them "Do not fill above the full mark" It's better to be 1/2 quart low then 1/2 quart over but 1/2 quart would not cause any real problems. I'll bet you are 2 quarts over full and that will cause a problem like blowing a main bearing seal if ran very long or hard.

 

[Don S]

Re: Oil change mistake. Is it a big deal?

I have had a problem keeping it running. Starts but dies after 15 to 45 seconds

I took it in and the mechanic said that isn't the cause of my problem and that I need a carburator rebuild and a tune up.

I would bet that after a carb rebuild and tuneup, that you still have the exact same problem.
Sounds more the the oil pressure switch for the fuel pump or the wiring on it has failed.
The pump is only running while cranking, which fills the carbs float bowl, then when you release the starter, the engine is only running on what is in the carb.

 

[Gary H NC]

Re: Oil change mistake. Is it a big deal?

I doubt any shop would have put near 7 quarts in a 4.3

Suck the oil out.I bet there is water in the bottom of the pan if its really 2 quarts over..Hope i'm wrong...

Dons advice sounds dead on...the carb runs dry at start up..

 

[cooter2506]

Re: Oil change mistake. Is it a big deal?

Dons right? LOL I was the first to mention it!!!!!!! LOL Just kidding Don Love ya man!

 

[Gary H NC]

Re: Oil change mistake. Is it a big deal?

Dons right? LOL I was the first to mention it!!!!!!! LOL Just kidding Don Love ya man!

Sorry Cooter....missed the part in your post about the electric pump...:redface:

 

[capri_1850SS_lover]

Re: Oil change mistake. Is it a big deal?

Thanks everyone for all you suggestions. Just to further the discussion, there wasn't any abnormal blue smoke coming from the exhaust and the motor would start everytime after it had died. The mechanic drained the oil down to the proper level and still couldn't keep it running. I know most mechanics are honest hard working people, but he told me that there was only about a half quart too much oil in there and I beg to differ and am wondering if he is trying to cover up his mistake. I will check a few of these things and follow up with the forum when I know more. Thanks a bunch.

Kyle

 

[180shabah]

Re: Oil change mistake. Is it a big deal?

am wondering if he is trying to cover up his mistake.

Even if he is, it doesn't matter any more. A couple of minutes overfilled at idle will not cause it to continue to stall. Have you tested the oil pressure switch yet?

 

[capri_1850SS_lover]

Re: Oil change mistake. Is it a big deal? RESOLVED

Re: Oil change mistake. Is it a big deal? RESOLVED

My problem is resolved. Many thanks to all, especially cooter and Don S. They nailed it on the head. In the process of locating the oil pressure switch I found that one of the terminals was snapped off. I replaced it with an upgraded or different style and now it is back to running like a champ. This has to have happened when it was winterized/serviced last fall. I took the broken part to the mechanic and he refused to pay for the part. Seems I need to find a new place to winterize/service my boat or maybe I should just learn to do it myself.

 

[HT32BSX115]

Re: Oil change mistake. Is it a big deal?

Yeah, whomever changed that filter probably broke the tab off the oil pressure switch.

In your mechanics defense, that switch was probably "ready" to break anyway and it didn't take much to "push" it over the top.

I would have replaced it though get you to come back....now, not only will you NOT come back, but you'll tell your boating friends to avoid the guy too.....

Maybe the guy needs a "bail-out"


Anyway, you do need to learn to "winterize" your engine. It's not all that hard.!


Regards,


Rick

 

[capri_1850SS_lover]

Re: Oil change mistake. Is it a big deal?

I agree. Even a non mechanic type like me found the problem with a little help from my buddies on the forum. I am just frustrated that they were so indifferent and flat out refused to pay for the part. Had I allowed them to "repair" it, I suspect they they would have changed the part and still charged me for a carb rebuild; and at $95 an hour shop labor I'm sure I would've paid through the nose. Most mechanics are good honest people and I'll just have to find one that I trust.

Thanks again for everyones help here.

 

[monaco187]

Re: Oil change mistake. Is it a big deal?

I've got a 1985 Merc 185 (GM-262) Just for what it is worth, Our boat had very poor engine performance. First, I had carb rebuilt - still bad. Then I replaced all ignition components- Still real bad. After two weeks of screwing around, I read a post in this forum (10 reasons for poor RPM performance). I then let about 1 qt of oil out (I was 3/4" over full line on dipstick) and now the boat is perfect? I've spent around $400 to find out I'm the dipstick.

So, Don't over fill the oil!

I also copied those 10 reasons and have them in the boat along with my tools....

 

[180shabah]

Re: Oil change mistake. Is it a big deal?

Froth is bad...