2004 4.3 Mercuiser lifter/oil pressure issue

[Bill_1]

I have a 2004 4.3 Mercuiser and it started making a sound like the rocker tapping also I saw a loss in oil pressure from over 40 to around 30 psi.

I started it today and the noise was loud then when it warmed up the tapping became softer but the oil pressure is around 30 psi.

This I my first boat do you have any ideas

 

[P 0 P E Y E]

Re: 2004 4.3 Mercuiser lifter/oil pressure issue

How old is the oil and filter, I would change it with some good old SAE 30

30psi ain't too bad for that boat. Smell the oil, if it smells like gas check your fuel pump.

I like to use a mechanical oil pressure gage for testing.

 

[P 0 P E Y E]

Re: 2004 4.3 Mercuiser lifter/oil pressure issue

Welcome to the forum.

Some other salty type characters should be along shortly.

 

[cr2k]

Re: 2004 4.3 Mercuiser lifter/oil pressure issue

You may have a lifter going soft. I would try some engine oil additive that will free sticky lifters and clean out sludge, like Rislone or Mac's.

Run it for a few hours or what ever your can tells you and change the oil. If it helps Cool! If not Maybe lifter going bad.

 

[P 0 P E Y E]

Re: 2004 4.3 Mercuiser lifter/oil pressure issue

One more entry,

As the engine comes up to operating temperature, the viscosity index or thickness of the oil gets less, thus causing a drop in oil pressure.

 

[Bill_1]

Re: 2004 4.3 Mercuiser lifter/oil pressure issue

The oil pressure dropped while the engine was at normal running temperature the the the rocker noise started. the oil filter is over a year old I went to replace it today and can not reach it or find it. I was told where to find it on the passenger side by the flywheel but I cannot get my arm in there far enough it is a Trophy model. can you tell me how to reach the filter is there a trick

 

[Bill_1]

Re: 2004 4.3 Mercuiser lifter/oil pressure issue

I changed the oil filter and the oil form the crank case and filter looked as used oil should but the oil fill cap is thick with water, oil mixed but not throughout the engine yet the oil pressure before I removed the old oil was 20 to 23 psi. I did not put the new oil in since there is so much water in the valve cover. Any ideas ?

 

[Don S]

Re: 2004 4.3 Mercuiser lifter/oil pressure issue

IF it was way over the full mark on the dipstick and the oil was milky. good chance you have a cracked block caused by freezing.

 

[Bill_1]

Re: 2004 4.3 Mercuiser lifter/oil pressure issue

The only place the oil is milky is in the fill tube and in the valve cover that I can see. The oil that came out of the engine looked as it should, I pulled out 4 quarts, and the engine has not freez'd to the best of my knowledge

 

[Bill_1]

Re: 2004 4.3 Mercuiser lifter/oil pressure issue

Does anyone have any more ideas on the water in the oil only in the valve cover, and low oil pressure

 

[danond]

Re: 2004 4.3 Mercuiser lifter/oil pressure issue

Run it on land with muffs. See if the oil gets milky again. If it does, you have a problem that's going to require disassembly or engine removal to fix.