Changing oil

[Sascha Lenz]

Hey guys whats up, i have a 1997 Mercruiser with a 4.3L motor. the engine oil is so over filled that i really need to change the oil, but i cannot find where to let the oil out. I dont have money to buy the pump for the dipstick hole. When i look at the engine, right where the dipstick attaches to the oil pan, i can see a hose going from the oilpan, but i cant locate it outside of the boat...Im totally lost and am ready to go boating so please help me out@! If it helps, the boat is 19feet and 3 inches long

 

[TJDave]

Re: Changing oil

I bought a cheapo hand pump for around $20 at Schmucks Auto Supply. (Checker/ Kragen for you eastern boys.) It came with various tubes to pump through the dipstick. I know you said you could not afford one, but the hand pump was way less than filling up the boat with gas.

As for your oil pan hose, I have never seen that so I can offer no help.

 

[IVAZ]

Re: Changing oil

Hey guys whats up, i have a 1997 Mercruiser with a 4.3L motor. the engine oil is so over filled that i really need to change the oil, but i cannot find where to let the oil out. I dont have money to buy the pump for the dipstick hole. When i look at the engine, right where the dipstick attaches to the oil pan, i can see a hose going from the oilpan, but i cant locate it outside of the boat...Im totally lost and am ready to go boating so please help me out@! If it helps, the boat is 19feet and 3 inches long

Welcome to iboats.
That hose should be just sitting somewhere in the bilge, it wont be sticking outside of the boat. Once you locate the end of said hose feed it thru the bilge drain hole to the outside the boat.
Engine oil level being "way over" can be a sign of trouble. Do you know why it?s over the correct level?

 

[QC]

Re: Changing oil

Moved this to the I/O forum, to help keep things straight. Good luck Sascha, and welcome aboard iboats!

 

[Sascha Lenz]

Re: Changing oil

Well, im having bad feelings about the oil being "Way Over" feelings like that the oil is actually mostly water...i hope thats not the case because that motor is only 3 years old and has barely 20 hours on it. It is not my boat, but i am wanting to take it out on the lake. we had it out exactly one year ago. Im just hoping that there wasnt any water in the block over the winter...when i pull the dipstick out there is only tiny water spots on it like condensation...My uncler might have over filled it but im not sure...thats why im wanting to drain the oil to check for water...

 

[QC]

Re: Changing oil

What color is the oil? Is it still semi-clear? If it is opaque and milky or Chocolaty looking then it is probably all over but the crying. A little condensation is not an issue, an oil smoothie is . . .

 

[Sascha Lenz]

Re: Changing oil

You know, thats the thing it looks like regular oil, not milky or anything... lets say it this way, it looks like engine oil that has around 1500 miles on it...and it smells like it too thats why im confused...it smells a little gasy, but on my car it smells the same... the boad is sitting kinda funny too, and since the dipsick hole is in the back im thinking it could be because of the abck being lower than the front...but i wont know until i pump that oil out...

 

[Gary H NC]

Re: Changing oil

If it has the rubber hose attached to the oil pan just feed it out the bilge drain as already pointed out.No need for a pump if it has that.

 

[IVAZ]

Re: Changing oil

The diaphragm in the fuel pump can rupture and leak gas into the oil.

 

[Sascha Lenz]

Re: Changing oil

Well, i see the hose but i cant locate it...thats the thing you know? im a Diesel mechanic in the army...but have never really worked on boats, i see the hose going from the dipstick tube, but thats also where i lose it, i stuck my finger in the drain hole and i still couldnt locate...any idea?

 

[QC]

Re: Changing oil

Hire a undernourished skinny kid to climb under and feed it out the bilge drain . . . This works for many marine repairs

You say you can see the hose from the drain plug on the pan right? Black? can you see the end? There should be a brass pair of plugs and fittings with a wire for the final plug. You need to reach in with something from the drain hole, grab the wire and pull it out. Other than that, you have to push it out.

There was a service letter from Merc to disable this deal. It was a liability thing because people were letting them follow behind the trailer, getting torn off, losing all of their oil, and then just going boating . . . I love the hose, but it may be Zip tied inside if somebody followed the service letter.

 

[Sascha Lenz]

Re: Changing oil

You guys are really alot of help, no sarcasm. i cant see the end but the bilge drain has 2 screws i could take out(they hold on a plastic piece), maybe that will give me a bigger hole to look in? and maybe i could find it that way?

 

[QC]

Re: Changing oil

Could work, but should have adhesive/sealant that may make it hard to pull even with the screws out. Can you take the rear seats out? Mirror?

 

[Gary H NC]

Re: Changing oil

An extendable mechanics mirror and a flashlight usually does the trick.
If he can't see down there then it may not even have one.
Sounds like he is looking at the dipstick tube and not a rubber drain hose..?

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Changing oil

If you can't see, put your digital camera down there and start taking pictures. That is what I do when I can't see in an enclosed area.

 

[Sascha Lenz]

Re: Changing oil

well, i talked to the owner of the boat (my brother in law) and he said it does have the drain hose, and he said i have to fish it out of the hole, would a coat hanger do? a metal one bent straight with a hook?

 

[Gary H NC]

Re: Changing oil

If you can't see, put your digital camera down there and start taking pictures. That is what I do when I can't see in an enclosed area.

I have done that Bruce....I dropped the GF's new camera in the bilge...that 1 inch of water killed it...lol!
I had to make it right so she got an upgrade to a 600 dollar Cannon..
She won't let me use it either...

Sorry,Back on topic now!

 

[Gary H NC]

Re: Changing oil

well, i talked to the owner of the boat (my brother in law) and he said it does have the drain hose, and he said i have to fish it out of the hole, would a coat hanger do? a metal one bent straight with a hook?

Should work! Cool!