merc 4.3LX 1992 with watery oil pan

[pocoloco]

Hi everyone. New with boats and trying to make an educated assessment of boats I am viewing to buy something that will run well. I am looking for a 19-23 foot cuddy cabin and for some reason, most have I/O engines, mercury. <br />Saw a boat i particularly liked. Its a 1992 sea ray 22" weekender, 4.3LX with a clock reading 640hs. Did a compression test + test drive. Compression was ok I guess, values 110(??), 125, 135, 145, 125, 140. Noticed that the oil on the dipstick was green/brown, so I am assuming water in the engine. Is this something that may have a easy fix? Or should I forget this one? what can be checked in order to fin what the cost of correcting may be?<br />Also noticed that the seller was steering from one side to the other at "no wake" speed, so I gather the boat was dirfting to the sides, any idea what I should ask/check?<br />I was told that the boat is underpowered with the 4.3 engine, any thoughts?<br />Maybe oughta look for an outboard...

 

[Chris1956]

Re: merc 4.3LX 1992 with watery oil pan

Poco, Water in the oil is a bad thing. If the green/brown stuff was clear, it may not be water. Water makes the oil look like chocolate milk. Also, 640 hours on a motor is a fair amount. Some would say that motor is 640/1000 worn out.<br /><br />Those compression numbers are not great. They should approach 200PSI for each cylinder.<br /><br />Most boats wander at no wake speed. That did not sound like an issue. <br /><br />All in all, that boat may need to be repowered. If you can do it yourself, a longblock can be had for $2100-2400.

 

[pocoloco]

Re: merc 4.3LX 1992 with watery oil pan

thanks for the tips, it sounds like a boat with work.... <br />The oil did look brown chocolate like. When I approached the seller he said, thats condensation. Well, I know one thing for absolute certain: An engine does not have condensation in the oil sump, unless something leaks.<br /><br />The seller said the manual indicates 150psi as being the normal compression. <br /><br />A longblock? That's a complete engine?

 

[JB]

Re: merc 4.3LX 1992 with watery oil pan

Mercruiser topic.