1991 4.3l merc first run.

[Kng15012]

I spent 2 hours on the water yesterday. Mostly running/idling. I pulled the dipstick and saw what looked to be great looking oil. Not milky at all. But apears to be a quar or so too full. I assume 2 hours running time would easily be enough to turn new oil milky if water was entering? The oil pressure was great also and the boat performed like a champ. My reason for asking is I have an appointment for new bellows this week. So am I just freaking out over this oil being just too full or should I be concerned with water?

 

[Scott Danforth]

if it was water, you would have pulled the dipstick to find chocolate pudding

did the oil smell like gas? if so, your fuel pump diaphragm may have departed

or did you put too much oil in the pan to begin with?

 

[Kng15012]

The oil smelled fine. And had consistency of normal oil. And a shop changed the oil when winterized. It's was a small amount over full to begin with. i just assume any sign of water in oil would be significantly noticeable?

 

[achris]

Just be aware that the end of the dipstick is still in the tube. The tube goes all the way to the very bottom so it can be used to suck oil out for a change... (As opposed to dropping 5 litres of dirty engine oil in the bilge)... The main part of the oil could be contaminated, and you still won't see it on the dipstick. You need to open the oil filler cap and look into the engine through the hole.

Chris.....

 

[Kng15012]

Thanks for all the replies! I did look on to the head through the oil filler cap. And everything looks good. All clean, no signs of water, as in a foamy look etc. I don't know what else I can check visually. Other than draining some oil.

 

[Scott Danforth]

if the dipstick and the bottom of the oil cap are clean, along with visual thru the oil fill hole, most likely too much oil added.

check daily, monitor, and enjoy your boat.

 

[Kng15012]

Would it be a good idea to have the shop pressure check the block before bellows install? Or should be okay?

 

[Maclin]

Are you saying that the oil level raised significantly after running it for a while?

 

[Alumarine]

Would it be a good idea to have the shop pressure check the block before bellows install? Or should be okay?

The bellows don't have a bearing on water in the motor unless water fills the boat and covers the motor.
If that's what you're asking.

 

[Kng15012]

The oil level is about 1/2 inch maybe and inch over full. I can't remember exactly how full it was when I first started it. I know the oil looks good and clean on the dipstick. After two hours of run time. Some wot some idling. I did pull the oil cap off the head and all looked good in there also. i got the boat in feb and I know it was professionally winterized. I spoke to the shop myself. It had fogging oil in it. Fresh motor oil and outdrive oil. This was the first run by me owning the boat

 

[Kng15012]

I'm trying to figure out if something is wrong with the motor before I have bellows installed. As in is the boat worth it.

 

[BRG25]

If it concerns you, go to Wal Mart and buy and oil evacuating pump and suck it all out of the dipstick tube and see what you have. It's easy to do.

 

[Rick Stephens]

If it concerns you, go to Wal Mart and buy and oil evacuating pump and suck it all out of the dipstick tube and see what you have. It's easy to do.

Exactly. You don't even have to pull it all out. Using an oil vacuum suction tool pull a quart off the bottom of the pan through the dipstick tube. Dump into a clear glass container and see if anything separates. Not only do you get to look at the oil on the bottom, which is where the water goes, but you get the level down to where it belongs.. Too much oil can be pretty rough on the motor as the crank lobes beat it into a froth.

Rick

 

[Kng15012]

No Title

 

[Kng15012]

That's the oil I drained out. Looks good? About a quart took it to full

 

[Rick Stephens]

I couldn't find a good picture of engine oil, but here's one of sampling fuel in a glass jar. From the top it will look normal. Gotta dump it in glass to see if it separates any water.

 

[Bondo]

That's the oil I drained out. Looks good? About a quart took it to full

Ayuh,.... Ya gotta look at it from the Bottom, not the top,.....

Water is heavier than oil,... oil floats,....

 

[Kng15012]

I drained from the drain plug on the bottom of the oil pan. Figuring water would come out first. I had not ran the boat before i opened the drain. I got no water at all.

 

[achris]

I drained from the drain plug on the bottom of the oil pan. Figuring water would come out first. I had not ran the boat before i opened the drain. I got no water at all.

:thumb:

 

[Rick Stephens]

Yup, that's EXCELLENT. Takes most of the worrisome stuff off the table.