1998 merc. 4.3L big oil problems

[bigproblemsinohio]

Ok, I've got big problems (I think), but know very little about the workings of these engines. I'll give as much detail as I can, and any advice will be greatly appreciated. I have a an 1998 Regal LSC 2150 in mint condition (I thought). It has extremely low hours on it.....less than 1000. I have not used the boat in 3 yeras. I recently decided I was going to sell it. After removing the boat from storage (outside storage) and prepping it for sale, I came upon the problem. I noticed there was no oil in the engine. I couldn't recall if I had the oil drained 3 years prior to storing, so I went out and bought a new filter and oil. After I changed the filter, and added the oil (5 quarts) I checked the dipstick and it was bone dry. I looked under the engine and lying in well was the 5 quarts of oil. My immediate thought was a plug from the pan was missing....but not the case. As I was feeling around the bottom of the engine for a missing plug, I notice oil dripping from the bottom of the engine. After closer examaniation, I noticed a huge crack between 2 bolts on what I thought/think was the oil pan....but am not sure. First question, do these engines have an oil pan like an auto engine? This is definately at the furthest bottom component of the engine and it is a cast metal.....not sheet metal like I would expect to see on an auto engine. Second question, could this be a cracked block? The oil is coming out of this thing as fast as I put it in. Has anyone ever heard of a cracked oil pan on the side?

 

[Don S]

Re: 1998 merc. 4.3L big oil problems

The newer Vortec 4.3'a had a cast aluminum pan. Yea, sometimes they may crack. Some times they have rods pushing outward from the inside.

 

[Maclin]

Re: 1998 merc. 4.3L big oil problems

Your engine is almost identical to an auto engine in layout and form/function. The oil pan may be aluminum. I do not know how it could crack just sitting not being used.

On some of those 4.3 engines there is a fitting mounted on one side of the bottom of the oil pan. That is where the dipstick tube mounts, and there is an optional provision for a quick oil drain setup. If you have that option there would be a larger hose plumbed in and laying around, it is to be pulled thru the bilge drain hole. There should also be a petcock or other method of opening and closing the drain.

Here is a link to a drawing that may help you to envision it. However it is best to post your engine serial number when looking things up to be sure it is the right drawing.....:

http://www.dougrussell.com/partscatalog/components/index.cfm?fuseaction=viewparts&colid=04&coldesc=4%2E3LH%20%20%28GEN%20%2B%29%20%284%20BBL%2E%29%20%20%20%20%20GM%20262%20V%2D6%201998&index=2694&block=220&BlockNumberList=30,40,20,100,120,90,110,160,200,190,180,340,70,60,290,140,130,280,270,300,80,210,310,0,220,320,260,250,170,350,360,230,240,150,10,330,50

 

[Maclin]

Re: 1998 merc. 4.3L big oil problems

Don S post was not there when I started mine, his typing must be getting better after the injury....

 

[Maclin]

Re: 1998 merc. 4.3L big oil problems

Hey Don, do you mean Connecting Rods pushing outwards? zoiks....

 

[Don S]

Re: 1998 merc. 4.3L big oil problems

Don S post was not there when I started mine, his typing must be getting better after the injury....

Stitches out about 5 hours ago....... Ahhhhh, much better.

 

[Maclin]

Re: 1998 merc. 4.3L big oil problems

Sweet. I had a car trailer tongue fall across my foot a couple of years ago and split it open, man did it feel good when those stitches finally came out.....

 

[bigproblemsinohio]

Re: 1998 merc. 4.3L big oil problems

Thanks for the help guys. What are the chances of replacing this oil pan WITHOUT pulling the motor?

 

[bomar76]

Re: 1998 merc. 4.3L big oil problems

Zero unless you cut out the hull under the engine and do if from below.

 

[Bondo]

Re: 1998 merc. 4.3L big oil problems

What are the chances of replacing this oil pan WITHOUT pulling the motor?

Ayuh,....

That just Ain't gonna happen.... No how, No way.....

 

[bigproblemsinohio]

Re: 1998 merc. 4.3L big oil problems

Thanks again! Got a mechanic lined up this afternoon. Gonna fix it next week. Told him I would get the new pan. Need the "GM block code" off the motor to make sure I get the right pan.....evidently there are 2 styles of aluminum cast pans for this engine. Where do I find the GM block code.....3 letters I believe???????

 

[bigproblemsinohio]

Re: 1998 merc. 4.3L big oil problems

Does anyone know if there is more than 1 style oil pan for this engine? Most part sites ask for the block code and list 2 different pans. What are the differences?

 

[Bondo]

Re: 1998 merc. 4.3L big oil problems

and list 2 different pans. What are the differences?

Ayuh,.... I assume that 1 is Aluminum,+ 1 is Steel.......

 

[jaywiz]

Re: 1998 merc. 4.3L big oil problems

the block code will be at the rear of the engine on the flang where if it were in a car it would bolt to the transmission.most were on the right side if you were looking at the front of the motor back.hope this helps.