1998 Mercrusier 3.0 Oil Pan Leaking

[synergy141]

Im looking at a 98 Maxum bowrider with a 3.0 Mercruiser. The owner says it is leaking a bit of oil from the oil pan. Could this just be the gasket or is it something worse?

 

[Bt Doctur]

Re: 1998 Mercrusier 3.0 Oil Pan Leaking

More likely a pinhole in the oil pan itself

 

[Stinger95]

Re: 1998 Mercrusier 3.0 Oil Pan Leaking

It is most likely the gasket, but I would look at the screws around the oil pan to see if they are cross threaded or stripped. If there is a hole in the oil pan that would be a blown motor.

 

[Alpheus]

Re: 1998 Mercrusier 3.0 Oil Pan Leaking

If there is a hole in the oil pan that would be a blown motor.

Can you explain your therory on why if there is a hole in an oil pan you would automatically deduce that it has a " blown motor"? As you succinctly put it...

As stated above. If the PO has never had the engine out of the boat and messed with the oil pan, and the engine still turns over and runs. Then it is most undoubtedly a pinhole in the oil pan caused by rust and or corrosion. Unless he forgot to tighten the drain plug...

 

[ziggy]

Re: 1998 Mercrusier 3.0 Oil Pan Leaking

only three places a pan can leak that i'm aware of.

the pan gasket
the oil drain plug seal
the pan itself (rust pin hole)

on my boat it was a rust pin hole in the pan itself. darn leak just wouldn't go away and caused me to pull the engine to replace the pan a month or so ago..

If there is a hole in the oil pan that would be a blown motor.

the rust pin hole in mine just caused a annoying slow drip the kept my bilge messy. i lived for at least a half season or more using a paper towel acting as a maxy pad right under the drip. one day at the lake and my paper towel would be mostly wet. not a major leak...

 

[98Shabah]

Re: 1998 Mercrusier 3.0 Oil Pan Leaking

I'd really like to see for myself what "a bit of oil" coming from the oil pan looks like..

 

[Stinger95]

Re: 1998 Mercrusier 3.0 Oil Pan Leaking

Sorry boss guess I should have elaborated for ya. A "pin hole" could be rust. A big hole could be rot or rod. I would look the pan over real good and have the seller run the motor and listen for knocking. Not necessarily a blown motor with a small leak!