2006 4.3 Mercruiser Oil Leak up front

[Zeusdafreak1]

Re: 2006 4.3 Mercruiser Oil Leak up front

No I have got an absorbent pig that I am going to take and wrap around in the bilge. I will be in the Mississippi river today. I guess its the less of two evils. I hope I don't lose much anyway. It may not be a very long day if it does. I don't care to have more problems. I cannot believe this has happened. I have people coming in from out of state to vacation with us and go boating this coming week. They will be here Wednesday morning. I wish I knew I could do it. I would skip today and go ahead and break it down.

 

[bjcsc]

Re: 2006 4.3 Mercruiser Oil Leak up front

Look on the bright side, you could have it fixed under warranty...

I had to inspect my timing chain and had to do the same thing you need to do. If and when you do it, you'll see the curve on the bottom backside of the timing cover and you'll realize it would have been impossible to get it back it without the pan removed. You'll also notice that the timing cover is stamped with something to the effect of "replace if removed"...

If you run it and just keep topping it off, consider putting something under there to absorb the drips (like this ) as opposed to pumping out the emulsion with your bilge pump...be nice to the waterways (big fine around here if you make rainbow water $$$$)

 

[Zeusdafreak1]

Re: 2006 4.3 Mercruiser Oil Leak up front

Hey bjcsc,
What year is your 4.3 that you had to do this work on? Judging from your experiences and the knowledgable gentlemen on here I believe I may wait...............but my 2006 sure looks like I could do this work myself. UGHH!

 

[bjcsc]

Re: 2006 4.3 Mercruiser Oil Leak up front

Well, that's kind of a trick question. Technically, my setup is 1997 (LK) I bought a new GM marine base engine in 2004 though. You absolutely can do this yourself. The only tool you may not have, outside of pulling the engine, is a puller/installer for the harmonic balancer. It takes time if you're learning as you go. Give yourself a couple days. With me, I removed my back seat, drive connection, etc.., drained the water and oil, pulled it with a boom and bolted it to a stand. The actual cover/pan work is cake - it's getting it in and out that takes time. I also had someone (my GF!) handle the engine as far as helping me get it out and in. If I was in your situation, and the drip was slow enough, I would put a couple of the bilge pads in there, take extra oil, monitor it closely, and have fun with your guests. If the drip is slight and stays that way, you could either 1) run that way until the off season and then let the dealer fix it under warranty. Those guys (and Bond-o, Don S., etc.) could knock it out before lunch... or 2) Set aside a couple of days and have at it...

edit: You may need other tools because you probably will have to align your drive when your finished, but I don't know much about that as I have a jet...

 

[Zeusdafreak1]

Re: 2006 4.3 Mercruiser Oil Leak up front

I have a full foot or better in front of my pulleys. If it were not for the matter of the oil pan I feel I wouldn't have to pull the motor.

 

[bjcsc]

Re: 2006 4.3 Mercruiser Oil Leak up front

Hey, there's nothing wrong with trying to replace it in the boat. The worse that could happen is that it won't work and you'll have to pull the engine (which is what you'd have to do anyway). Maybe you'll get lucky...

 

[Bondo]

Re: 2006 4.3 Mercruiser Oil Leak up front

If it were not for the matter of the oil pan I feel I wouldn't have to pull the motor.

Ayuh,................

And,......... If only Women,+ Liberals would Listen to Reason,....................

 

[Zeusdafreak1]

Re: 2006 4.3 Mercruiser Oil Leak up front

LOL. I hear you. OK I see the light and fully understand now that the oil pan needs to come down. I went out and looked at it in better lighting and I see the common seam between oil pan and timing cover. You all were exactly right of course I just was unable to see it at night. I thought that the oil pan was a flat plate and the seam was further down. I can see now that the oil pan is just that, a pan with 1 - 1 1/2 inch lip, or rim, around the outside edge and in the front it shares a common seam with the timing plate. This is what you were talking about. Case closed. I see it now. Thanks for all the help and patience.

I just tried to tighten the front few oil pan bolts, now that I can see them, and they were all snug. I can easily reach the first 2-3 bolts on each side. If I were to loosen these during the job do you think that would give me enough slack to work with to repair this? My boat has quite a bit of room both in front of the pulleys and undernear the motor. Obviously it would be very difficult to impossible to get to the rear oil pan bolts but the front few are accesible. If not its off to a Merc dealer and no boat for quite a while.

 

[Bondo]

Re: 2006 4.3 Mercruiser Oil Leak up front

Even though the Oil Pan is only Tin,............

It's Not that Flexible........

What you propose has been done before,+ Usually results in More Oil Leaks in More Places...........

 

[Zeusdafreak1]

Re: 2006 4.3 Mercruiser Oil Leak up front

I understand. I guess I will take it out and see just how bad a leak I have and go from there. If I lose a cupful or less per outing I guess I have a little time to get it lined up with a Merc dealer, if its a quart or more its getting parked.

 

[kbuts34]

Re: 2006 4.3 Mercruiser Oil Leak up front

Did you ever get this fixed? It appears I may have the same issue on my 4.3 merc. Mine does not appear to leak as much.

 

[Don S]

Re: 2006 4.3 Mercruiser Oil Leak up front

http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=468283