350 Mag Horizon Bravo 2

[Blitzen]

I ordered and had built a new boat with the above as the power package. It was delivered 8/26/2004. Boat was purchased directly from the manufacturer with no dealer involved. Engine has the extended 3 year warranty. Engine has approx. 20 hours on it ( I do not have an hour meter) and EVERY time before starting the oil was checked. Merc. dealer winterized it approx. one week ago and indicated that the oil was "dangerously" low. Tech thought he pulled 2-3 quarts out of the engine. Told him all of the above but he stood by his observations. Checked oil level after he filled it with 5 quarts 25-40.......it was approx. 3.5 inches above OK level. I assume the engine has permanent damage since this occured during break-in. Does Mercruiser ship engines with oil? How could this have happened? Has anyone heard of any similar situations? The wrong dipstick??!!

 

[tommays]

Re: 350 Mag Horizon Bravo 2

why do you feel the motor is damaged ?<br /><br />talk to merc directly about the dip stick i am sure they will work with you to make it correct i dont understand why the dealer did not due this for you<br /><br />tommays

 

[jamesgangnc]

Re: 350 Mag Horizon Bravo 2

I would not go by what I could pump out of the crankcase. I could never get all the oil out of my 350 that way. I added one of those drain hoses that goes in the oil pan plug. Then I know I'm getting it all.

 

[Don S]

Re: 350 Mag Horizon Bravo 2

I have heard of this one other time, and can't say if it's right or wrong, but it might be something to check on.<br />If your engine is equipped with the quick drain system (Hose to bottom of pan) and the dealer tries to use the dipstick in the normal method used for years, it may not allow all of the oil to be removed from the engine for the simple fact that the dip stick tube doesn't go all the way to the bottom of the pan as it used to.<br />One other thing about your dealer. To just add 5 quarts of oil and not check the level with the dipstick is rediculous.<br />Being over full won't cause any damage if you haven't run it. If if it was run the oil would only be aireated due to the crank hitting the oil and would make the lifters start to clatter. But no damage.<br />I would strongly suggest you contact Mercruiser customer service. I haven't seen any Service Bulletins on this problem and haven't tried using the dipstick tube to remove oil and compare the volume, but you really need to get the problems solved.<br /><br />This is from the Mercruiser service manual.<br />

 

[Blitzen]

Re: 350 Mag Horizon Bravo 2

Thanks for all of your replys. My assumption of engine damage was based on low oil whereas the consensus seems to be the winterizing dealer failing to completely remove all the oil thus the high read now on the dipstick. How could an Authorized Merc. dealer make such a fundamental mistake? If all of the above is true, it would seem to me probably no damage has been done since the engine has not been run. Hopefully I can get the regional Merc rep to drain the crankcase himself or at least witness it.......if only 5 quarts new engine? If 8 quarts.......new dealer? Thanks again and I will report back.

 

[Blitzen]

Re: 350 Mag Horizon Bravo 2

Update. Pulled 7.5 quarts out of a cold engine. Oil appeared to be somewhat dark and a little frothy. My intent is to get it up to temperature next spring and change the oil again. How should I handle this with the dealer? By the way, this guy also has my outdive in for warranty repair....water found in the gimbal bearing housing. How much confidence can you have in a dealer who cannot change the oil?

 

[Don S]

Re: 350 Mag Horizon Bravo 2

Oil appeared to be somewhat dark and a little frothy.

The oil shouldn't be frothy after sitting for a while, the air bubbles would all pop and it would be oil again.<br /><br />Regarding your water in the bellows problem. Make sure they install a new bellows. Merc had problems with water getting in the bellows and redesigned the bellows. I have run into this problem on several. Merc warranted it and replaced the gimbal bearing and ujoints because water was in both.