Burning oil in 1986 Four Winns with 170 mercruiser

[frankstower]

Already learned that I have some engine troubles which will be taken care of after the season, knew that I was burning oil rather than leaking it, but hope to find out if I'm doing any extra damage. On top of the valve cover there's an outlet where a rubber hose attaches and goes to the air breather cover. Up until recent engine trouble and subsequent burning oil I never paid it no mind. But, after starting to bog down like it wasn't getting any gas, I checked and changed the filter, put in dry gas...to no avail. Next time out I looked closer and realized the burning oil was collecting inside the air breather and depositing into the carb. To see if that was the problem I unhooked the hose at the breather and sure enough, ran great, full power again. Now, the problem is the oil is collecting all over the engine. Tested plugging the hose but the pressure buildup was obviously not going to be good. So, as a last resort, since we were on vacation with 5 kids wanting to tube and knowing I'm rebuilding over the winter, I put two socks over the end of the tube to collect the oil. Amazingly, it worked.... engine ran strong, oil collected in the socks for the most part, but the only problem is the oil pressure was much higher than normal and stayed that way no matter how hard I ran it.
WIth at least one bad cylinder being rebuilt this winter (whether it's piston, rod, bearing... don't know yet) am I risking a lot more work and/or money by doing this?? Season almost over, only going out maybe 3 more times, maybe 4.
Thanks for any help, you guys are great.

 

[Don S]

Re: Burning oil in 1986 Four Winns with 170 mercruiser

Read my reply to your other post. You probably have a hole in the piston minimum.
Stop running the thing and fix it before it's too late to salvage anything. Probably aready is.

For others, here is the other thread.
http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=272108

 

[frankstower]

Re: Burning oil in 1986 Four Winns with 170 mercruiser

From a dummy to somebody who obviously knows a lot more than I do, can you explain why it would run perfectly, with no loss of power? I'm just curious, that's all, not doubting a word you've written.

 

[Don S]

Re: Burning oil in 1986 Four Winns with 170 mercruiser

Like I said, read the other thread, I explained that too.