merc 4.3LX 1992 with watery oil pan

[pocoloco]

Hi everyone. New with boats and trying to make an educated assessment of boats I am viewing to buy something that will run well. I am looking for a 19-23 foot cuddy cabin and for some reason, most have I/O engines, mercury. <br />Saw a boat i particularly liked. Its a 1992 sea ray 22" weekender, 4.3LX with a clock reading 640hs. Did a compression test + test drive. Compression was ok I guess, values 110(??), 125, 135, 145, 125, 140. Noticed that the oil on the dipstick was green/brown, so I am assuming water in the engine. Is this something that may have a easy fix? Or should I forget this one? what can be checked in order to fin what the cost of correcting may be?<br />Also noticed that the seller was steering from one side to the other at "no wake" speed, so I gather the boat was dirfting to the sides, any idea what I should ask/check?<br />I was told that the boat is underpowered with the 4.3 engine, any thoughts?<br />Maybe oughta look for an outboard...

 

[Chris1956]

Re: merc 4.3LX 1992 with watery oil pan

Poco, Water in the oil is a bad thing. If the green/brown stuff was clear, it may not be water. Water makes the oil look like chocolate milk. Also, 640 hours on a motor is a fair amount. Some would say that motor is 640/1000 worn out.<br /><br />Those compression numbers are not great. They should approach 200PSI for each cylinder.<br /><br />Most boats wander at no wake speed. That did not sound like an issue. <br /><br />All in all, that boat may need to be repowered. If you can do it yourself, a longblock can be had for $2100-2400.

 

[pocoloco]

Re: merc 4.3LX 1992 with watery oil pan

thanks for the tips, it sounds like a boat with work.... <br />The oil did look brown chocolate like. When I approached the seller he said, thats condensation. Well, I know one thing for absolute certain: An engine does not have condensation in the oil sump, unless something leaks.<br /><br />The seller said the manual indicates 150psi as being the normal compression. <br /><br />A longblock? That's a complete engine?

 

[JB]

Re: merc 4.3LX 1992 with watery oil pan

Mercruiser topic.

 

[Chris1956]

Re: merc 4.3LX 1992 with watery oil pan

Poco, A longblock is a motor with cylinder heads. Some come with oil pans and timing covers, some don't. A short block does not have heads. If you were to purchase a longblock for $2200, you would need to transfer the oil pan, timing cover, main pulley, valve covers, intake and exhaust manifolds, starter and alternator, carb, distributor, sparkplugs, igniton system etc, from your old motor.

 

[rbezdon]

Re: merc 4.3LX 1992 with watery oil pan

Water in the oil could also mean risers and manifolds and not necessarily a new engine unless the curent owner doesnt deal with it and leaves it in there while a 100 people test drive the boat he is selling killing what is left of the engine. Unless you are interested in spending some time and effort finding and fixing this issue because you really just have to have this boat and you get a great deal (like free), I would let it go. Tel the owner if he gets the water issue fixed call you otherwise walk if you can. and I agree, the 4.3 will be underpower for that size boat, especially cuddy, they are heavier than open bow runabouts.

 

[Haut Medoc]

Re: merc 4.3LX 1992 with watery oil pan

My advice is: Keep looking! How the water got in the oil is anybody's guess at this point. You are probably looking at new risers/manifolds as well. Unless the price of the boat is so cheap that you can justify sinking 3-4 K into it, move on. IMHO I would look for an 8 cylinder engine for anything over 20'...........JK

 

[pocoloco]

Re: merc 4.3LX 1992 with watery oil pan

everyone, thanks for your advice... There are a lot of ifs tied to a lot of dollars. Seller is wanting 7000. Not worth it... I'll keep lookin'<br /><br />thanks.