Mercruiser 140 fluid quantities

[m*a*baity]

Just purchased an 81 Caravelle with a merc i/o 140 engine. Gonna tune it up and clean carb real good before I even fire it up. Hasn't been ran in a while. I'm getting the starter rebuilt and thinking about the alternator while I'm at it. Just curious of the oil type and capacity and filter number. Going to order a manual when I find one but this will be enough info to keep me busy til then. Also on this old of a boat would anyone recommend a different weight oil. Will only be ran in the summer, not a winter boater, too cold. Thanks for your time fellas.

Oh yea, I will take any advice you can give!!

 

[havasuboatman]

Re: Mercruiser 140 fluid quantities

Go to the adults only section at the top of the page. Don has a link there that you can download the manuel for your boat for free.

 

[sunchaser85]

Re: Mercruiser 140 fluid quantities

4 quarts with filter....

I purchased a 1985 Mercruiser 140 last year and have been working through the rebuilding process over the winter. You have found the right place for your knowledge base and the posted manuals!

My boat was in storage for 2 years prior to my purchase in mid season last year. Thankfully I was albe to run it a several times in the later half so I could work out the bugs. Had a persistent fuel problem even though the carb was a rebuilt with the receipt dated just before the storage date.

I sprayed berryman's in the carb and ran 2 cans (berrymans)through the gas tank before I got it cleaned. Then had the problem with acceleration, idled fine, wide open excellent, just in between was not available. Based upon advice here, I just kept cleaning the carb and finally it worked itself out. Since then, I've read here about the water fuel separator and fuel filter annual replacement so I will be addressing that as I put it back together.

Also - had small amout of water/oil in bilge that was finally traced to the stern drive seals. Based upon the age of the stern drive I decided to spend the 2700.00 for a "new" "Mercruiser" sterndrive as posts here indicated even the rebuilts could present problems. This was my toughest decision so far as I only paid 3000 for the boat, but I love the way it handles, size (fits in my garage at an angle) and the family loves a deck boat. I intend to keep it forever.

While I had the motor off, I saw the trim sender/limit wires were exposed in two places behind the bell housing, so I pulled it and I'm awaiting the new trim parts. By the way, when I pulled the bellhousing, saw the u-joint bellows were new, but the water hose was cracked very bad so I'm replacing that too. The gasket kit I bought to put it back together has the new bearing so I'm thinking everything aft of the transom will be "rebuilt or new".

Keep the faith, and try to enjoy the process! I'm already planning my next winter's project "gel coat restoration" after I get the mechanical in tip top shape. In between projects is some awesome summer days of enjoying our 9 mile lake here in Michigan!

 

[m*a*baity]

Re: Mercruiser 140 fluid quantities

Thanks. I don't think i'm ready to spend that kind of money yet. I only gave $800 for it, so just trying to get it running now. Would like to play on it for a little while before I go taking it apart. I'll check the manuals too. very much appreciated!!