Mercruiser 350 Audible alarm

[SeattleRob]

I have a 2000 mercruiser 350, and I am getting a steady audible alarm. It came on during a recent outing and I retruned to the shore strait away. When I pulled my driain plug, I found oil in the bilge. I have looked around with a mirror to see if I coulld find the source of the leak and the normal places (Oil pan, valve covers, oil filter) all seem dry. Is there a blow by or someplace anyone could suggest I look? I have had this boat since it was new and never had a problem. I have had it serviced regularly and keep up on my maintenace. This seemed to come out of no where. Any suggestions would be great.

 

[John_S]

Re: Mercruiser 350 Audible alarm

Welcome to iBoats.

Since you had oil in the bilge, but didn't specify what type, it could be from low engine oil pressure or the outrive reserve bottle. What was the color of the oil? Anyway, check both the level of the crankcase oil and the outdrive reserve bottle (located somewhere on your engine.

If you were lucky, the reserve bottle got spilled, hose cut or came off, etc. Driving much of any distance without crankcase oil, will cause excellerated engine wear.

Oil pan and oil filter can rust out, not sealing, etc, but you should have found some trace of oil. Even though you should have a composite timing cover, look around that for leaks. Blow-by would have come out the hose at the flame arrestor, and if it did, there should have been an obvious mess, and major engine problems. The center bolt style valve covers / raised head casting seldom leak.