Mercruiser 4.3 general questions

[trabich]

I just bought a 1991 Bayliner capri with the mercruiser 4.3 V6. I am wanting to change the oil and plugs before I take it out. I did see that getting to the pugs are going to be fun. My issue is I can not feel a drain plug on the oil pan. Also i can not seem to find the oil filter. Can anyone help me out with tips on getting the oil and filter changed? What plugs and filter go in this 4.3? Thank you.

 

[imported_TheMan]

Re: Mercruiser 4.3 general questions

Oil pan draing plug is on port side, middle of bottom section of pan. Do you have a quick drain line installed? If so you won't have a plug and will have a hose with a plug on the end of that. Oil filter is also a pain and is located back of engine on port side. Unless you have a remote oil filter.

Look up a 1991 4.3 engine in parts stores.. something such as a 1991 chevy s10 will give you the right filter number. You can either try to collect the oil in a container in the bilge if you are brave or you can pump it out of the dipstick tube with aftermarket tools.

 

[zbnutcase]

Re: Mercruiser 4.3 general questions

Look at the dipstick tube. Notice how it has a garden hose threaded piece on it? You use that to connect to a pump to pull the oil out. Filter is on port side rear of engine waaaayyy down there.

 

[Kaplooi]

Re: Mercruiser 4.3 general questions

Sounds like accessing the filter and drain plug is going to be down to the configuration of your engine bay. On my boat I just have a dog box cover that comes off and gives me reasonably good access to the sides of the engine and the bilge is shaped such that I'm able to get a pan under the engine to drain from the plug. I do have to suck up the oil I've drained with a pump though since I have to tip the drain pan pretty good to get it back out. One way or another you're going to have to be able to reach your filter with a tool or by hand. I'm able to reach to the filter laying on the deck. Reaching it from the top would be pretty hard so if that's your only angle you might need a tool. It should screw on facing upright which should help you from spilling oil all over your bilge when you take out the old one. After changing out my intake manifold I did a 'crackle test' where I took a teaspoon and micro torch and heated the oil close to boiling to see if there was any bubbling from water boiling. Just helps let you know if you have even a small water leak into the block.