Engine oil level

[jmarty10]

2nd issue for the week. I have 4.3l merc alpha one 2008. Weve been out a lot so I checked fluid levels last night. Engine oil level was down to the add area of the dipstick. Still in the ok range but barely. I added about 12oz's of the correct grade engine oil. Its now on the full/ok range of the dipstick. I'm hoping I didnt over fill. Is adding 12oz's of oil about half way through boating season abnormal? I dont remember doing this last year. No oil in bilge.

 

[dannyual767]

Re: Engine oil level

No one likes to have to add oil to an engine because it means that the engine is either burning it or leaking it (assuming the oil level was checked accurately.)

That being said, many engines do use/leak some oil so its not unusual to have to add some. You said, "half way" through the boating season but that doesn't tell us how many hours of use. If it were only an hour, I'd say your engine went through a lot of oil. If it were 25 hrs, I'd say that isn't out of the ordinary.

Its not good to overfill a crankcase with oil. However, I don't think that 12 oz over full is all that much to be worried about. Not only that, but you say that the dipstick is now right on the full mark. It isn't overfilled! Its now at the perfect level.

BTW, you are checking the oil with the boat at the same level, right? You know; like a car's oil shouldn't be checked while parked up a steep incline but rather nice and level.

 

[jmarty10]

Re: Engine oil level

Thanks for the reply. I would say we're at 25 hrs to date with alot of hard use. Almost every time out I'm pulling tubers and skiers. The boat was pretty level on the trailer not cranked up so the bow is not too high. I'll check the level again on the dipsitck. If I run the boat on the muffs and their is too much oil in the pan can it cause damage? What should I be looking for? Thanks again

 

[sethjon]

Re: Engine oil level

For any damage to occur you'd have to really over fill it. I wouldn't worry. In the future, if you pull a lot of tubes and skiers you should check the oil every time you are about to use it when its cold for the most accurate check. You should also carry a qt with you in case you need to add some while in use.