4.3L Oil Loss

Kene

Recruit
Joined
Jul 21, 2004
Messages
3
Hello all, I'm very impressed with the broad knowledge you all have!<br /><br />I hope you can help me isolate this problem. I picked up a used 90 20' Sea Ray wtih a 4.3L LX and Alpha One drive. It been sitting around since last season when it was used last. The local marine did system checks, some tuneup work (plugs, wires, rotor, cap), to insure the boat was in good order. The engine is original with 375hrs of use.<br /><br />The engine, sterndrive ran fine for a 4-5 short trips, about an 45-hour each trip. Looking in the bilge and checking the oil before each trip to find same level of water from the last trip (3 or so inches). A check of the engine oil each time revealing brown-dark brown oil, just above the fill line, 25-40 used.<br /><br />Heading out last week, I found oil and water in the bilge, 4-5" with no measure on the stick.<br /><br />I pumped out the bilge and began to inspect the engine for a leak. The rear section of the engine aft of the disributor appeared to has a very slight sheen. The aft section of the engine passenger side appears to be the area where the leak drains to the bilge. There is a slight sheen on the aft spark plug wires, and intake manifold. None around the exhaust manafold or around the head gasket. On the oil pan what appears to be the plug, feels stripped(is it threaded?). The oil filter appears to have spots on it from spray and is secure (more than hand tight). After refilling the oil I lost a qt in 40 minutes 25-3500 rpm. Do these symptoms sound familar to anyone?
 

WillyBWright

Fleet Admiral
Joined
Dec 29, 2003
Messages
8,200
Re: 4.3L Oil Loss

Welcome to iboats.<br /><br />Remove the oil filter and make sure there's only one gasket there. Sometimes when somebody forgets (unforgivable!) to wipe some oil on the filter gasket, it'll stick to the motor. Then if someone neglects (unforgivable!) to wipe the mating surface with a rag before installing the new filter, there's already one there. It'll eventually leak every time and has caused many a motor to run out of oil and lock up. (UNFORGIVABLE!!!)<br /><br />PS Don't be suprised to find this thread locked and moved to the Stern Drive section. FORGIVABLE! ;)
 

Chris1956

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Mar 25, 2004
Messages
28,418
Re: 4.3L Oil Loss

Ten, Also check the oil filter for rust spots. I had one develop a leak in less than a season. Also, those motors have stamped steel oil pans and timing chain covers. Mine have rust spots, and I needed to paint them to save them from rusting through.
 

Fishermark

Vice Admiral
Joined
Oct 19, 2003
Messages
5,617
Re: 4.3L Oil Loss

I would be concerned about the oil pan plug feeling "striped." That's the first thing I would check. Pull it off and find out what is going on. That's a bad place to lose your oil from as you can quickly lose it all! :eek:
 

record hunter

Petty Officer 3rd Class
Joined
Apr 22, 2003
Messages
99
Re: 4.3L Oil Loss

not sure what engine you have I have a friend who lost 4 quarts while underway. He has an i.o. 305 not sure what year after checking it out he found that mercruiser told him that the rear main seal sometimes under way leaks not always but it happens . I believe that they have a differant seal design. He also could not find where he lost all his oiltryed and tryed then called some mercruiser rep. Hope this helps
 

Chris1956

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Mar 25, 2004
Messages
28,418
Re: 4.3L Oil Loss

Ten, Another possible leaking place came to mind. Behind the distributor is the oil pressure sensor for the warning system. They are plain steel and will rust away, causing leaks(from the pressure) when the motor is running.
 
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