Mercruiser 5.0 engine oil capacity

Jmac127

Cadet
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Mar 8, 2022
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10
I have a 2004 Tahoe Mercruiser 5.0 MCM engine..I was trying to figure out the oil capacity, I’m getting different suggestions, and have no owners manual. Any help appreciated.

Thanks!
 

QBhoy

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Mar 10, 2016
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This has been discussed previously. There are 2 stated capacity figures, depending on where you look. Either just over 4 litres or about 5 litres. I think the difference is the dipstick to be honest. Could be wrong. Someone put a strong argument forward for 4 litres not being enough at high rpm. Worrying really.
 

QBhoy

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Mar 10, 2016
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Just to add to this. I’m going to put a little more oil in mine, going forward. It’s so strange that same era 5.0’s have two different suggested capacities. One is 4.2 and the other is 5.5. Mine from empty takes 4l to see nearly full on dip stick with filter empty. Around 4.2/4.3 litres total including filter will see nearly the full mark on dip stick.
 

achris

More fish than mountain goat
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May 19, 2004
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27,468
Just to add to this. I’m going to put a little more oil in mine, going forward. It’s so strange that same era 5.0’s have two different suggested capacities. One is 4.2 and the other is 5.5. Mine from empty takes 4l to see nearly full on dip stick with filter empty. Around 4.2/4.3 litres total including filter will see nearly the full mark on dip stick.
Don't overfill!
Too much oil puts the oil level in the sump within striking range of the bigends as they fly around, and that aerates the oil, which leads to insufficient oil getting to bearings and the like... And that leads to... engine death!

If the FULL mark is reached at 4.3 litres, then only add 4.3 litres!

Chris..........
 

Jmac127

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Mar 8, 2022
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I’m glad people are chiming in to this..I put 4.5qts in mine. I checked the dipstick but hard to tell because I had just siphoned the oil out and it was costing the cylinder for dipstick..so when I pulled the dipstick out it was hard to tell.. my plan is to check again before starting and running.
 

Bondo

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Apr 17, 2002
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71,130
Ayuh,.... Welcome Aboard,..... Years ago, I took to dumpin' in 4 quarts, checkin' the dipstick, startin' the motor to fill the filter, 'n look for leaks,....
Then toppin' it off to the full mark on the dipstick,.....
 
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