Oil and filter question,plus some fuel mixed in...

[heyttown]

97 searay 3.0lx mercruiser,alpha one...

Ok naturally the manual calls for mercruiser oil at $5.00 a quart at the local boat place...Previous owner appears to have installed a fram oil filter which im assuming came from an auto store.
(1) Do you mercruiser folks use the merc oil, or do you use something else..If so what is it. I have no problem buying 4 or 5 quarts at $5.00 if that is what is absolutly needed, but IMO there shouldnt be any difference in regular oil either...

(2)I purchased a fuel/water separator filter and I still need to purchase the hub to install it(I bought the filter assuming my boat had one already..oops)...problem is finding a good location to mount it...Not much to mount to back there and also make it fairly easy to reach.

(3)I dont see a regular inline fuel filter, is it possible that the only filter is the one that is the screen inside the fuel line as it screws into the fuel rail on the carb?

(4)Just a curious question as far as tune ups, and oil changes...Do you do your tune ups and oil changes at the end the season or do it come spring time that way everything is as "fresh" as possible?

I have a seloc or chiltons type manual.....In my time of flipping through the pages I could have sworn I saw a fluid capacities page,that says how much oil the engine holds and what type to use, and how much the outdrive holds and what type of fluid?? Any ideas so I can write them down and save them.
Thanks

 

[Bondo]

Re: Oil and filter question,plus some fuel mixed in...

1),... I use Mobil 1 in 15W-50.........
You can use Any brand of oil that meets Merc's current rating requirements,.....

2),...You can mount it Anywhere between the Tank,+ the Fuelpump.......

3),... There's a Fuel Filter Inside the Fuel Pump......

4),... I do the Oil Changes in the Fall,+ Tune ups in the Spring........

5),... Your motor holds 5qts, including the Filter.....
And the Outdrive holds Just Over a Quart...... Mobil 1 in 75W-90 is Mine......

 

[skeat]

Re: Oil and filter question,plus some fuel mixed in...

I use Pennzoil HD Marine 30w, no reason to skimp on oil. as above I do oil changes in the fall (to get the cataminated oil out) but before I fog the engine. This gets a fresh coat of oil on everything. There are no ill side effects of leaving the old plugs in so since the engine's getting fogged and the boat is going to sit in the damp and cold you're better off giving it a fresh tune up in the spring. I also empty the gas tank, which means removing it since it is the only way I can get it all out. Also while fogging the engine I use treated (sta bil) gas, disconnect the line and try to run the carb as close to dry as I can. I find it hard to believe Sea Ray didn't install a water separator, but with today's gas ( especially that with ethanol) you don't want to be without one. Sometimes I don't know if I maintain the boat to use it or if I use it so I can maintain it!

 

[180shabah]

Re: Oil and filter question,plus some fuel mixed in...

4),... I do the Oil Changes in the Fall,+ Tune ups in the Spring........

Same here...

Also, Fram makes one of the worst filters available. You want a filter with a high FLOW capacity so that the oil goes through it instead of around it when the bypass valve opens. The Mercruiser, Sierra and K&N oil filters are all good choices.