OMC oil change Problems---- wrong filter ?

[ab59]

I finally ran the boat long enough to put a few hours on the new 5.7 engine so I wanted to change the oil and get the break in oil out .
I bought a Cobra Marine Filter some time back that was advertised as being for a 5.7 engine . Well although it threaded on just fine it leaks like a sieve and now I've got oil everywhere in the bilge and 5 qt of oil all over and pans trying to catch the new oil.
the Cobra filter # is 173233 and when i looked it up the best I found was something referring to a 263 not a 350 . Is this filter wrong or is it supposed to fit both. I am unfamiliar with a 263 engine.
What a waste of the new oil that I had to special order because no one carries plain 30 wt any more around here.
A.B.

 

[Lou C]

Sounds like you wound up with the filter for the 262 cu in V6 (4.3 liter). Even though the engines are very similar (the 4.3 V6 is 3/4ths of a 5.7 with 2 cyls removed), they do not take the same filter. The one for the 4.3 is smaller. You can use any filter that fits a Chevy 5.7 V8. As far as oil I use Mercrusier 25/40 Marine oil no need to special order.

 

[alldodge]

Match the old filter to the new filter. The cobra filter comes back as a Merc/Quick silver number and is used on many motors. Also check that the old gasket didn't get stuck to the housing and now there is 2 gaskets together on one filter.

When I look up OMC 5.7 I'm finding 16595 also Merc number

 

[ab59]

Thanks for your responses ------Ok guys , I'm going to take a wait tell tomorrow slant on this . I will go out and check the shoulder of the oil filter mount and see if the old gasket is up in there. I went out and looked and I can't see the old gasket anywhere laying around but it could be down in the mess in the bilge . That very thing had crossed my mind after I calmed down a little. I certainly make my share of mistakes so maybe I didn't see that the old gasket was still up in there. I'm unsure at this time if the old gasket were to be the problem , of whether or not to try a second time to use the Cobra filter since the fit is unclear . I would not like to repeat this again.
Will see I guess-----
The oil I drained out of the engine seems to be a little black looking to only have 8 hrs on it , is that unusual or am I seeing re manufacturing gunk in the oil ?
thanks guys----A.B.

 

[Lou C]

https://www.jamestowndistributors.c...cs/Sierra_oil_filtration_cross_ref._guide.pdf

This is a Sierra oil filter cross reference chart, and you can see that for both Mercruiser and OMC, the V8s and V6s take different filters. For my engine I have used Sierra or Mercruiser/Quicksilver filters for years.

 

[ab59]

thanks Lou -- the chart does not load on my computer but I believe you anyways and am just going to buy another filter like the Fram I removed to begin with. What do you think about the dark color of the oil in just 8 hours ??? I don't recall seeing something like this in the past so am a little curious . I had an old 1970 GMC 3/4 ton Pickup that I put 11 350's and one 400 small block in and I don't recall the dark colored oil in just a couple of days time. Could there be an impending problem causing this in your opinion .
thanks----Bruce

 

[Lou C]

dark could be rich running, how do your plugs look?


the V-8s take a Sierra Marine 18-7876 filter, that or the equivalent Mercruiser or Quicksilver, or you can use any auto spec filter for the same engine as well. Keep in mind if the filter listed is for a remote mount, it can be different for the one mounted to the engine...

 

[ab59]

Thanks for your reply Lou---- I had a problem early on with the carburetor flooding so that would explain the dark oil , can't tell you how many different things I was considering that would cause it so thanks for the insight .
Just got back from Wally World and bought the 25/40 you suggested and another Fram PH5 so hopefully this will solve my problem. Except of course the oil all over the place. Good thing oil floats on water .
This time I WILL make sure the old gasket is not still in there. Still not sure but will see in a few minutes.

thanks again----Bruce

 

[ab59]

I say this ONLY because someone may benifit from it and not repeat it. When I pulled the new filter out I did find the old gasket up inside the mount . I had to dig around quite a bit but it was most certainly there. I guess that I may have had and even worse result if I could have got the filter to seal correctly if it was the wrong one as well. In hind site I should have checked the numbers on the filter for correct fit when I first bought it and it would have helped.
So , in closing , I put a Fram filter on that I knew was correct , removed the Cobra Filter and removed the old gasket trapped up in the housing . New oil and everything but the huge mess that I made is good to go now.
thanks for your help Lou C and AllDodge---------Bruce

 

[Twainer]

Thanks for your reply Lou---- I had a problem early on with the carburetor flooding so that would explain the dark oil , can't tell you how many different things I was considering that would cause it so thanks for the insight .
Just got back from Wally World and bought the 25/40 you suggested and another Fram PH5 so hopefully this will solve my problem. Except of course the oil all over the place. Good thing oil floats on water .
This time I WILL make sure the old gasket is not still in there. Still not sure but will see in a few minutes.

thanks again----Bruce

This will probably bring up & crap ton of discussion but I would not run the PH version of the Fram filter in your new engine. I have heard a crap ton of horror stories of them failing. I have watched a video of guy doing non biased testing on several brands. Oddly enough the synthetic version of the Fram filter (might be XG5 for you) which can be bought at Wal Mart is the second best filter that was tested. For a few bucks more the Wix XP was the best he tested. Either one I would trust & currently use in my vehicles.

 

[ab59]

Too little to late my friend as the job is done and I'm not likely to change the oil again to put yet another filter on it . This oil change just cost me more than 100.00 and a ton of clean up so I will try to remember next time and use another filter. I was not aware of any problems with Fram Filters but will try to find a sierra or wix next time.
thanks--- A.B.

 

[HT32BSX115]

I was not aware of any problems with Fram Filters but will try to find a sierra or wix next time.
thanks--- A.B.

That PH-5 will be fine

There are millions of vehicles on the road that get a Fram filter every oil change and do not have problems.

It appears that Fram Filters ARE of a poorer quality but in 99% of applications, they are ADEQUATE.

I like Baldwin filters but they're inconvenient to get where NAPA (WIX) are quite easy to source.

Wix filters are considered by many to be the "best" out there. I believe Baldwin are equal to WIX (quality wise)

Just get a Baldwin or NAPA (Wix) filter for next time and you'll be good!. Any NAPA can also get your fuel filter too!

Cheers,


Rick

By the way,

If you want to cross that OMC filter number go to http://catalog.baldwinfilter.com/

Click on "Cross Reference" copy paste 173233 in, and click "Find Crosses"

Here's what I got: BALDWIN B6

Descriptions: Full-Flow Lube Spin-on Notes: 1 Quart Capacity Fits: Chevrolet, GM Automotive, Light-Duty Trucks, Vans Replaces: GMC 25013454 Thread: 13/16-16 O.D.: 3 11/16 (93.7) Length: 5 11/32 (135.7) I. Gskt.: [1] Included Related to: B1428 (with Anti-Drainback Valve) UPC: 791440000063

Notice it says Related to B1428 If that filter is upside down, it's good to use one with an Anti-Drainback valve. This is the one I ran in my Mercruiser 7.4L Bravo V-8.

Not because it had a anti-drainback valve but because I had a case of them for my 1994 6.5L diesel. The engine doesn't know or care what filter is on it other than if the filter drains when the engine is off (filter upside-down or on it's side)

The most important feature so the filter will work is the thread size, length, gasket (O-ring) diameter and total diameter. If it's too long or too big, it won't fit in the area provided. If the O-ring doesn't seal in the space provided, it'll leak.

And as you found out, if you double up on the O-ring, it will leak!!



\\

 

[HT32BSX115]

Oh,

And additionally, BOTH WIX and NAPA have similar filter lookup tools so you can really look like you know what you're talking about when you get to NAPA!!

http://www.wixfilters.com/Lookup/filterlookup.aspx

173233 returned the following.......note the suggested "Principle Application" at the bottom!!

[h=1]Product Specifications[/h]

Part Number:	51061
UPC Number:	765809510616
Style:	Spin-On Lube Filter
Service:	Lube
Type:	Full Flow
Media:	Enhanced Cellulose
Height:	5.178 (132)*
Outer Diameter Top:	3.66 (93)*
Outer Diameter Bottom:	Closed:
Thread Size:	13/16-16
By-Pass Valve Setting-PSI:	None
Beta Ratio:	2/20=6/20
Burst Pressure-PSI:	285
Max Flow Rate:	9-11 GPM
Nominal Micron Rating:	21

( )* denotes metric

[h=1]Gasket Diameters[/h]

Attached	3.444 (87)*	3.100 (79)*	0.260 (7)*

Number O.D. I.D. Thk.

[h=1]Principle Application:[/h]

Principle Application:

Chevrolet and GMC Trucks (63-90) - Two Quart Version is 51794

 

[alldodge]

I'll 2nd Baldwin and Wix filters

 

[ab59]

Thanks for all the info. I will just go down to Napa next time and buy a filter. Went down there anyway to buy my fuel filter but since I thought I had a nice original Cobra Filter for the oil change I did not get one for the oil change at that time.
After the shock of the cost of oil I went to Wally World and bought the cheaper Fram.
Next time I'll just buy both at the same time at Napa and not worry about it.

thanks again------ Bruce

 

[alldodge]

I buy my filters on line, much cheaper then NAPA.