Think About This

[marktwainsonic]

This is more or less just making conversation. But it is about i/o motors, so I thought this would be the spot to post it.

Helped a buddy look at a'94 Rinker tonight with a 3.0 Alpha in it.

The P.O. said he has had the boat for five years. Runs it a few times each summer.

Had it tuned (he said) and oil changed last fall and has boated three times this year.

I pulled the dipstick and the oil was like light colored honey. This is what I think oil looks like right out of the bottle.

I told my buddy to walk away. I said there was no way this guy had put this oil in last fall and run the boat three times and it didn't have any darkening or streaking in it.

Another guy who was with us said if the boat was used just a few times ea. summer since new the motor might be in such good shape that it wouldn't darken the oil and might be a gem.

He did have a great idea...take the boat out and run it for half an hour then check the oil again. That would tell all!

However, I think my buddy has decided against the boat anyway due to size, so I'm just throwing it out for conversation. Think this is a i/o with a problem and the oil just changed, or could it really be that clean?

Thanks

 

[LAC_STS]

Re: Think About This

I got a brand new 5.7 engine.

I changed the oil after the first 10 hours. I put in 40W Pennzoil Marine HDEO oil.

It has almost 40 hours on it now and still looks brand new every time I check the oil. Just as you describe, like a light colored honey.

 

[wire2]

Re: Think About This

If the "3 trips" were not very many hours total, the oil would still be clear.

 

[Alumarine]

Re: Think About This

With my truck sometimes it takes a couple of weeks before I can easily see the oil level on the dipstick because it's so clear.

My boat is also pretty darn clean looking on the dipstick if it isn't all milk shaky.

 

[marktwainsonic]

Re: Think About This

Thanks for the quick feedback. I stand corrected.

 

[Alumarine]

Re: Think About This

Thanks for the quick feedback. I stand corrected.

You might not be wrong.
If I was selling anything I would make sure it had fresh clean oil in it if it was prone to getting black quick.

 

[egclassic]

Re: Think About This

It has been my experience that Dark(almost black) oil is a sign of less than desired maintenance. Usually, once oil gets black in an engine, it takes several oil changes of short run times to clear, a little.
All of my vehicles,(boats, cars and harley), have "clear" oil on the dipstick at the next oil change.
As far as the boat in question, could go either way. Seller may be honest and it is a good engine, or he may think everyone other than him is nieve, and has never heard of this practice.
If he is honest, he should have no problem meeting the potential buyer at the closest river or lake for a test run.
I am selling a small boat and in my add, I offered to either run it in a flush tank or meet a seriously interested person at the river for a test run. I have learned that a boat motor, be it an outboard or an I/O, will appear to run and shift perfectly on "the muffs", but put real resistance on it and it will show the truth.

 

[xeddog]

Re: Think About This

Geez. The oil in my pickup starts turning black as I am walking towards the truck to change it. 1999 Ford F-250 SD diesel.

Wayne