What kind of oil do I use in Merc 140 1978? And...oil is cloudy

[Mikecouil]

I have a 1978 Mercruiser Merc 140 inboard/outboard engine and I can't find a sticker on it telling me what kind of oil to use. Can I just dump in 5w30 and call it good?

This is the firt time I've had it out of the polebarn and the first time I have changed the oil. It's coming out very milky/cloudy, which I understand means it has water in it. It's VERY cloudy. Could this all be condensation and what not or do I have a pretty big problem on my hands?

Thanks in advance.

 

[jerryjerry05]

Re: What kind of oil do I use in Merc 140 1978? And...oil is cloudy

If it's that bad condensation is probably not your problem.If it sat uncovered it could be rain water working it's way thru the carb.
Covered?? Then you could have many problems.
Drain it and fill. 5-30 is ok.Change filter too. Run it and see if it happens again. Then let us know.Jerry

 

[Mikecouil]

Re: What kind of oil do I use in Merc 140 1978? And...oil is cloudy

If it's that bad condensation is probably not your problem.If it sat uncovered it could be rain water working it's way thru the carb.
Covered?? Then you could have many problems.
Drain it and fill. 5-30 is ok.Change filter too. Run it and see if it happens again. Then let us know.Jerry

It sat uncovered. It has had many other problems due to it sitting so I'm rooting for that to be the issue here.

I changed the oil and I'm going to take it out today. The biggest problem has been trying to get the oil out. It's a ridiculous set up to change the oil in this thing. 9.50 for a filter...ouch.

 

[HT32BSX115]

Re: What kind of oil do I use in Merc 140 1978? And...oil is cloudy

Just go buy one of these
and it will be ridiculously easy!

It probably takes me about 5 min to suck all the oil out of my 454, cold or hot!

(I'm not gonna suggest what kind of oil I'd use....I swore I wouldn't do that anymore!!!)

 

[bhammer]

Re: What kind of oil do I use in Merc 140 1978? And...oil is cloudy

(I'm not gonna suggest what kind of oil I'd use....I swore I wouldn't do that anymore!!!)

Oh come on.. It's been a couple days since we have had a good debate over oil.


Once you get it running, let us know how the oil turns out and we can go from there.

 

[Glastron78]

Re: What kind of oil do I use in Merc 140 1978? And...oil is cloudy

Hey I bought a drill actuated pump from Canadian tire for about $12 takes a bit of fooling around to get the right size hose for dipstick tube but works very well when oil is warm!!!!!

 

[Fishermark]

Re: What kind of oil do I use in Merc 140 1978? And...oil is cloudy

The oil isn't going to turn milky from sitting with condensation. It has to run and be mixed up with water to turn milky. Doesn't sound good. After changing the oil, run it and see if it turns milky again.

 

[HT32BSX115]

Re: What kind of oil do I use in Merc 140 1978? And...oil is cloudy

True.

But you still have to come up with a hose and a container and deal with the drips etc...

That Moeller or similar unit is completely self contained. and it even has a handle for easy transport.

(I transport it right across the floor to my waste oil furnace! 1 oil change=2hrs of free heat for my shop!!!)