88 4.3 OMC dip stick length

CrazyQ

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Mar 4, 2010
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Hi guys. I'm new to iboats and this is my first post. I recently purchased a used boat and was changing the oil yesterday before her first trip out. I could not get to the drain plug so I pumped the old oil through the dipstick tube. I don't know if I got all the oil out but the dip stick did show none when reinserted after pumping. I replaced the filter and poured in four quarts of new oil. After the four quarts the dipstick showed that I was way too full (two inches over the full line). There is a remote oil filter that increases the oil capacity because of the extra lines so I actually added a 5th quart against what the dipstick was telling me. I can't imagine that pumping the oil out left that much oil in the pan so I am wondering if perhaps the dipstick is the wrong one. Should the oil be to the top of the oil pan? I could just measure up the stick if that were the case...Thanks.
 

Bondo

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Apr 17, 2002
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Re: 88 4.3 OMC dip stick length

Should the oil be to the top of the oil pan?

Nope,... The crankshaft will be hiiting the oil...
It should ABOUT 4" in the base...

At this point, I guess I'd believe the dipstick...
 

fishinpa

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Nov 2, 2009
Messages
221
Re: 88 4.3 OMC dip stick length

Have you fired it up (with water to it of course ) and re checked your level ?

5 may be a little over depending on what filter you use and the volume that you have in your hoses

fish
 

CrazyQ

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Re: 88 4.3 OMC dip stick length

I have fired it up after changing the oil (with water). I just rechecked the dipstick and the full line is only 1 5/8 inches up the stick. the oil is at 4 1/2 inches but the motor is tipping forward a whisker so it probably would be at 4 inches if it was sitting level. The filter is full length not a shorty and is installed as a remote filter so there is two oil lines that would hold additional oil (how much I don't know).
 

Lou C

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Nov 10, 2002
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Re: 88 4.3 OMC dip stick length

I'm guessing that you were not able to get all (or most of) the old oil out....I've changed mine each season and the most I ever got out of it was 3 1/2 qts...plus what was in the filter...did you warm up the engine before changing the oil.....if not....I'd suck out the excess and try again...
 

CrazyQ

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Re: 88 4.3 OMC dip stick length

lou c, i noticed in your signature line that you have an 88. I assume the motor is also an 88 4.3 omc in which case could you do my a big favor and measure the oil line on the dip stick or confirm that the full line is only 1 5/8 inches up on the dipstick. Any others with circa 1988 omc cobra it would be appreciated if you could provide input on length of dipstick and how far up the dipstick the full line is. Thanks.
 

havasuboatman

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Mar 5, 2009
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904
Re: 88 4.3 OMC dip stick length

Next time you drain your oil, straighten out a wire hanger and put it down into the dipstick until it hits the bottom of the pan. You will need to blow air into the dipstick tube first to clear any oil in it.
If the wire comes out with more than 1/4 inch or so, your dipstick tube isn't going down far enough. Make sure it's seated at the block or pan completely.
Oh, and your 4.3 litre motor is only supposed to get 4 quarts of oil. 4 1/2 if you change the filter as well.
 

Lou C

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Nov 10, 2002
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12,977
Re: 88 4.3 OMC dip stick length

lou c, i noticed in your signature line that you have an 88. I assume the motor is also an 88 4.3 omc in which case could you do my a big favor and measure the oil line on the dip stick or confirm that the full line is only 1 5/8 inches up on the dipstick. Any others with circa 1988 omc cobra it would be appreciated if you could provide input on length of dipstick and how far up the dipstick the full line is. Thanks.

Yes the full line is 1 5/8ths from the tip of the stick...the total length is 21 1/4 now this is measuring from the little ring at the handle end that fits into the tube to the tip of the stick...
 

CrazyQ

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Re: 88 4.3 OMC dip stick length

Yes the full line is 1 5/8ths from the tip of the stick...the total length is 21 1/4 now this is measuring from the little ring at the handle end that fits into the tube to the tip of the stick...

Thanks Lou...I better get pumping that extra out!
 
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