3.0 mercruiser oil leak estimate?????

[1997maxum]

Hello,
Just got a 97 Maxum bowrider 17 foot,3.0 LX Alpha One Mercruiser,Engine s/n 0k037437,Transom 0k140277
Drive 0k079226.This boat had a lot of work done a couple of years ago,water pump,timing cover,
oil pan gasket,gimbal bearing, bellows and lower shift cable.Anyway...appears to be leaking oil
down the cover behind the oil pan,so maybe the rear main seal????The boat runs great and is in
good shape so I am willing to spend some cash to get it fixed,what would be a ballpark estimate
to pull the engine and replace seal?Does the outdrive have to come off when the engine is pulled?
Just wanted to get a ballpark estimate for number of hours before I start looking for a shop.
Also anyone know a good shop or guy anywhere in the DC area to the Md. Eastern shore as my
son lives near Ocean City.This appears to be the only thing wrong at this time, motor runs great.
If it was a small leak I would put up with it but it appears to be getting worse.Thanks for the
input,wish I woulda got a V8....but...Mo money, more gas,more fun....Thanks

 

[Pete104]

Re: 3.0 mercruiser oil leak estimate?????

Since there are members thru out the world here, I don't think you should expect a very accurate "estimate". You would be best off talking to some other boaters & get their recomendations on a service facility.

 

[Don S]

Re: 3.0 mercruiser oil leak estimate?????

Get estimates from your local boat shops. I see estimates here all the time that have nothing to do with reality. Seen to many 3.0L engines boxed in by the hull design and engine compartment design to know that removal could be anything from a half hour to half a day, and going back in is more, and the engine repair may not be what you think it is.
These forums are for help to do the job yourself, not estimate jobs for people.

 

[littlebookworm]

Re: 3.0 mercruiser oil leak estimate?????

Follow Don's advice. there's a reason he's the Oracle. Yes, the drive has to come out first, but that's no big deal. With an Alpha drive, put the shift lever all the way forward; remove the nuts securing the lift pistons; remove the six nuts around the perimeter; and pull the drive. Pulling the engine could be quick and easy or a real chore. It all depends on the room the builder allowed around the engine. Get an engine manual for your engine and you'll get an idea of what's involved. Look at your engine bay to get an idea of clearances. Ask at least two shops for estimates, making sure they include all the possible extra, such as manifolds, gaskets, motor mounts, hoses, etc. Hope this helps. Hy

 

[1997maxum]

Re: 3.0 mercruiser oil leak estimate?????

Follow Don's advice. there's a reason he's the Oracle. Yes, the drive has to come out first, but that's no big deal. With an Alpha drive, put the shift lever all the way forward; remove the nuts securing the lift pistons; remove the six nuts around the perimeter; and pull the drive. Pulling the engine could be quick and easy or a real chore. It all depends on the room the builder allowed around the engine. Get an engine manual for your engine and you'll get an idea of what's involved. Look at your engine bay to get an idea of clearances. Ask at least two shops for estimates, making sure they include all the possible extra, such as manifolds, gaskets, motor mounts, hoses, etc. Hope this helps. Hy

Thanks Hy, I am going to try to contact the shop that worked on it before,The engine is pretty
wide open,hoping to get this leak cured as the motor purrs like a kitten,I can do a lot of normal maintenance to the
boat but this is a little past my comfort zone.Thanks, Steve

 

[mark1905]

Re: 3.0 mercruiser oil leak estimate?????

How much "past your comfort zone" is it? $600? $1000? $2000? $3000?

Everything has a price. Bare minimum for having a shop pull and re-install the motor is at least $600 in just labor.. not to mention parts.. and that's if they do nothing more that take it out and put it back in. You're probably looking at around a $1000 job minimum.


How sure are you of where the oil is leaking from? Are you sure that it's not from the back of the valve cover gasket? When you're running up on a plane and the boat is tilted back, oil can puddle in the back of the valve cover and if it's going to leak.. it will many times leak from there. Are you sure that it's not coming up and out of your valve cover breather hose by the spark arrestor and running down the top the engine and down? A 1997 3.0 could have some blow-by or other issues at this stage. Valve cover gaskets are about $10 and if it's blow by.. then most likely it's re-power time in the near future.. a solid $3000-$4000+ job.

I would recommend covering all of your electrical items (coil, alternator, etc) tightly with plastic grocery bags and completely de-greasing the engine as best possible.. and trying to pinpoint the leak. There's a good chance that it's not what you think it is and that you may be able to diagnose and possibly fix it yourself. At very worse, you spend $5 and an hour to have a clean engine.

 

[1997maxum]

Re: 3.0 mercruiser oil leak estimate?????

How much "past your comfort zone" is it? $600? $1000? $2000? $3000?

Everything has a price. Bare minimum for having a shop pull and re-install the motor is at least $600 in just labor.. not to mention parts.. and that's if they do nothing more that take it out and put it back in. You're probably looking at around a $1000 job minimum.


How sure are you of where the oil is leaking from? Are you sure that it's not from the back of the valve cover gasket? When you're running up on a plane and the boat is tilted back, oil can puddle in the back of the valve cover and if it's going to leak.. it will many times leak from there. Are you sure that it's not coming up and out of your valve cover breather hose by the spark arrestor and running down the top the engine and down? A 1997 3.0 could have some blow-by or other issues at this stage. Valve cover gaskets are about $10 and if it's blow by.. then most likely it's re-power time in the near future.. a solid $3000-$4000+ job.

I would recommend covering all of your electrical items (coil, alternator, etc) tightly with plastic grocery bags and completely de-greasing the engine as best possible.. and trying to pinpoint the leak. There's a good chance that it's not what you think it is and that you may be able to diagnose and possibly fix it yourself. At very worse, you spend $5 and an hour to have a clean engine.

Great stuff Mark.I will look a little harder tomorrow.Perhaps I was a little hasty seeing a drip behind the oil pan.
I will clean the motor better and see what I can.Thanks for the info.Very helpful.Steve