duped
Petty Officer 1st Class
- Joined
- Aug 26, 2009
- Messages
- 307
Hello. I have an 1986 Sea Ray with a Merc 230 ( 305 chevy, quadrajet ). The past three trips with it, I noticed the oil level creeping up very very slightly on the dipstick when I would check before the trip. It was so slight, I thought either temperature change, or condensation may be at fault, and decided to just keep an eye on things. The oil was clean, clear honey brown, as it should have been. Just a little higher than normal. Not any normal person would even notice except me. I thought I might have just been crazy.
Well yesterday, I decided to take one last trip before winterizing. Once again, after the trip the oil level looked higher, and was starting to have a cloudy look. So today I changed the oil, and it had a VERY strong odor of gasoline to it, and a slightly runnier texture.
Now with past experience of water in oil in my old boat, water gives oil a frothy grey look, makes it stink, and usually when you are draining it ( i always do by the pan, BTW ) you can see some water separated from the oil as it flows. This oil I drained today is still brown... just really doesnt scream water intrusion. Also, I should mention I always drain the block/mani's after every trip once the threat of frost arises. We also havent even had a frost yet! I am pretty certain from the smell/ looks that there is gas getting in the oil. Here is a photograph of the filter to judge for yourself.
Many would say gas in oil indicates running rich. When I fogged it today, cylinders #2 and #8 were slightly wet, the rest golden brown, not black or fouled. AND...!
The thing that throws me is that the boat runs absolutely fantastic. Perfect! Starts easily, doesn't smoke, doesn't leak fluids, and doesn't use a drop of oil. Idles smooth at around 700-800 RPM, and revs out great without stumbling or hesitation.
( I should also mention I primarily troll for salmon/trout on this boat, so it spends about 95% of its time at idle, or just above depending on currents. Even when we are traveling in or out, I get it going just quick enough to plane out. People have said extending idling will let gas and even water into the oil. But why does it run great, the plugs arent fouled, and we trolled all season without issue till now. )
So where would you start, experts?
Well yesterday, I decided to take one last trip before winterizing. Once again, after the trip the oil level looked higher, and was starting to have a cloudy look. So today I changed the oil, and it had a VERY strong odor of gasoline to it, and a slightly runnier texture.
Now with past experience of water in oil in my old boat, water gives oil a frothy grey look, makes it stink, and usually when you are draining it ( i always do by the pan, BTW ) you can see some water separated from the oil as it flows. This oil I drained today is still brown... just really doesnt scream water intrusion. Also, I should mention I always drain the block/mani's after every trip once the threat of frost arises. We also havent even had a frost yet! I am pretty certain from the smell/ looks that there is gas getting in the oil. Here is a photograph of the filter to judge for yourself.
Many would say gas in oil indicates running rich. When I fogged it today, cylinders #2 and #8 were slightly wet, the rest golden brown, not black or fouled. AND...!
The thing that throws me is that the boat runs absolutely fantastic. Perfect! Starts easily, doesn't smoke, doesn't leak fluids, and doesn't use a drop of oil. Idles smooth at around 700-800 RPM, and revs out great without stumbling or hesitation.
( I should also mention I primarily troll for salmon/trout on this boat, so it spends about 95% of its time at idle, or just above depending on currents. Even when we are traveling in or out, I get it going just quick enough to plane out. People have said extending idling will let gas and even water into the oil. But why does it run great, the plugs arent fouled, and we trolled all season without issue till now. )
So where would you start, experts?
