How much oil in 4.3l mercruiser?? please help

[poconojoe]

Hey, maybe the oil pan was changed to one with more capacity?

 

[Bt Doctur]

just noticed it too, the one on the right ,thinking it should be 24 -13/16

 

[Bt Doctur]

does the dipstick go into the block or the oil pan?

 

[Fun Times]

MerCruiser Gas Engine Oil Capacity

MCM 185 (4 bbl)	GM	229/3.8L	V-6	1983 -1984	6330183 - 6919655	4-1/2 US qt (4.3 L)
MCM 175/185/205	GM	262/4.3L	V-6	1985 -1987	0A331455 - 08773242	4-1/2 US qt (4.3 L)
MCM 262 Mag EFI	GM	262/4.3L	V-6	1996 -1997	0F803800 - 0K999999	4-1/2 US qt (4.3 L)
MCM 4.3ULX/LH/LXH	GM	262/4.3L	V-6	1988 - 2001	08773243 - 0M299999	4-1/2 US qt (4.3 L)
MCM 4.3L EFI	GM	262/4.3L	V-6	1998 - 2001	OL012009 - 0M299999	4-1/2 US qt (4.3 L)
MCM 4.3L & MPI	GM	262/4.3L	V-6	2002 - 2016	0M300000 and up	4 US qt (3.8 L)

 

[Grub54891]

I did see one at one time that had 4-5 quarts to much, the owner thought it was low so kept adding and saw nothing on the stick. When I checked it out, the oil was there, but so darn clean, it was hard to see.

 

[thumpar]

I have had the 4.3l in a 1988, 1994 and 1997 vans and they all took right about 4.5qts. It has to be a dipstick problem.

 

[Bondo]

I thought adding too much oil was bad for an engine.

Ayuh,..... To much oil is worse than not enough,.....

The crank will beat it silly, 'n blow the seals out,....

Quite a few years ago, my ole lady had a Jeep that used oil,....
I'd give her gallon jugs filled outa a drum,....
Told her to check it, 'n keep it full, til she could replace the truck,.....

In a short time there was a huge oil stain in the driveway,.....
I asked her how much it was usin', 'n how often she was addin' oil,....
She replys, "I dump some in everyday",.....
I ask, but have ya checked it,....
"Nope, just dump more in",....
I went out, 'n checked it, it was Full, to the top of the stick, over 2 gallons in a 4 quart base,.......

I drained it, 'n filled it proper,.... it didn't quit leakin', but it was awhole lot Better,......
Had alot more power she said too,.....

 

[fontenot41]

Ok, just got home and measured mine.
From where that yellow rubber seats on the tube to the very end is 20-1/8" .
My 4.3L is a 2003 model serial # OM643729.
Oh, mine is the one on the right in the picture from BT.

That's how long mine is and my dip stick looks like the one on the right on the picture. I wonder why yours is 20" and reaches the oil but yet my 2005 doesn't. The picture shows it should be 27.5"

 

[fontenot41]

I ordered a new dip stick so I will see when i get it sometime next week. But I plan on running the boat this weekend. So i measured a wire 27.5" and ran it down the dip stick hole and if my measures are right is about 2" to high with 5 qts in engine. So I'm thinking the stick should be 27.5" and not 20" like the one I have now...

 

[fontenot41]

does the dipstick go into the block or the oil pan?

Oil pan

 

[Bt Doctur]

the length should be the same no matter in the block or in the pan, sounds about right

 

[fontenot41]

One guy said his is 20" (same as mine) but the service manual picture you posted shows it should be 27.5". How long do u think it should be?

 

[MRS]

with oil change and filter 4.3 4.5 quarts should do it.

 

[fontenot41]

Ok well I ordered a new dip stick so hopefully it's 27.5" and not 20" like the one I have and it will clear the confusion...

 

[fontenot41]

If its the wrong dip stick, I just hope there's no damage from previous owner running about 7 qts in it!

 

[fontenot41]

New dip stick came in and it's 29 1/4 Long. The service book says it should be 27 1/2 long. BUT with the new dip stick it is reading about 5" to high.. what the hell!!! Can someone please help me! And I have 4.5 qts in engine.

 

[fontenot41]

If I try to run the new dip stick along the outside of oil dip stick tube it seems like it would go almost to bottom of oil pan..it just doesn't make sense at all

 

[fontenot41]

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[fontenot41]

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[fontenot41]

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