Oil change question

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Kronoss

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Mercruiser 5.7 Liter 350.

I took "most" of the oil out using a junky walmart oil pump, pumped it till none came out anymore.
But it felt like only 2 quarts came out of the engine.

I added 4 quarts of straight 30W oil, and now the oil level shows full on the dipstick, while on trailer.

Should I take the reading while the boat on the trailer, or in the water, if over the full marker while in the water, should i take some of the oil out of the engine?

Thanks
 

Lyle29464

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Re: Oil change question

Just adjust the trailer till the boat is on its lines and check the oil after you have ran it a minute or so. If I was a quart over I would remove the excess.
 

littlebookworm

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Re: Oil change question

Level the trailer, then check. Remove excess. If you want to warm the engine first, remember to connect the muffs or you'll burn up the impeller. Hy
 

Eyeman

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Re: Oil change question

Level the trailer, then check. Remove excess. If you want to warm the engine first, remember to connect the muffs or you'll burn up the impeller. Hy

A little help with this one. "Level the trailer" does this mean the trailer frame? The engine is not mounted level to the frame, so I'm still confused. To get the boat "on its lines" does this mean; as if it were floating? Sorry to be dense, I just want to do it right. Thanks.
 

Bondo

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Re: Oil change question

To get the boat "on its lines" does this mean; as if it were floating?

Yes, sitting at it's Normal running attitude...
 

ziggy

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Re: Oil change question

sitting at it's Normal running attitude...
which i'd venture a guess is not level....
i like to check mine at the lake. at home i jack up the ft. to simulate being splashed...

if over full. for sure. siphon some back out. over full i understand to be worse than a shade low..
 

Don S

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Re: Oil change question

Mercruiser 5.7 Liter 350.

Since there as been several different methods used on the 5.7 engines, it would help to know the year or better yet the model and serial number of your engine. Without that, info is just general and may not be specifict to your particular engine.
 

mkast

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Re: Oil change question

From Mercruiser Maintenance Manual #2 page1C-3
Maintaining Oil Level
When checking oil levels, the engine should be warm, the boat must be at rest in the water, the dipstick pushed down to the stop, and sufficient time (approximately 5 minutes) must be allowed for oil to drain back from the upper engine cavities to the pan, or a false reading may be obtained.
 

Don S

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Re: Oil change question

From Mercruiser Maintenance Manual #2 page1C-3
Maintaining Oil Level

How do you know he needs manual #2 ?????
 

mkast

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Re: Oil change question

How do you know he needs manual #2 ?????

It's an example.
The Mercruiser manuals I've looked in stated the same routine, four cylinder, six an eight.
In the water, at rest etc.
If the hull is on a trailer, approximate the the level of the trailer to mimic the hull in the water.
 

LilRedNeckGirl

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Re: Oil change question

Draining oil "Redneckgirl" Style.
1] Locate shop vac.
2] Fill 3/4 full of saw dust.
3] Duct tape suction hose to oil drain tube.
4] Remove oil fill cap to allow air to enter engine.
5] Plug in and turn on shop vac .
6] Grab a ice cold sweet tea, turn on radio, set back for 5 minutes or so.

Oil pan sump should be bout bone dry by that point. be sure to remove & Replace oil filter. the oil soaked shavings make great camp fire starter. best results are with a warm engine.
 

dockwrecker

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Re: Oil change question

^^^^Now that's funny right there! Yuck! Is this a dedicated shop vac for this task? I have little doubt it works but....:facepalm::facepalm::D
 

ziggy

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Re: Oil change question

i dunno, sounds like it could possibly be dangerous to me. if the elec. vac. ever came into contact with some fuel fumes... could be kaboom. add some nice saw dust in for effect... :eek:
 

Bondo

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Re: Oil change question

Ayuh,...That's Funny alright,...

Like Ziggy says, it could get Excitin' if the fuel pump had leaked....
 

Augoose

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Re: Oil change question

I use an old shallow drip pan that is short enough to fit beneath the engine and about 6' of 1" tube. Run the tube out the drain hole in the transom and into a permanent container.

I would also imagine that adjusting the boat / trailer so that the engine is level would suffice in getting a good reading. With all the different kinds of boats and arrangements of engine mounts out there, I would think a manufacturer would set the dipstick to provide an accurate reading while the engine itself is level because the good folks at Mercruiser and everywhere else can't control where their engines will end up. At least with the engine level, you have common ground.

If you engine is over filled with oil, you can get foaming as a result of the "slapping" from the crankshaft. In this case, "more oil is not better".
 

LilRedNeckGirl

Petty Officer 2nd Class
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Re: Oil change question

yes, the shop vac thing,,,,, it was just posted to give a lil chuckle. we drain into a shallow pan, then dispose of the used oil properly at a recycle station.
 
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