Replacing oil filter on 4.3 Mrecruiser

[pnypwr5]

I find it amazing that my boat comes with an oil drain hose that comes out of the main drain plug for ease in draining the oil, but they put the oil filter in a place that only a trained professtional or cotortionist can access. Any ideas from others on how they replace oil filter on their 4.3 Mercruisers?

Thank you

Ronnie

 

[Don S]

Re: Replacing oil filter on 4.3 Mrecruiser

Mercruiser makes those engines with remote oil filters, obviously the designer of the boat decided it was not necessary to have access to the oil filter. if you have problems with your filter, think about when the starter goes bad.
Professionals have the same problems you do, they just learn to twist in differeent postions to do the job, or many times I have pulled the engine, to do things like tuneups, starters, raw water pump impellers.
Having no idea how your boat is set up or what it is. I would suggest you look for panels that may be removable, seats that can be removed or who knows what else.

 

[Gary H NC]

Re: Replacing oil filter on 4.3 Mrecruiser

My 2 favorite oil filter wrenches for the 4.3....the socket style that fits the end of the filter or the adjustable strap type with the swivel handle.
If i can get a hand down there the filter is coming off...

 

[pnypwr5]

Re: Replacing oil filter on 4.3 Mrecruiser

It is an 06 Sea Ray-filter is in very back and bottom of engine. I can touch it, that is about it, but going to try it again this weekend and see how I do. I asked the professionals- they say, you get upside down, with someone holding your legs in the air-and that will be 1.5 hours in labor.....for an oil change. It seems the newer the boat-that harder it is to work on. Kind of miss my 89 OMC now-it was a breeze!!

Thanks guys!

 

[Lou C]

Re: Replacing oil filter on 4.3 Mrecruiser

What type of Sea Ray is this we are talking about...on my '88 Four Winns to get at the oil filter I wind up taking out the rear seat and lie down next to the engine after pushing the battery on that side as far back as it can go...I then can get at it with a regular oil filter wrench...I've thought of getting a remote mount since that would make it much easier but I have heard that the fittings on them can sometimes leak (Volvo had a recal on theirs a few years back)...

 

[paulspaddle]

Re: Replacing oil filter on 4.3 Mrecruiser

All depends how its mounted and how much space the boat builder gave you. You can of course change it to a remote mount if desired.

What's a remote mount oil filter?

 

[hoot]

Re: Replacing oil filter on 4.3 Mrecruiser

I think that most boat buyers go by the color, the smell, gas milage promised, shiny paint, etc, and never look at the engine compartment and question how do i get to the filters, plugs, alternator, starter, and they sit on the swim platform and it never crosses their mind, "what if i have to remove the drive for mainterance?" same as when buying a car(without the swim platform of course). Those of us that try to do our own work should lift the lid first.

 

[cr2k]

Re: Replacing oil filter on 4.3 Mrecruiser

Sea Rays seem to be the worst. Had a Volvo water pump. Had to reach the starboard bracket from port side of engine.

4 hour oil changes and water pumps 15 min to change part 2 hours in and 2 hours out of pulling interior and replacing.

"But it only cost $19 for my car and Lube Stop Shop"

Oh yea, that amazing oil drain hose take 2 days if the engine is not warmed up.

 

[pnypwr5]

Re: Replacing oil filter on 4.3 Mrecruiser

Lou C- It is 06 185 sport. I could see how removing back seat and then laying down would get to the filter, I have a bench seat across whole back of engine compartment and dont think that is going to work for me, but I am going to removing things here and there to get to it. I have always worked on my cars and boats and refuse to pay someone to do a simple job like an oil change.

yes, I have dropped the drive for repairs, as well as to change out gear oil and impeller, way easier than an oil change, that is sad! I also have a pump from last boat and will be using that instead of drain hose-seems that it would be easier and more effective!

I do appreciate all of the input, you all are great all the time...

 

[paulspaddle]

Re: Replacing oil filter on 4.3 Mrecruiser

Here is one for a reasonable price. (lots of them out there.)

http://advanceadapters.com/product/2517/(P/N-716085)-GM-4.3L-V6-Remote-Oil-Filter-Kit.html

Don S. hinted at the issue, the boat manufacture could have installed it from the factory, but they were able to save a couple bucks so they didn't.

Thanks Bubba, I have to admit that sometimes I respond a forum like a 'chat room' when I'm fully capable to google it. (which I did right after I wrote that) The one's I found were all over $200, thanks for the link.

 

[pnypwr5]

Re: Replacing oil filter on 4.3 Mrecruiser

Here is one for a reasonable price. (lots of them out there.)

http://advanceadapters.com/product/2517/(P/N-716085)-GM-4.3L-V6-Remote-Oil-Filter-Kit.html

Don S. hinted at the issue, the boat manufacture could have installed it from the factory, but they were able to save a couple bucks so they didn't.

Bubba-do you know much about this remote filter_ I have looked at "marine" ones and they are over 300 bucks, but the car ones are way cheaper. Is this something that I could use on my boat? The price has always deterred me, but this I would pay for.

Thanks,

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Replacing oil filter on 4.3 Mrecruiser

As long as they don't crack and/or leak. Sometimes the more expensive part becomes a lot cheaper if the lower quality part fails.

 

[z284u2try]

Re: Replacing oil filter on 4.3 Mrecruiser

Man I don't know about that remote kit. Never really like the idea of barb fittings. I would think it would be fine but it would be something I would check the first few times out after the remote filter swap.

As for the oil filter do you have any little ones around to snake up to the filter

 

[pnypwr5]

Re: Replacing oil filter on 4.3 Mrecruiser

Man I don't know about that remote kit. Never really like the idea of barb fittings. I would think it would be fine but it would be something I would check the first few times out after the remote filter swap.

As for the oil filter do you have any little ones around to snake up to the filter

That is funny about the little ones, i have tried to get my neighbors son(13) to let me hold him upside down, while he takes off the filter!! Sounds like a god plan to me.

 

[45Auto]

Re: Replacing oil filter on 4.3 Mrecruiser

I have looked at "marine" ones and they are over 300 bucks, but the car ones are way cheaper. Is this something that I could use on my boat?

There's a reason the marine ones cost more. Compare the hoses. Same reason there's a difference between automotive fuel line and marine fuel line.

The cheaper one will fit your boat with no problem, be sure to let us know how much you "saved" the first time you have to replace the engine.

Couldn't find the Advance Adapter instructions on line, but here's the ones that come with the identical Mr. Gasket kit. Noticed what I've circled in red:

 

[pnypwr5]

Re: Replacing oil filter on 4.3 Mrecruiser

So do you have any suggestions for a good marine one, or know of any that others have used that are worthy?

 

[Don S]

Re: Replacing oil filter on 4.3 Mrecruiser

There is a huge difference between those cheap automotive ones and the marine ones used by Merc and Volvo.
I have pulled the automotive ones off of boats several times and went back to the filter. All were cracked.

One other note, you will have to pull the engine to install any kind of remote filter. If you can't get to the filter, there is no way you could get there to install hoses and adapter onto the filter boss.

 

[Lou C]

Re: Replacing oil filter on 4.3 Mrecruiser

Lou C- It is 06 185 sport. I could see how removing back seat and then laying down would get to the filter, I have a bench seat across whole back of engine compartment and dont think that is going to work for me, but I am going to removing things here and there to get to it. I have always worked on my cars and boats and refuse to pay someone to do a simple job like an oil change.

yes, I have dropped the drive for repairs, as well as to change out gear oil and impeller, way easier than an oil change, that is sad! I also have a pump from last boat and will be using that instead of drain hose-seems that it would be easier and more effective!

I do appreciate all of the input, you all are great all the time...

Here's what I love about my old 88 FW...NO molded in fiberglass around the rear of the engine that's part of the top cap...when I re-did the deck and interior...I made it so the rear seats were easy to remove...I side em foward with the bulkhead for the engine bay and I have this room to work in....

and for sure I'd use a proper Marine one...either the Merc or Volvo depending on the engine you have because some mount to the ex manifold with a bracket...I might take a look at a Merc one and see if it can be adapted to my OMC engine by mounting the filter bracket on a bulkhead in the engine compartment....

I always look at servicablilty when I buy vehicles but boat builders do not make it easy...some are really easy but I notice with the smaller bowriders esp with the molded in jump seats on either side of the engine the engine access to things like the steering components and starter is a real nightmare...enough to make me buy an OB!!

Even on my vehicles...my rule is if I can't get at the oil filter and drain plug without dislocating a shoulder then I don't buy it...when it was time to get a newer Jeep the first thing I looked at on the HEMI V-8 is where the oil filter is...right up front not bad at all...not as easy as the one on my 98 4.0 six but still not bad...I LOVE inline 6s for engine accessability and wish you could still get one...like the Chevy 250 cu in of years gone by...

 

[45Auto]

Re: Replacing oil filter on 4.3 Mrecruiser

I don't think there is a dimes difference other than anything labled marine has a 2x or 3x cost and some black paint.

Do you see those nice brass fittings in the automotive kit? Do you know the difference between regular brass and naval brass? Bet those fittings aren't naval brass (or bronze) - see what happens to them after awhile right where the barb joins the fitting base in a marine (especially sea water) environment ..... hope you're keeping a close eye on your oil pressure!

Go look at some pictures of the marine kits and see if you notice any difference.

Here's another hint: Common brass is 37% zinc with NO tin - you're screwing those brass barbs into an aluminum fitting - do you know what happens to your zinc annodes that are bolted to your aluminum outdrive on your boat?

You may also be interested in learning about "selective leaching":

Selective leaching, also called dealloying, demetalification, parting and selective corrosion, is a corrosion type in some solid solution alloys, when in suitable conditions a component of the alloys is preferentially leached from the material. The less noble metal is removed from the alloy by microscopic-scale galvanic corrosion mechanism. The most susceptible alloys are the ones containing metals with high distance between each other in the galvanic series, eg. copper and zinc in brass.

Sometimes you get what you pay for ......

 

[Juniinc]

Re: Replacing oil filter on 4.3 Mrecruiser

just about have to remove everything to work on one of these,,,

My current Four Winns Cuddy Restoration,,,
http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=374684