Not really a SHT, but close...
So on a merc 175 v6 powerhead, the oil supply tank is pressurized via a check valve from the engine. Important to keep in mind!
I was on my way to the ramp to load up, so I park at the beach, go get the vehicle, and back in. Hop back into the boat and start her up. She is smoking, and not just the normal 2 stroke amount, this is like the gates of hades itself have opened up smoke! 4th of july smoke bombs would have been proud. HUGE billowing clouds, more than I thought any engine could ever make.
So anyway, I quickly get loaded and out of there, trying to ignore the dirty looks from all the people that USED to be sun bathing/swimming/fishing around the ramp. (hey, they shouldn't be there anyway!) Get home, pop open the engine compartment expecting to probably have to do a compression test to find a dead cylinder, but what do i find?
The oil storage tank, which normally lives on a little shelf and held in place by a rubber cord, was now laying upside down on the bottom of the hull. A big wake must have jarred it loose. And apparently when it is upside down, the engine can REALLY pressurize it! It sounded like an overheated pop bottle when i opened it up!
No damage, ran it yesterday and after the initial cloud of smoke from having cylinders full of oil, it ran perfectly.
I'm starting to debate with myself if I need a selectable oil system just for this purpose. It did an amazing job of clearing out all the swimmers and fisherman on the ramp, I think it might be useful more often!
So on a merc 175 v6 powerhead, the oil supply tank is pressurized via a check valve from the engine. Important to keep in mind!
I was on my way to the ramp to load up, so I park at the beach, go get the vehicle, and back in. Hop back into the boat and start her up. She is smoking, and not just the normal 2 stroke amount, this is like the gates of hades itself have opened up smoke! 4th of july smoke bombs would have been proud. HUGE billowing clouds, more than I thought any engine could ever make.
So anyway, I quickly get loaded and out of there, trying to ignore the dirty looks from all the people that USED to be sun bathing/swimming/fishing around the ramp. (hey, they shouldn't be there anyway!) Get home, pop open the engine compartment expecting to probably have to do a compression test to find a dead cylinder, but what do i find?
The oil storage tank, which normally lives on a little shelf and held in place by a rubber cord, was now laying upside down on the bottom of the hull. A big wake must have jarred it loose. And apparently when it is upside down, the engine can REALLY pressurize it! It sounded like an overheated pop bottle when i opened it up!
No damage, ran it yesterday and after the initial cloud of smoke from having cylinders full of oil, it ran perfectly.
I'm starting to debate with myself if I need a selectable oil system just for this purpose. It did an amazing job of clearing out all the swimmers and fisherman on the ramp, I think it might be useful more often!
