10 out = 6 in?

[skibeau]

Hey Y'all
Just changed the engine oil with the oil quick change hose per page 11 of the Epic 21/22/X22 Winterizing Procedure (great publication).  I got nearly 10 quarts of black used oil out (2 milk gallon jugs and 1.75 quart oil jugs) and put back 6 quarts of Mobil 1 Extended Performance 5W-30 motor oil with Derek's recommended Mobil 1 M1-301 oil filter. However, I'm wondering if I really know how to use a dip stick!  Has anybody else experienced anything else like this? 

Initially I thought there may be some kind of seal leak pulling transmission fluid in, but it seems to be full.  Is it possible for the engine to run fine with that much extra oil and not burn the plugs?  I just pulled all of them and checked them when I  sprayed the fogging marine oil into each cylinder.  I did notice it running a little rich the last time out and the gallons/hour have increased from about 2.78 to  3.15. Any suggestions/ideas/theories/etc. will be most welcome.

[breakawaydaze]

4 quarts of extra oil is too much!  What was the consistency of the oil?  Did it look like oil but only dirty?  Was it milky or  runny, did it seem discolored or really thin?  All I can imagine is best case scenario someone just put too much oil in, or worst case, there is leakage from the cooling galleries and water is mixing with the oil.  Another problem could be that the boat is running way too rich and there is some risk that there is fuel in your oil.   If you still have any of the old oil you can take it to a technician for their opinion or you can send a sample to:

http://www.blackstone-labs.com/lemonaide.html


They will do an analysis and let you know what is in your oil for about 80.00.  They check for water, oil, anti freeze and metal particles along with other things. There are plenty of other places that will probably do an analysis for less.  Check online and pick the one you like best to do the analysis.  Have you changed or added oil since you purchased the boat?  It could be the previous owner just overfilled it.  Good luck and keep us posted, we need you at this years roundup!

[skibeau]

Thanks, I'll look into oil analysis.

The dealer we bought it from said they changed all oils.

We'll let you know something when we find out.

[skibeau]

The oil analysis came back showing only motor oil eventhough it had a strong smell of gasoline with it.  I'm going to look into it farther.

[lilfoo2225]

was someone pushing on the primer button alot? 

[skibeau]

Breakawaydaze

Thanks for your questions.

The oil was dark brown in color, not milky or particularly runny.  I checked the oil every time we go out, but have not added any.

Blanchard Catepillar in Columbia, SC ran the gasoline engine oil analysis for $14.78.  They mailed the sample to Cary, NC, who e-mailed the results to Blanchard, who mailed me a print out of the results.

The viscosity of 5W-30@100C is supposed to be 9.3 - 12.4 centistokes, but it measured at 8.5; which is a little low.  The splatter test on the oil resulted in a gas reading of negative.  If you're like me wondering what a splatter test is, sounds like they slung some oil on a hot plate around the flash point that reads 4% or more fuel in the oil if it ignites spontaneously.  A little gas in the oil would reduce the viscosity, but 3.75 quarts extra would mean 60% more fuel mixed in the oil.  If I read between the lines correctly, it appears someone added way too much oil to the crankcase, but I also have a fuel problem because the smell was noticed by me, my wife and the Catepillar technician.  I'm trying to get Dick Dyer to check the fuel system and possibly clean the injectors.  There may be unstabilized fuel or gooped-up ethanol clogging the injectors.

The Silicon reading of 74 ppm explains the dirty looking oil.  There is some wear on the crankshaft and camshaft since the Iron was high at 145 ppm.  There appears to be a little wear on the bearings since Copper was high at 25 ppm and Lead was high at 12 ppm.

On the good side, Water and Antifreeze were both negative.  Soot was also at 0 particle counts/ml.

All this to say that the oil was way dirty and full!

If ethanol is a problem, what do y'all think about this product?

http://www.amazon.com/Gold-Eagle-32OZMarine-Fuel-Sta-Bil/dp/B000UJEA1Q/ref=sr_1_9?ie=UTF8&s=automotive&qid=1231470985&sr=8-9

Going to the 2009 roundup would be a real motivator to meet the hardcore Epicmarine Forum Legends Guys with thousands of pertinent, timely, applicable, useful, helpful and most times courteous posts.  However, I also have to balance a couple of minor details like having a job and being able to get some time off.  With this crazy economy I sure don't know what's going to happen.  I'm just going to hope for the Legendary best!

[Capt Rick]

The Lexus engine does not have an o2 sensor and does not have a cat to burn the unburned fuel that a car has. I have injector available if you find that the old ones are dripping.
First I would change the plugs every year . Too much oil will aerate the oil and cause metal to be found in the oil.
Capt Rick

[Rambling Wreck]

Skibeau, I use the Marine Stabil and haven't had any issues. You can find it at most Wal-Marts that are near water. It will be in the auto section in the aisle with marine oil. That cardboard sleeve around the bottle will prevent you from just looking for the blue color but it will be there. It is actually cheaper to use than the regular Stabil.

You may want to run a can of Seafoam though the fuel system to clean it up a little. I researched the topic some last summer and decided to try it on an outboard engine with about 500 hours on it. That engine sometimes idled rough and ocasionally would cut off when I backed off from full throttle. Many folks had suggested giving it some time to work, i.e. dissolve the build up of goop and carbon. Sure enough, on the third day, I was runing about 3/4 throttle and it started spitting and sputtering - very rough for a few seconds. The same thing happned once more before I got back to the dock. The darn thing ran smooth as glass after that. I could not believe what a difference it made. I then ran a can in the Epic. Not as profouljnd a difference - never that spitting and sputtering moment but possible slight improvement. I think my Epic runs slightly rich as the exhaust definitely smells like unburned gas and I can never get the gph everyone else gets. However, I like to scoot around the lake. I mostly take it out when the water is glassy so it is rare that I run it at less than 3500+ rpm. Maybe that accounts for some of the lower gph...

[lilfoo2225]

capt. rick is right. so when your going slow you smell more gas or in mechanics terms hydro carbons. HC. wich is unburned fuel and is measured in ppm. parts per million. older cars carburated or non catalyst cars will have more. the EPA. does not like this. ever stood behind a 70s v8? same smell. all in all it does sound like they just put way to much oil in the motor. keep us posted! good luck! 

[sailtl]

My 2 cents worth on this is put in NEW spark plugs in the spring. I had gas smell in my oil also and new plugs really cut it back.

[lilfoo2225]

i concur!!

[skibeau]

Thanks all!  Quite helpful.