351 with wrong dipstick?

[JamesE]

I recently bought a 1989 Martinique with a PCM 351 and just changed the oil. I did a full oil and filter change. Yet I added 4 1/8 quarts and then ran it and was expecting to add more oil after it flowed through the filter. But even after running it when I checked the oil it actually showed slightly overfilled. Based on my reading it seems like this engine should take around 5 quarts. Why would this engine take so little oil? I touched the oil filter while the engine was running and it was warm to the touch so the oil is circulating. The only thing I can think of is that the dipstick was replaced at one point with the wrong one. Is there any way to make sure I have the right dipstick? Any other ideas of what would cause it to only accept 4 1/8 quarts? By the way it has a quick drain oil kit if that makes a difference. And I made sure that all the old oil was drained before refilling it. Thanks in advance for the help.
-James

[mf01]

RE: 351 with wrong dipstick?

My PCM 351W uses 4 1/2 quarts to the middle of the dipstick. Is the boat on level ground?

[campbelljo]

RE: 351 with wrong dipstick?

I thought the same thing on my 351. When i read the oil checking procedure in the manual and did what it said it read correctly. First off i made sure i had all the old oil out by attaching a hand pump to my drain tube after it had finished draining. Then remove the old filter, fill the new filter with oil and install. Add four quarts of oil. Put the boat in the water start it and get it up to temp. Turn the boat off wait one minute and check the level. If you do this procedure you will have a little shy of five quarts in the motor and it will read withing proper operating range on your dipstick. If you read the level cold and not in the water it will appear you have too much oil.

[east tx skier]

RE: 351 with wrong dipstick?

There were some Mastercrafts in the early 90s that had the wrong dipstick from the factory. When I had a 93 MC, I confirmed with the dealer that the correct dipstick was Part No. D5UE 6750 AF Ford M. This was the same part on the 351 and 351 HO motors.

[DanielC]

RE: 351 with wrong dipstick?

Does the engine in the boat sit fairly level? Most modern Nautiques with the 1.23 to 1 transmission the engine sits level because the transmission has about a 9 degree angle built in it, and the propshaft is not in line with the engines crankshaft, it is below it.
The Martinique may also have a different oil pan on it.
On any engine, in anything with a wet sump, if the oil pump pickup goes dry, or starts sucking air , the oil level is too low. If the oil level is too high, the crankshaft spins into the oil, and whips air into the oil, and again, you get air into the oil system.
The only way to know if the oil pump is getting air, is to have a good oil pressure guage, that is plumbed with at least a 1/4 inch line. The oil pressure in an engine goes up and down just as fast as the rpm on the tachometer does.
If you have a fast response oil pressure gauge, you will see a pressure drop at a constant rpm, if the oil pump sucks air.
I only wait about 30 seconds to check the oil on a warm engine.
On my 1997 ski, with a GT-40, and 4 1/2 quarts put in, that puts the oil level somewhere in the range between "full" and "add" on the dipstick.
When I drain the oil, to change it, I suck all the oil out of the engine through the drain hose on the bottom of the pan that I can get, at the boat ramp just right after running the boat. If the ramp is not busy, I will set the "used oil suck pump" up on the engine while the boat is still floating, tied to the dock, restart the engine, run it up to about 2000 or 3000 rpm for about 20 seconds, turn off the motor, and then suck the oil out.
I then winch the boat onto the trailer, the engine is not restarted.
I then take the boat home, put the oil drain hose through the water drain hole in the boat, and let it sit overnight. I get about an additional cup, to a pint of oil, that drained out overnight. I also remove the filter the next morning, less oil spills into the bilge that way.
My oil in the engine looks new for a lot longer when I do the oil change that way.
If I do a "quickie" oil change the oil get dirty a lot sooner, probably because more dirty oil was left in the engine. I also have a higher oil level after the "quickie" oil change.

[SoCalNautique]

RE: 351 with wrong dipstick?

Thanks Daniel. That is very thorough and a great idea. I'll use that next time. Chris

[AirTool]

Re: RE: 351 with wrong dipstick?

My oil in the engine looks new for a lot longer when I do the oil change that way. If I do a "quickie" oil change the oil get dirty a lot sooner, probably because more dirty oil was left in the engine. I also have a higher oil level after the "quickie" oil change.

I agree...same with me. The sooner I change the oil...the longer it stays looking good.

So...change your oil more often and you won't have to change it as often....Huh?

Bottom line...be consistent...and if you go long or see some super black oil.....run it a few hours and change it again.

I too do the overnight drain but I open the filter the night of...allows the oil in the remote kit to drain out easier...usually get an extra cup or more this way.

AirTool