350 Mercruser

wakedude47 · Outlaw Joined: 08 Jul 2003 Posts: 159 City: discovery bay

I need some info from all of you. I have a 2003 Mercruser 350 and was told by merc. that is is normal to burn 1 qt. of oil every 16 hours. Do you find this to be true or are they giving me a line of sh-t. Sad

Brit Rider · Posted: Oct 02, 2004 2:12 am Post subject:

seems like a lot of oil....

garveyj · Addict Joined: 12 Jan 2003 Posts: 877 City: Savage, MN

We have that engine and do not burn that much oil.

oshensurfer · Posted: Oct 02, 2004 1:10 pm Post subject:

Are you sure they didn't say during the first 16 hours? That would be somewhat normal while the engine is sucking in all the oil into every crevice and seal. I've never burned that much oil in 85 hours after break in.

chaz28o · Posted: Oct 02, 2004 2:05 pm Post subject:

I think what they are saying is; 1 quart of oil every 16 hours is within specs (which is pretty sad specs)

Are you burning oil, or dripping oil?

wakedude47 · Outlaw Joined: 08 Jul 2003 Posts: 159 City: discovery bay

not dripping oil,not smoking, the motor has 450 hours and is a 2003. And you are right very sad specs Sad

hamkj · Soul Rider Joined: 19 Dec 2003 Posts: 303 City: City

no chance it should be dripping that much oil.... i had an 2000 with 1000 hours... and i never went through any oil.... strange!!!

Ralph · Posted: Oct 02, 2004 11:17 pm Post subject:

I have an email address for the manager of the tow sports division, I see if I can find it for you. He was very helpful when I spoke to him last.

lumpy · Criminal Joined: 25 Jul 2003 Posts: 99

That may actually be right. Not that it isn't sad that they would consider it ok, but I know that some of newer Mustangs were burning about a quart every 1k miles and Ford told the owners that it was within spec. So maybe Ford and Chevy share the same belief about oil burning. Not sure what is the proper conversion for hours to miles but assuming an average of 50mph, you would have driven about 800 miles.

I drove a Mazda truck for about 30k miles burning a quart every other tank of gas. Continuously running a little short will lead to pre-mature metal wear. When I tore that engine down the cam and cam bearings looked like someone took a grinder to them.

On the bright side, if it is low ring tension that is causing the consumption, you are freeing up horsepower.

lanceuga33 · Outlaw Joined: 16 Oct 2003 Posts: 143 City: McDonough

My Merc does not burn any oil. I would get the dealer involved ASAP especially if it is still under warranty. I have had much better success dealing with Mercruiser through a dealer than trying to myself.