Low Oil...HELP!

[RoverOn]

OK...Oil waring message came up on the MMC...so I check the oil

It barely shows on the dipstick....so I have two questions:

1 - How F'ed am I (I was watching the oil preassure yesterday after the alarm went off and it stayed over 40 except for a few seconds at a time when the bow would rise.

2 - I could only find 15W-40 non-marine oil...can I use this, or do I need the "marine?" The oil I found was penziol and had the SJ and CG4 rating that the manual suggested.

3 - Why would this happen in the first place...I had the oil changed during winter storage and have 30+ hour on this year.

Thanks for the help!

[RoverOn]

OK...so I found info on the 15-w40...so I think I am OK.

Any idea on the burning of oil?

I had the dreaded 365hp Hammer Head...but it has already been replaced by the previous owner...

Thanks

[edwin]

One of three things happened - the engine either burned the oil, leaked the oil, or the person who changed the oil didn't fill it completely.

Add the 15w-40 oil you found...it'll be just fine.

[RoverOn]

One of three things happened - the engine either burned the oil, leaked the oil, or the person who changed the oil didn't fill it completely.

Add the 15w-40 oil you found...it'll be just fine.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

My bilge water has been especially greasy...would that indicate #2...

Excuse my ignorance...but beyond taking it to the dealer, where is the oil drain plug...and would it just need tightening....or is it one of them you need to replace each time?

[Primadude]

On my '04 LSV, after changing the oil and it registering on the dip stick OK, once in the water it was near the end of the dip stick. My LSV sits differently on the trailer vs. on the water. I had to add more oil to get it back in range on the stick. The same happened for the transmission. I don't know if that fits your situation but it could. Also, the dealer probably spilled oil in the bilge when they removed the filter. I would top it off and keep an eye on it.

Joe

[JohnDoe]

One of three things happened - the engine either burned the oil, leaked the oil, or the person who changed the oil didn't fill it completely.

Add the 15w-40 oil you found...it'll be just fine.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

My bilge water has been especially greasy...would that indicate #2...

Excuse my ignorance...but beyond taking it to the dealer, where is the oil drain plug...and would it just need tightening....or is it one of them you need to replace each time?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

The oil drain plug is actually a oil drain hose that can be tightened more securely, but it is not likely that thats the culprit, as it is stored higher than the bottom of the engine. Oil flow is slow, even when it is fully extended and below the boat. But, staranger things have happened, and you might have a good idea. I would guess that if it is leaking, it's the filter. If the old filter was on there for a while, sometimes a piece of the old gasket will stick to the mount. So, when the new one goes on, it doesn;t have a tight seal. If your dealer uses OEM parts, then you will see a yellow thing about 4 inches in diameter and 6 inches long (that estimation is a little on the big side). See if it's loose or if there are signs of leakage there. If so, then you'll need to remove filter, scrape mounting location and replace. But, I'm guessing you're burning oil. It's not all that uncommon for oil to get burned, especially in high rpm situations in suped motors like these.

[RTS]

Low oil is different from no oil. Sounds to me like you caught the problem in time to aviod engine damage, but you need to address the root cause. An oily bilge is not good. The only oil you should get in there is from a sloppy oil change, if any then. Is it a bunch of oil in the bilge? If it is, this may rule out the engine burning the oil, so you need to find the leak. Hopefully, it will be as simple as something loose. Check your filter, your pressure switch and sending unit connection, and both the end of the drain line, and where the drain line hooks into the engine. Some of these things might be hard to see, an inspection mirror from an auto parts store may help. Also look around the oil pan, as a gasket may be failing, and in general find if there is any obvious oil coming from anywhere on the engine.

In summary, I'd try to find the cause, but I doubt you've done damage to the engine, my oil pressure guage fluctutates at idle and again on holeshot...

Best of luck to you

[RoverOn]

It ended up being about 1.5 quarts low.

I am leaning towards a leak...as I cleaned out the ski locker last week with bilge cleaner and it was sweaky clean.

This morning, we pulled out the beginner skis from the ski locker and they left an oil slick in the water.

Will check on everything when I get back home, however...it has 45 hour on it this summer, so I will probably just bring it to the dealer to check into and do a oil/filter change while they are at it...which should take me through the rest of the year.

Thanks for the re-assurance...made me feel much better and have put on an additional 5 hours since...

Dave

[Lakenut]

Your oil level will probably be different on the trailer than on the water. Mine shows about a qt. too full when on the trailer. When I check the oil with the boat on the water it is right where it is supposed to be. You may have had someone fill to the top of the full mark on the dipstick while the boat was on the trailer which could mean it is not really full.

[RoverOn]

Your oil level will probably be different on the trailer than on the water.  Mine shows about a qt. too full when on the trailer.  When I check the oil with the boat on the water it is right where it is supposed to be.  You may have had someone fill to the top of the full mark on the dipstick while the boat was on the trailer which could mean it is not really full.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Filled it in the water...so I should be OK right?

[Sunsetter95]

Check and make sure the valve covers bolts are tight. That is a typical place for a small leak to go unnoticed. Use a clean rag or paper towel and wipe around the head and cover area, especially around the rear. Also check the filter in the same way. Look at the trans inspection plate if you can see it and see if there is any oil drips hanging there. Rear main leaks show up there. You can look at the spark plugs and see if any of them have some oil fouling on them. If they are clean, then the engine is not burning oil, it is a leak.

[Brad B]

Hope you got it all worked out OK.

But you really need to put more than 45 hours a season on that beauty.

She was probably a little mad and spit it out to get your attention/affection.

[RoverOn]

Hope you got it all worked out OK.

But you really need to put more than 45 hours  a season on that beauty.

She was probably a little mad and spit it out to get your attention/affection.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Ended up with 40 hours so far this season....headed for 80-100 for the season.

Not too bad for Minnesota...

Plus my wife likes to anchor a lot...so the actual boat time is probably 2-3x as much.

[RoverOn]

Good news.

It WAS an oil leak. The nipple on the oil preassure sensor was cracked and leaking oil.

I also had them check the motor alignment and found that all the mounts were loose and one needed to be replaced....good thing I had them check.

Boat is back and in play...

Dave

[RTS]

Isn't it a great feeling when you find the problem and are able to fix it??? You can just feel all the stress and worry fade away, as you look forward to enjoying the boat.

Glad things worked out well in the end for you...

[RoverOn]

Isn't it a great feeling when you find the problem and are able to fix it???  You can just feel all the stress and worry fade away, as you look forward to enjoying the boat.

Glad things worked out well in the end for you...

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Definately...

I was super worried as the boat had the fabled Hammer Head (and it HH #2 for the boat)

[skisix@38]

Along the same subject but a little different twist...

I keep having problem with my 03 RLXi where the oil pressure alarm goes off. It does this when the gage goes to 0. It has oil and the temp stays at 160. I've had it in to the dealer three times now and still no fix.

1. replaced oil pressure sending unit

2. replaced gage unit(they are different)

3. repaced crimp on type terminals for ring terminals

The last time I was told that this solved the problem and "I would be good to go" and before the second ski ride it was beeping at me. When I'm at idle I can watch the gage fluxuate between 0 and 30 psi- it seems somewhat random to me.

I think the gage is loosing connection somewhere, either the gage itself or in the wiring between the gage and the sensor. If that's not it then there is something clogging the sensor.

Anyone have problems of this sort and what then fixed it?

[JohnDoe]

isn't it possible that in fact, you don't have much (any) oil pressure and that the gauge is correct? We have had 4 monsoons now and each of them, at different times, have showed a fluctuation of idle oil pressure. Because each did the same thing (including the 05) I thought the gauge must be accurate and that the oil pressure did not get spun up until fast idle.

Just a thought...that maybe it's the engine, not the gauges.

[srud]

I think I read in another thread somewhere that this is a "lanyard" issue. So, check the lanyard!

[skisix@38]

isn't it possible that in fact, you don't have much (any) oil pressure and that the gauge is correct?  We have had 4 monsoons now and each of them, at different times, have showed a fluctuation of idle oil pressure.  Because each did the same thing (including the 05) I thought the gauge must be accurate and that the oil pressure did not get spun up until fast idle. 

Just a thought...that maybe it's the engine, not the gauges.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Sure it's possible, although unlikely because if it didn't have oil pressure the lifters would rattle very loudly and the temp would climb.

I would hope that when it was at the dealers that was the first thing they checked.

Srud: I checked the laynard twice and it full of fluid. It's blinker gasket was worn so I replaced that and the alarm plunger valve was sticky so I greased it.

But thanks for pointing that out.

[JohnDoe]

maybe your 38 off pass is just too hard on your motor six?

[skisix@38]

maybe your 38 off pass is just too hard on your motor six?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Can't be, my buddies SN196 can pull me into 39, so, the bu's motor has got at least 41 capability for me.

[JohnDoe]

yeah, I was joking. IF these motors move boats after weight of 7000#'s they can handle slalom skiers like us easily!

[skisix@38]

I knew that. My ski buddy is sure getting some laughs out of this, all his "piece of $hit Malibu this and that" comments and why his 196 is better..... No wonder I'm in a slump. His PB is behind my Bu with my wife driving, that's all I have to mention to him and that buys me a day or so until the alarm starts beeping again.

I got word from Maliboo that the main plug from the engine to the dash pod may need adjusting, he's meeting me tonite. I'll see....