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Oil use question

Hi all, I'm new here so take it easy on me while I get my sea legs :-)

I have a question concerning the amount of oil my boat is using. From day 1 it has used approximately 1/2 quart every 30 hours. The engine is a 350 Chevy engine and I never bring the rpm's up over 3800. The dealer, and several mechanics have told me this is perfectly normal, and that all engines burn some oil.

Does this amount of oil consumption seem normal?

Thanks,

Big Pop.

Big
Oct 13
2005
Well within acceptable range.

It may use less when it gets broken in... NEVER above 3800? That's a shame. It's probably not yet fully "seated" or sealed yet!

Rob

trainfan1
Oct 13
I have that engine in a 1987 boat. It has 800 hours on it and doesn't burn any oil, never has. I'm running Amsoil 15-40 marine deisel oil in it. Ask me in 1000 hours whether it was a good idea...

Capt. Jeff

Tamaroak
Oct 13
> Gene
Oct 13
I average about 80 hours a year, and have never had to add oil between changes on the 5.7L Mercruiser.

I do, however, have to add a quart about every 2500 miles in my pickup which has the 5.7L GMC engine. I've had to do that since it was new.

-- John H

"The trouble with our liberal friends is not that they're ignorant: It's just that they know so much that isn't so." Ronald Reagan

PocoLoco
Oct 13
You may be burning that much oil because you're limiting the rpms to 3800. High rpms under a heavy load help seat the rings. Avoid the use of synthetic oil until your engine is broken in enough to stop passing oil past the rings. Like Tamaroak said, engines shouldn't burn any oil.

Gene and Train are correct. Break-in does not mean babying an engine. Weakly broken in engines eventually develop ridges at the top of the cylinders which are lower than normal. The sharp edges of the top piston rings start having disagreements with this ridge when the engine eventually is run at redline RPMs after break-in.

John

John
Oct 13
That's not enough to do anything about. Mine burns a little. Some folks say they never notice any oil loss between changes. I presume you are sure there are no leaks? The older chevy v8's occasionally leaked around the valve covers and the rear oil seal. Both of those spots had design changes in I believe 1987.

For oil to burn it either is getting past the rings or down the valve guides. Both are a whole lot of work to replace so no one does until the oil consumption gets really bad or there are other sypmtoms.

"Big Pop" <theunknownasshats@yahoo.com> wrote in message

JamesgangNC
Oct 13
   

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