[mgoodn2244]

Well I got it all back together and it runs good. It�s funny how the things you think will be hard are easy and the little unexpected crap takes time. The engine dropped back it easy, got it all lined up. Lesson #1: The rear mount bolts have nuts, those nuts slide into a housing on the transom assembly which keeps them from spinning as you thread the bolts on. make sure the nuts are slid in that housing slot before dropping the engine in place! I didn�t and they were a bitch to slide it there with my fingers/a needle nose pliers!
Lesson #2: Buy a Thermostat Housing Assembly Kit that actually comes with a damn thermostat!! Haha, the kit I bought had everything but a thermostat, luckily the old one still works fine so I just popped it out and used that to test run the engine.
Lesson #3: I ended up needed a large hex to remove one of those temporary threaded plugs in the top of the new thermostat housing. Had to run out to Bethany Auto and get a 1/2� drive socket and a whole large hex socket set = $57!!
Lesson #4: Make sure the starter solinoid is grounded or else when you go to turn the key all you here is the starter whirling and you get a moment of panic until you realize what is happening (or rather not happening!). [links]

[turnerny75]

Putting the outdrive back on and adjusting the shift cable correctly went well but that�s only because I had someone explain to me the fine particulars and I read the procedure a few times. If you don�t pay attention to the details it will be a real hassle. I used a bungee cord to keep the prop engaged in forward when installing the outdrive and again when adjusting the shift cable.
[links]

[Martian]

[greigmare64]

here

[komoto]

here

[Iron47]

[mgoodn2244]

I have a 1999 Mercruiser 350 with a Bravo III drive. I bought the boat about 3 years ago. On occassion I would notice a few drops of oil in the bilge after running the engine. The oil leak wouldn't happen all the time and when it did it was only very small amounts.

[tyler123]

I pulled the engine this weekend to find the cause. I was amazed to find a crack in the front cover (timing chain cover) at the lip for the oil pan as you can see in the attached pic. more

[fisuk]

Has anyone ever seen this before? What could have caused this crack? Everything other than the cover looks to be in great shape, but I'd hate to put it back together if there is something I should check that I'm not aware of.

[alkor]

How much time did you put on it to lose 2 quarts of oil? here

[happymoon]

You said you plled the stick and there's no oil. Considering that the drive has no stick, we are to assume you mean the engine dipstick.

[fisuk]

Assuming it was topped off properly, two quarts lost in a short time would be a leak that should be easy to see. here

[phoebebright]

That's pretty low for that motor. It holds 4 quarts including the filter. The next thing would be to run it and watch and see if you can locate any drips. more

[ztristanmathisn]

As Raceman said, look for a loose or split oil filter (especialy if it'a a Fram oil filter :confused: ) or a loose drain plug.

[jack8logan]

Even in perfectly sealed engines, water intrudes and forms condensation within the engine. For every gallon of gasoline burned, a little more than a gallon of water vapor forms as a byproduct. During the course of longer trips, the engine reaches its ideal operating temperature, and the heat causes any condensed water to evaporate. If the car travels only short trips, abnormal water accumulation can result because the engine does not reach a temperature that is sufficient to burn off the excess water. here

[charliesome]

There are several factors that cause water to get into the engine oil, including leaking intake manifold gaskets, cracked engine castings and a blown head gasket. One common cause, the formation of water as a gasoline byproduct, is part of normal engine operation.

[Edogaa]

If water is mixing with the oil in a V-style engine that has intake manifolds sealed to the block, then the intake manifold water jacket gasket might be leaking into the inside of the engine. Such leaks occur when bacteria builds up in the antifreeze or coolant solution. This bacteria eventually eats through engine parts. here

[rodrick3nie]

A blown head gasket also could cause water to mix into engine oil. If this is the case, then the vehicle requires immediate attention and service, since blown head gaskets lead to engine malfunction. more

[otalesak]