Go Back  Offshoreonly.com > Technical > General Q & A
Oil Failure or Something elase?  385HP 454 >

Oil Failure or Something elase? 385HP 454

Notices

Oil Failure or Something elase? 385HP 454

Thread Tools
 
Old 08-19-2013, 11:54 AM
  #1  
Registered
Thread Starter
iTrader: (1)
 
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: KY
Posts: 4,101
Received 471 Likes on 367 Posts
Default Oil Failure or Something elase? 385HP 454

The prot engine was replaced about 200 hours ago for a different reason, and the same engine is being replaced now. The first replacement was a Merc repower. at least this is what we think it is. Was bought from a Merc dealer and Merc techs put it in according to previous owner. Initial inspection shows signs of what resembles oil failure, or incorrect oil gap on bearings due to all bearings are scored.

Engine has a Mrcruiser Repower plate on the side
Head and Rocker stud bolts have what appears to be white silicone on the ends.
Heads look good with no signs of preignition, only one cylinder shows slight sign of rich fuel mix
Piston tops all look good
Some of the push rods were installed upside down

Problem areas:
Oil pan splash guard shows copper bits all over it
All connecting rod bearings have no copper showing, all show scoring
Rod bearing number 7 was spun on to it self
Did not remove main caps

The engine had 200 hours and had used Merc 25W40 synthetic blend and Merc filters.
The engine was a Merc repower so why did the bearings fail so soon? Assuming that since this was a Merc repower, or at least this is what we think it is, the engine was rebuilt correctly. The engine which replaced it is also a 2008 Merc repower, which was sitting in a Florida Dealer. Concerns now is what could have cause this to happen? Starting to think this engine should not have used the synthetic blend oil and maybe use what I use in my engines, non-synthetic straight 40W.

Any ideas?
AllDodge is offline  
Old 08-19-2013, 03:06 PM
  #2  
Registered
 
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Ray Twp. Michigan
Posts: 812
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
Default

I’m sure others will chime in, but it sounds like it could be a multitude of problems, none of which has to do with the actual oil you were using. I would bet on incorrect tolerances, machining, and or engine assembly work. Or a reused contaminated oil cooler??

Last edited by johnny b good; 08-19-2013 at 03:08 PM.
johnny b good is offline  
Old 08-19-2013, 07:42 PM
  #3  
Registered
 
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Michigan
Posts: 715
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

Well of course it can't be the oil, its Merc oil. There is no way that could be the problem....

Did you take an oil sample?
07DominatorSS is offline  
Old 08-20-2013, 06:10 AM
  #4  
Registered
 
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: New Hartford CT
Posts: 756
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
Default

It is not the oil, unless of course it is lack of oil due a pump failure of blockage in an oil galley.

Ken
minxguy is offline  
Old 08-21-2013, 01:52 PM
  #5  
Registered
Thread Starter
iTrader: (1)
 
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: KY
Posts: 4,101
Received 471 Likes on 367 Posts
Default

Originally Posted by 07DominatorSS
Well of course it can't be the oil, its Merc oil. There is no way that could be the problem....

Did you take an oil sample?
No, didn't take a sample, has copper all through it.

Originally Posted by minxguy
It is not the oil, unless of course it is lack of oil due a pump failure of blockage in an oil galley.

Ken
I'm thinking the engine is not a Merc rebuild, it's probably a knock off. Someone took a Quicksilver reman tag off a motor and put it on this one. Going to go get the tag number and see what I can find out about it.
AllDodge is offline  
Old 08-21-2013, 08:09 PM
  #6  
Gold Member
Gold Member
iTrader: (5)
 
Full Force's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Olmsted Falls,Ohio Marblehead,Oh
Posts: 11,634
Likes: 0
Received 204 Likes on 132 Posts
Default

I doubt it really has something to do with the build from the beginning, brearing failures normally happen within first hour, I am going with some kind of pump/flow failure, or running oil too hot for too long, clogged cooler?

if it was builder error you would have never gotten 200 hours on them bearings.....
Full Force is offline  

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On



Contact Us - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Terms of Service

Copyright © 2024 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Use of this site indicates your consent to the Terms of Use.