I am not worried about the starter, if it's a starter no big deal, the motor turns over by hand with the exact same resistance on the other. Like I said when I turned it off it was pushing 25 to 30 psi at 600 RPM, 140 degrees. My main concern is this oil leak I am probably going to suck the engine out by the end of the week. Is there any suggestions as far as the oil leak is concerned.

Pull the distributer , put a pre-oiler in the hole and look for the leak ...I would think with having lost three quarts the leak would be obvious...quick

On a Mk IV, the two piece ream main seal is a common culprit for leaks, especially if they managed to put it in backwards - it happens. Likewise, I have seen other "doh!" moves like putting the wrong main galley plugs in the back of the block - the ones with the oil holes that are supposed to go in the front. Either can result in a massive leak. Another place to look is the oil lines and block adapter. Have you made sure that it wasn't pushing it out the breathers or the dipstick tube? Blowby from rings that have not seated can cause this. I guess until you diagnose the issue that is keeping it from turning over you have no other way of observing for a leak than motor's suggestion, and that is not likely to reveal the leak if the culprit is a seal or blowby.

It's definitely not coming out of the dipstick or breathers, I am dropping the exhaust manifold so I can get access to the starter and bypass to check, and tomorrow pulling the engine.

This is a quick and easy way to find an oil leak.

A little update, I had one of those duh moments, neutral safety switch was a fraction out of adjustment. Motor starts and pushes great pressure. Tomorrow will run on the muffs and try and find leak. Thanks for all the help so far

brain cramp

That has happened to me so many times that I naturally jiggle the shifters now by habit...

The kill switch still gets me once in a while though after I clean the boat - duh...

My Father has a lake house, and a pontoon boat. He told me the engine wouldnt start (outboard). So i go check it out for him. Just crankin like a sob. Boat is on a lift, so i am leaned over like a monkey fiddling with the engine. Checked for spark, no spark. I start digging deeper into it. After about 15 minutes of being upside down, I yell to my father who is sitting at the helm.....

''Dad, is the kill switch fob in place properly??"'

He replies "Uh, wait, Uh no, its on the floor''.

Me "'WTF Dad".

He removed it while cleaning lol

LOL - For some reason I HAVE to remove the FOB when I clean the dash.