Conference vicki::boats

    
    
    Anouther simple cause is picking up a plastic bag around the IO leg.
    The raw water inlet in on the sides of the IO.  Quick test for this Is 
    Overheat
    Stop. Back down for 4 or 5 seconds.  
    If the alarm stops great. 
    If not shut it down.  
    
    
    The oil smell may come from leaking valve covers.  The exaust crossover
    will get hot enough to burn oil.  Or the leak could be on the outside 
    of the valve covers.  the the exaust ports on the exaust manifold will
    be hot enought to burn oil.  One or two drops an hour will make a
    smell.   I know one of my cars drips oil onto the exaust pipe.
    
    
    If you suspect inter engine problems.  Run a compression check.  Easest
    way to test rings and valves.
    
    Ken C
    
    

    I vote for the leaking valve covers.  Try to tighten them down a
    little.  Don't go too tight because you want to keep the cover gasket
    from getting crushed.  It's the one place on the motor where oli can
    come from directly above a very hot surface.  A very small amount of
    oil (almost to little to notice) can make a heck of a smell when burned
    on the exhaust manifold in an enclosed space.
    Wayne

    I have to agree with all that has been said so far. There are a ton of
    place that you can get minor oil leaks from. But don't forget to get
    the impeller in the out drive checked out. In fact for an 87 I have it
    replaced for peice of mind. I'm assuming here your Liberator is Merc
    equiped. The out drive water impeller is rubber fined and can easily
    chewed/worn from dirt and sand in the water it pumps. My boat is an 86
    and I replaced it in 88 and again the beginning of this season. Wear
    was evident but I didn't want to overheated and down in the middle of
    the Chesapeak.
    My two cents.:^) Good luck
    Walt

    I had the mercrusuer 170 the big 4 thats supposed be an offspring of
    that 454 and after 2 years of no. 40 weight oil as rec. by merc.
    they told me that I should switch to 30 weight so i did and i started
    smelling oil as you do. When investigated i found the 30 weight was
    getting by the valve cover gaskets and running down the hot block this
    was a very small and hard leak to find but it was enough to cause the
    smell.I found it by taking a white rag and giving the engine a wipe
    down.With that black block it is very hard to see it.The solution was i
    went back to 40 weigth and the problem diappeared.

    I had an overheat problem this weekend with my 454.....Turned out to be
    a plugged heat exchanger on the right engine manifold. If the boat has
    lived in salt water for a couple of seasons or more, the heat
    exchangers should be pulled/cleaned. If "crap" builds up inside, then
    you do not get water flow mixed with the exhaust and burn up exhaust
    rubber diaphrams and cause an over heat. Heat exchanger is easy to pull
    off the exhaust manifold on a Mercruiser.....4 bolts....
    
    my $.02 worth
    steve       

��                     <<< Note 996.6 by EPTVAX::TURBAYNE >>>
��                 -< Have you looked at the Heat Exchangers?? >-

��    I had an overheat problem this weekend with my 454.....Turned out to be
��    a plugged heat exchanger on the right engine manifold. If the boat has

    Are you thinking of 'exhaust elbow'?  A heat exchanger
    typically lives between the raw water and the 'fresh' water
    in a fresh water cooled engine.

    	- Lee