Advice needed - Mercruiser

[Dave2]

I have just bought a Sea Ray 290 Sundancer fitted with twin Mercruiser 5.7l EFIs with Alpha1 drives. I have hauled it out for a polish/antifoul/engine and sterndrive service etc. I am using the authorised Mercruiser service centre here in Egypt (yes, the land of the Pyramids). The locals need a lot of supervision here and I just went down to check things to find the "engineer" about to top up the engine oil with 2 stroke oil (!!), and he had a container of locally made oil with the only english words on the container being "transmission oil - SAE90" with the picture of a car next to it (!!). I rang his boss in Cairo who was none the wiser about what the correct oil for the engine/gearbox is (!!).
I know that being here that I should get a service manual for these engines and I will at the earliest opportunity, but in the meantime, could a Mercruiser expert please advise me of the correct grade/type of engine/gearbox oil and when I get to Cairo tomorrow, I can start the frustrating search for the correct stuff?
Thanks in advance.

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[ontheplane]

If you really can't wait to use exactly the right oil, I have known people to use a basic car engine oil in the petrol Mercruisers. The correct oil is sold in chandlers, but I have never examined the properties.

Just e-mail Mercruiser on

http://www.mercurymarine.com/contact_us

they will give the definative answer and prob the authorised dealer over there as well.

<hr width=100% size=1>Why can't we work 2 days a week and boat the other 5????

 

[ArthurWood]

Engine 15W40 or 20W40


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[jon_bailey]

According to Dave Brown (American engine guru) he recommends a straight SAE 40 engine oil for warmer climes rather than a multi-grade.

In truth I don't think that it makes that much difference provided a reasonble quality engine oil is used. These engines are under-stressed, under-used and should have the oil changed regularly anyway.

You'll need just over 5L for each engine.

Castrol must have a precense in Egypt so suggest you try your local Halfords!

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[duncan]

Re: Mercruiser Manuals

can be found here.......all of them once you have worked out the navigation. You wil lneed to try out the various service manuals to find the number of the one you want then go down to about page 5 of each to click through to the contents.

<A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.boatfix.com/merc/mainmenu.pdf>http://www.boatfix.com/merc/mainmenu.pdf</A>

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[jon_bailey]

Re: Mercruiser Manuals

Excellent find! Already using them.

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