Merc Fourstroke - Oil not draining

[mattfish11]

Very weird problem on my Merc Fourstroke. Serial #2B223384

Went to change my oil with the side drain with a hose connected, but when I turned the valve (2.5 times) to loosen, there is a VERY VERY slow drain of oil. Like drops. Granted it's cool outside (45 degrees) but but no means that cold. I took the filter off, the filler cap off and still not draining. it's been open and draining for about 20 minutes now and I'd say about half of a cup came out so far. This is crazy.

Any ideas on getting this oil draining?

[suprtrkr1974]

Check that drain and make sure no mud dobbers have started a nest. We have problems down south with them building nests in any hole anywhere.

[mattfish11]

Check that drain and make sure no mud dobbers have started a nest. We have problems down south with them building nests in any hole anywhere.

Bingo. Ended up taking the whole drain valve thingy out and had what looked like a spider jammed up in there. Going to put her back together and finish my oil change. Thanks!!!

[jeffb]

Bingo. Ended up taking the whole drain valve thingy out and had what looked like a spider jammed up in there. Going to put her back together and finish my oil change. Thanks!!!

I don't know how key this is - but from the maintenance manual below, it suggests you must not remove the drain entirely .... I am sure Don will be on soon to advise

Hope it is all ok

Jeff

OIL CHANGING PROCEDURE
1. Tilt the outboard out/up past vertical for approximately one minute to allow
any trapped oil to drain back to the oil sump.
2. Tilt the outboard to a vertical position.
MAINTENANCE
80 eng
3. Use a 16 mm (5/8 in.) wrench and loosen the oil drain valve so that it can
be turned by hand. Be careful not to open the valve too far allowing oil to
drain.
4. Attach a 12 mm (7/16 in.) I.D. drain hose to the oil drain valve. Position
the opposite end of the hose into an appropriate container.
5. Loosen the oil drain valve 2‑1/2 turns to allow oil to drain. Do not exceed
2‑1/2 turns.
IMPORTANT: Do not loosen the oil drain valve more than 2‑1/2 turns out. The
oil seal could get damaged beyond 2‑1/2 turns.
6. After the oil has drained, hand‑tighten the oil drain valve (clockwise) and
remove the oil drain hose.
7. Tighten the oil drain valve to the specified torque. Clean up any oil in the
valve area.

[EuropeanAM]

Definitely avoid removing the fitting, unless it is absolutely necessary.

Be sure to monitor CLOSELY for oil leaks.

Always a good idea to warm the engine up before beginning oil/filter change procedure.

[mattfish11]

Definitely avoid removing the fitting, unless it is absolutely necessary.

Be sure to monitor CLOSELY for oil leaks.

Always a good idea to warm the engine up before beginning oil/filter change procedure.

It was absolutely necessary to drain the oil. I'll keep a close eye for leaks.

Thanks Don!

[bassbama]

You can go to Lowes or Home Depot and in the nuts/bolts section there is a drawer with caps after your finished with your oil change install one to keep debris out.

[born 2 fish]

You can go to Lowes or Home Depot and in the nuts/bolts section there is a drawer with caps after your finished with your oil change install one to keep debris out.

I've seen water coming out of there at idle would capping the oil drain cause any issues?

[mattfish11]

No idea why there would be water coming out of there...

[born 2 fish]

No idea why there would be water coming out of there...

Dont know but apparently it's normal
http://www.bbcboards.net/showthread.php?t=597461

[gatorglenn]

Where would you guess the water comes from?

[BassinR83]

Funny, I just took pictures/videos of the water coming from there as well. I have no idea and was wanting to know the same thing.

[bassbama]

So your saying water comes out the same fitting that you drain the oil from your crankcase? or is it coming out from around the fitting? I guess we will have to wait for Don to reply on this one but if there is a water hose attached in any way to a fitting that leads straight to the oil sump that would be a concern.

[2500]

The water is around fitting, not from drain. The cavity behind is filled in water, the drain is not leaking water.

[EuropeanAM]

Water coming from AROUND the fitting (it's actually exiting from the lower cowling at any point it can) is NORMAL.

Some of the cooling circuit "dumps" are dropped into the lower cowling (such as the FSM).