2002 5.7 Merc engine oil and plugs

[FuzzDaddy]

Hello everyone!
This is my first post one the forum.
I just purchased a 2002 Sea Ray 230 signature with 5.7 Merc and bravo out drive.I have no manual with the boat and cannot find one anywhere online, so I need some help please.
I have a few questions
1) I would like to change the oil.
Any specific type of oil and weight? Can I purchase from Napa? I never ran the boat yet but has around 500-600 hours. So looking for a good all around generic oil. Boat will be used in salt water but dry docked if that matters.
2) I would like to replace the spark plugs and wires for a tune up. I assuming what’s in there is correct but I don’t know for sure. Can I purchase these from an auto parts store or sea ray dealer?
3) The stainless steel braided hoses on the out drive are fraying. Where is a good place to purchase a set of those? I really don’t have a dealer that close. It’s about a hour and a half away.
Thank you in advance for all your help and accepting me in the forum!
Corey

 

[BillK2632]

Yeah, NAPA has a pretty good selection of Mercruiser parts, mainly filters and ignition parts. I usually get spark plugs from them, and also got my ignition wires there. The cover on your motor should have the spark plug type.

1. Oil - Mercruiser has their own label oil, it's an odd weight (25w40) that you won't find in most brands. You can buy the Quicksilver oil at WalMart along with their oil filters. You can match it up with other brands, Rotella is popular for marine engines, but I just use the Quicksilver. It comes in regular dino and synthetic blend. I just use the dino.

2. I would replace them if you don't know when it was done last. You can get them at NAPA or a number of on-line places. The NAPA and Sierra - (Sierra makes aftermarket marine parts) wires are good and cheaper alternatives to the OEM Mercruiser wires. For NAPA, you can lookup Mercruiser parts online or Google, you will find a number of online marine stores (wholsalemarine, NuWave, Boats.net etc) - generally and especially with ignition parts there is a specific type (wires, dist cap etc) specified for marine use. You don't want to just buy parts for a GM 5.7, specify it is a marine engine.

3. SS hoses - those are called trim lines - can find those at some of the places I mentioned above (not NAPA). Probably a good time to flush / change the trim fluid if you are replacing the hoses.

You can download the owners manual for your boat from searay.com. Google Mercruiser 5.7 for the engine manual and whatever outdrive you have (Alpha, Bravo III etc).

Good luck with your new boat sounds like you have a good one. The smaller SeaRays of that vintage are good boats.

 

[Little Ducky]

Please look on your engine cover.

The S/N number of your engine along with some other numbers will be on there to help you find the correct manual for your boat motor. If you post a picture with those numbers someone on here can assist in finding the right manual for you.

 

[FishOn]

You might consider buying a SELOC manual. You can get them at auto parts stores (call ahead) or online. A lot of the info you are looking for will be in there.

 

[Dabble]

I have a 2000 230 signature and LOVE it.

BillK’s post above is spot on.

I recommend you take a pic of your engine cover for serial number lookup for parts. Spark plug type should be on there.

Perfpartspro.com (I think that’s the url) is a great resource for OEM part number searches.

 

[FuzzDaddy]

Hi everyone!
Thank you for the reply’s I really appreciate it. I will pick up the engine oil, plugs, dist cap along with trim fluid today. Hoping to get out on the water this weekend. As requested I have attached a pic of the engine cover. I didn’t notice it had the spark plug type on it. I’ll search online for the 5.7 manual. Thanks again you have been a big help!
Corey

 

[Dabble]

Post some pics of the boat!

 

[BillK2632]

Hi everyone!
Thank you for the reply’s I really appreciate it. I will pick up the engine oil, plugs, dist cap along with trim fluid today. Hoping to get out on the water this weekend. As requested I have attached a pic of the engine cover. I didn’t notice it had the spark plug type on it. I’ll search online for the 5.7 manual. Thanks again you have been a big help!
Corey

Under specifications:
Spark Plugs: AC-MR43LTS / gap .045
Same plug I use in my boat. That is a basic AC Delco Long Throw plug that is in most older GM SB engines with Vortex heads. Compare it to one of the old ones and make sure it is the same length. I get mine at NAPA.

If you are going to replace the distributor cap and wires, also replace the rotor.

 

[FuzzDaddy]

Will do. Thank you!

 

[FuzzDaddy]

I replaced my plugs and noticed 7 of them looked like normal wear. However one plug looked brand spanking new. I am assuming that plug hasn’t been firing at all. Probably a broken wire? Can that cause a hesitation and sputtering taking off from start to WOT?