Mercruiser 5.7 MPI Horizon oil change - unable to extract all the oil

[Devil_Inside]

I have a 2005 Mercruiser 5.7 MPI Horizon and I am using a West Marine oil extractor with a garden hose adapter, but no matter what I do I can only suck about 3 quarts out, maybe 3.5 if you count what's in the oil filter. I also tried inserting a long suction tube through the dipstick until it hit the bottom of the oil pan, but I couldn't suck any more oil out. The boat is currently sitting on a trailer so I tried raising and lowering the bow, but that too didn't make a difference.

After messing around with it for over an hour I sucked whatever I could out, changed the filter and re-filled the engine with 4 quarts of oil. I ran the engine briefly and I checked the oil level and it was definitely higher than it should, and the oil looked contaminated.

I am really stumped.

 

[Chris-380]

warm the engine good, if possible use it, not just idling on the hose, but should do just as good since your on the trailer already

i had a decent hand vacuum pump, would only get 5 quarts out of my 7.4L

bought this, got basically every drop out, or at least it seemed to...

https://www.hodgesmarine.com/jab178...Zr4O2GGAPX09tQNFAE1gbP7tnEzw-HfEaAiX7EALw_wcB

 

[Jason offshore]

I have a 2005 Mercruiser 5.7 MPI Horizon and I am using a West Marine oil extractor with a garden hose adapter, but no matter what I do I can only suck about 3 quarts out, maybe 3.5 if you count what's in the oil filter. I also tried inserting a long suction tube through the dipstick until it hit the bottom of the oil pan, but I couldn't suck any more oil out. The boat is currently sitting on a trailer so I tried raising and lowering the bow, but that too didn't make a difference.

After messing around with it for over an hour I sucked whatever I could out, changed the filter and re-filled the engine with 4 quarts of oil. I ran the engine briefly and I checked the oil level and it was definitely higher than it should, and the oil looked contaminated.

I am really stumped.

im about to change oil tomorrow was always told to run the boat if possible...or leave throttles at higher then idle on stands..do you have the exact amount of oil your engines take ? curious

 

[scoflaw]

Replace with the same amount you extract.

 

[Jason offshore]

Replace with the same amount you extract.

yes i get that..but was wondering the exact amount for mercrusier 350 mpi please

 

[Devil_Inside]

I am planning on calling Mercruiser tech support to confirm, but I believe it only holds 4.5 US quarts...

 

[Jason offshore]

I am planning on calling Mercruiser tech support to confirm, but I believe it only holds 4.5 US quarts...

thanks devil inside.. I've heard 5 etc... just trying to nail down the exact amount so i know for this weekend... let me know if you hear from marine tech.. very much appreciated

 

[Lazy Daze]

I usually get about 4.5 qts out of a small block with remote oil filter. It actually holds a bit more, but you never get it all. You should certainly get more than that 3 you got. Of course, this is assuming that you had the proper amount in the engine to start with.

 

[Jason offshore]

I usually get about 4.5 qts out of a small block with remote oil filter. It actually holds a bit more, but you never get it all. You should certainly get more than that 3 you got. Of course, this is assuming that you had the proper amount in the engine to start with.

thank you so much

 

[Devil_Inside]

I usually get about 4.5 qts out of a small block with remote oil filter. It actually holds a bit more, but you never get it all. You should certainly get more than that 3 you got. Of course, this is assuming that you had the proper amount in the engine to start with.

My old engine, which was a 1995 Mercruiser 5.7 TBI, held 5.5 qts and I was always able to extract about 4.5 quarts using the same oil extractor.

With the 2005 Mercruiser 5.7 Horizon MPI I haven't been able to extract any more than 3.5 quarts, which is why I am confused.

I called Mercruiser tech support line yesterday and they told me that those engines hold either 4.5 quarts or 5.5 quarts depending on which oil filter and oil pan was installed. They also confirmed that the oil extractors aren't able to suck all the oil out and that it is not uncommon to leave a quart behind.

So I can only conclude that my particular engine has the smaller 4.5 quart capacity, but I wish I could find out for sure.

 

[Jason offshore]

yes that's why i was asking but it makes sense if you leave oil in pan when changing.. I'll keep you posted because I'm doing tomorrow.. boating season is running out here in ri

.

 

[Lazy Daze]

Devil, just to further clarify what I said above about 4.5 qts... I'm not talking about just 3 or 4 different small blocks (whether 5.0, 5.7, 350MAG). Between myself and the other guys, I'm talking about LITERALLY hundreds of small blocks over the years. I can't ever remember getting only 3 or 3.5 out of an engine, other than if it wasn't full to start with. But maybe Proline specs some type of low capacity oil pan - for what reason, I have no idea - don't think I've ever worked on a stern drive Proline.

However, there is very little oil left in the pan (it can be left in lines, though)... I've sucked oil out and then, for good measure, drained the oil - and MAYBE I got about 6 ounces more out. Sucking the oil pretty much gets it all out of the pan.