1992 3300 Sundancer Dipsticks

[bburnsed]

I recently bought a used 92 Sundancer 3300 with 350 CI engines. At the first oil change I noticed the engines had different size (diameter) dipstick tubes AND the dipsticks themselves were different lengths AND the original dipstick full levels had been scratched away and replaced with full level etchings made by hand.

I called the service guy at the marina (a Sea Ray dealership) where the boat was bought new and kept until I bought it. He personally had worked on the boat its entire life and told me the first time they changed the oil when it was new he noticed the discrepancy with the dipsticks and merely drained all the oil, changed the filters, put 6 qts in each engine and then made the new full level markings.

Two questions: 1) Anybody have an explanation about the dipsticks? 2) My Mercruiser engine manual says the 350's require 5 qts with a filter change but the marina has been putting in 6 qts all these years.

 

[sbw1]

I can't explain why you have two different styles of dipsticks or why they put 6 quarts in the engines vs. 5. I do have experience with the hand etched dipstick. My 8.1s ran fine from the time they were brand new in 2004. However, the port engine would blow a quart of oil out the exhaust every 3-5 hours and then settle down at the add 1 quart level. I filed a warranty claim. Crusader sent a tech to my dock and he sucked all the oil out and replaced the oil filter. He ended up with 6 quarts of oil. He then replaced the oil per the spec (6 quarts I believe). Checking the dipstip showed the motor was a quart low. He scratched off the quart low and filed full on that line and etched a new quart low line below that. Both engines have the dipsticks in the center of the ER so they can be easily checked. The starboard engine has its stick on the left of the block and the port engine stick is opposite on the right side of the block. Moving the stick to the right side caused it to read low by one quart when it was really full. The extra quart was blown out the exhaust and now that engine burns no oil. I'm thinking something similar happened with your boat and the prior owner went through something like I just described. Ask your seller.

 

[fc3]

I recently bought a used 92 Sundancer 3300 with 350 CI engines.

Dang! Now that's a big Sea Ray!

Best regards,
Frank