Checking Oil While Boat Is On Lift

BleednBlue

Member
Jul 22, 2015
163
Lake Of The Ozarks
Boat Info
270 SLX
Engines
Merc. 496 MAG Bravo III
Checked the oil this weekend, little low. Started to add oil but stopped because I was concerned about the boat not being level on the lift (bow higher than stern - nothing obnoxious and very typical angle). Should the bow being higher than the stern be factored into dipstick level? If yes, how much? Am I over thinking this? I just do not what to add too much oil! Oh, it's a 496 Mag.
 
Probably overthinking it a bit. I wouldn't think it's level when sitting in the water either. Min and max on the dipstick is normally a quart and as long as I'm in between the two, I don't sweat it.
 
Probably overthinking it a bit. I wouldn't think it's level when sitting in the water either. Min and max on the dipstick is normally a quart and as long as I'm in between the two, I don't sweat it.

Good information...thanks. I will keep it between the lines :)
 
what do dealers do when they service our boats when on trailer?

They do the best they can,,, I like to have it right at the top hash mark when its sitting in my slip. Do you check your truck oil while parked on a hill ?
 
I have found that a slight angle doesn't make much difference on the dip stick. You can always double check it once in the water. I believe the manual says to check oil when boat is floating.

Sent from my Z30 using Tapatalk
 
This is a real easy fix. Put the boat in the water and make sure the oil is at the full line on the stick. Then put the boat on the lift in its normal spot. Check the oil and mark that level on the stick using the sharp edge of a fine cut triangular file. That line is your full line on the lift. The other is the line when it's in the water. Guess work gone.
 

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