Hi - longtime lurker, first time poster. Am looking at an straight inboard powered 25 footer for sale. I'm in the survey process now. The engine is advertised as a Merc 350 inboard, but the holley carb leads me to believe it might be a PCM or Indmar or another. Anyway, the real question is this: oil analysis returned sodium at 72 which lab says is abnormal. Brief research on the intertubes tells me 1-50 is normal.
Is this a managable problem or a big concern?
Engine got a good bill of health from the marine mechanic who assessed it. He noted minor corrosion on the manifold/riser gasket joint. Blowby was good/great levels, so no issues there. Other than a tuneup and managing a 10-year old engine with 690 hours, he said in good shape. The engine is a 350 raw water cooled.
Not sure how to tell if the 72 is related to old oil (with additives) or a cracked head or just an old gasket or salt from the aforementioned gasket on the riser.
Just trying to put that 72 in perspective and determine if that alone is a deal breaker.
Everything else checked out ok.
Thanks!
Is this a managable problem or a big concern?
Engine got a good bill of health from the marine mechanic who assessed it. He noted minor corrosion on the manifold/riser gasket joint. Blowby was good/great levels, so no issues there. Other than a tuneup and managing a 10-year old engine with 690 hours, he said in good shape. The engine is a 350 raw water cooled.
Not sure how to tell if the 72 is related to old oil (with additives) or a cracked head or just an old gasket or salt from the aforementioned gasket on the riser.
Just trying to put that 72 in perspective and determine if that alone is a deal breaker.
Everything else checked out ok.
Thanks!