correctly reading the engine oil level
 

Hi all;

I finished winterizing a couple of days ago, which included an engine oil change (4.3 Mercruiser, 4.5 qt. oil capacity). I always check the oil level after I've changed it, but I'm not quite sure if I'm doing it correctly. I do my best to try to level the boat, using a bubble level on the boat floor in order to get an accurate dip stick reading. Here's my question: Should I be using the boat floor as my level reference, or the swim deck, or the flat top of the flame arrester? Or, is the dip stick marked to be read when the boat is actually in the water?

Thanks for any advice!

Re: correctly reading the engine oil level
 

As far as I have read: boat on the water per the manual. I suppose one could level the waterline while the boat is on the trailer. Just answers I found on other boating forums.

Re: correctly reading the engine oil level
 

Thanks for the reply.....I really appreciate the help and advise. What you said makes good sense to me, as being on the water is the boat's normal operating environment. So, when the oil reads at the "full" mark on the dip stick, I can be sure it's got 4.5 quarts in and it's an accurate reading.