Just how far can you go without oil in a outboard?

[Todd2]

Hello, I need some help if anyone has any experience with Mariners (115 Mariner to be specific) or outboards in general. I was on the lake a little over a week ago going close to full throttle when the engine died on me, I restarted and went about another half mile and it died again. I then saw some oil in the water. I used my trolling motor to get back to the ramp. The problem was the hose coming from my oil pump to the fuel pump had broke loose (dry rotted). I replaced the hose and took it back out yesterday and it seemed fine at first but then it died about 10 minutes in, then it started to make the rattling sound like noisy lifters. I got it back home and took off the hose that I replaced and it was full of oil. So it seems that on the second trip, I was getting oil mixed just fine. But I think I'm hosed from driving it the half mile or so with it off on the first trip. Is there anything else I can try before taking it somewhere? Is there any engine restorer or anything else I can try. I know it's a long shot, but I have nothing to lose at this point.

Thanks in Advance..

Todd2

[Hitman]

Welcome to the worst thing Mercury ever designed. That silly little hose off of the oil pump that mixes the oil into the gas is beyond all of the sensors that tell you if your getting oil. I have seen this happen many times and all with the same results, scored or scuffed cylinder walls and pistons. Straight gas will lubricate a motor enough .....at dead idle but at W.O.T. well maybe a few minutes until all the reside oil in the engine block gets washed out completely. Comprisson test may tell you how bad , but as for any kind of engine restore, I think about now that would be called a good tech, with a very good machine shop, sorry to say. Good Luck

Hitman

[Todd2]

Yeah, I figured that would be the answer. I guess it can be a lesson for others to always check their hoses on a regular basis... Thanks for the info...