Excessive Oil Use 97 GTS

[Jmerchant]

Just bought a pair of 97 GTS' w/ 85 hp engines, one smokes terribly when 1st cranked, after running a few minutes, it does ok, but cut it off for more than a few minutes and same problem again. it also leaks oil badly but I have been unable to determine where (Not the hoses or connections), and it leaks until its almost empty. What all could cause this.

[Bill O'Neal]

If it leaks into the bottom of the hull you need to locate the leak and fix it. Sounds like your leak is internal in the motor from a bad crankcase center seal. The engine needs to come apart to fix this, as does the crankshaft. The two seals at the center of the crank retain the oil that is inside of the motor in the rotary valve shaft/gear drive area of the crankcases. When they go bad, oil seeps into the crankcases. When you start it after sitting, it blows lots of smoke until it burns it away. It will only get worse, can lock up the motor with a hydrolock, and can cause bent rods. Get the crankshaft rebuilt with new seals.