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06-07-2017, 11:42
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#1
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Registered User
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Miami
Boat: Boatless
Posts: 608
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Engine Oil Change Frequency
When I lived in the North and the boat was hauled each fall I'd change the oil, both engine and gear box. I'd generally have run 50-60 hours each season. But now I'm in the South and in the water all year. I only put 35-40 hours on the engine per year. Should I still change annually or wait until I get to some hour mark, e.g 75 hours, before doing so? Also, if I use synthetic oil can I hold off longer on time before an oil change?
Thank you for your thoughts.
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06-07-2017, 11:53
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#2
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Registered User
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: Oregon
Boat: Seafarer36c
Posts: 5,563
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Re: Engine Oil Change Frequency
Do you think you get more moisture in the crankcase now or before? Water makes acid and such. The molecules in the oil itself only break up from wear I believe.
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06-07-2017, 12:10
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#3
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Registered User
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: Wherever the wind takes me
Boat: Bristol 41.1
Posts: 1,006
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Re: Engine Oil Change Frequency
Yanmar Manual states: "every 250 hours or 1 year" after the first initial oil change.
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06-07-2017, 13:30
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#4
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Senior Cruiser
Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: Cruising the northern Bahamas until June
Boat: Leopard 40 2009
Posts: 593
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Re: Engine Oil Change Frequency
So what engine do you have and what does the manufacturer say? For example, my Universal/Westebeke manual says to change engine oil and filter every 100 hours and transmission every 250 hours, after the first time each at 50 hours. Seems like 50 or 75 hours is way overkill, but follow the manual. I'm no diesel mechanic, but you may find one to chat up at the local yard. I'll bet that synthetic is just wasted money for a small diesel and you'd be better off spending that on better quality beer.
__________________
John Trusty
Better to trust the man who is frequently in error than the one who is never in doubt." -- Eric Sevareid
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06-07-2017, 20:28
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#5
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Registered User
Join Date: Jun 2017
Location: Subic Bay Philippines
Posts: 539
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Re: Engine Oil Change Frequency
Cant go wrong following the manufactures advice but changing more frequently wont hurt either, in our fleet we change @150 hrs (manufacturers recommendation was 250 hrs), since doing this we have gained on average up to 5000 Hrs of engine life in some cases, (our vessels normally run hard and 24/7).
Changing @ 75 hours sounds like way to soon, some older small engines dont have oil filters and therefore yes 75 hours would be good for that.
Even if not used frequently I would change seasonally as sitting around in the sump oil will degrade over time due to water/acids forming once used.
I would also change the coolant (if used?) every second year (max 3) as coolant turns very acidic over time (especially just sitting)and find this is one of the most over looked item in smaller privately owned vessels.
I would stay with conventional oil (good quality) as the synthetics really dont do to much in smaller engines to justify the additional cost
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06-07-2017, 22:35
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#6
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cruiser
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Pangaea
Posts: 10,856
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Re: Engine Oil Change Frequency
The Yanmar oil gets changed once per year, less than 250 hours. The same with our Westerbeke generator. Takes less than an hour to do both.
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06-07-2017, 22:58
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#7
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Registered User
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: Nelson NZ; boat in Coffs Harbour
Boat: 45ft Ketch
Posts: 1,559
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Re: Engine Oil Change Frequency
Depends on usage.
Some long haul trucks on easy runs change every 400 hours while the same truck with heavy loads & steep grades it might be 200hours.
One critical thing is to see the engine oil regularly gets warm enough for long enough to evaporate condensation.
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06-07-2017, 23:12
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#8
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Moderator
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Denmark (Winter), Helsinki (Summer); Cruising the Baltic Sea this year!
Boat: Cutter-Rigged Moody 54
Posts: 33,764
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Re: Engine Oil Change Frequency
Quote:
Originally Posted by DumnMad
One critical thing is to see the engine oil regularly gets warm enough for long enough to evaporate condensation.
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Is this realistic? Mine goes through a cooler and never seems to get warmer than lukewarm.
I change every 100 or every 6 months. Whichever comes first.
__________________
"You sea! I resign myself to you also . . . . I guess what you mean,
I behold from the beach your crooked inviting fingers,
I believe you refuse to go back without feeling of me;
We must have a turn together . . . . I undress . . . . hurry me out of sight of the land,
Cushion me soft . . . . rock me in billowy drowse,
Dash me with amorous wet . . . . I can repay you."
Walt Whitman
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06-07-2017, 23:25
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#9
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Registered User
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: Nelson NZ; boat in Coffs Harbour
Boat: 45ft Ketch
Posts: 1,559
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Re: Engine Oil Change Frequency
Quote:
Originally Posted by Dockhead
Is this realistic? Mine goes through a cooler and never seems to get warmer than lukewarm.
I change every 100 or every 6 months. Whichever comes first.
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Can't see anything wrong with that.
OTOH if you were motorsailing days on end with a good engine, then 400hrs would work well.
An old engine with blow-back - more frequently.
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07-07-2017, 08:22
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#10
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Registered User
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Longboat Key, FL, USA
Boat: 1988 Hunter Legend 35
Posts: 42
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Re: Engine Oil Change Frequency
As I understand it, diesels are liable to have much more carbon in the oil which is not so good to leave lying in the crank case during the off season as it can join with any condensate to form acid.
I change oil and filter at the end of every season even though I put max 20-30 hrs in a season (off/on the hook and maybe a jaunt around NYC harbour), quite honestly it's a small price to pay for peace of mind.
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07-07-2017, 08:24
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#11
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Registered User
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: Los Angeles Harbor
Posts: 223
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Re: Engine Oil Change Frequency
The best way to know what's happening with the engine and oil is send it for testing. I use Blackstone Labs, very reliable. Otherwise, every 250/once a year.
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07-07-2017, 08:31
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#12
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Registered User
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: Vancouver Island
Boat: Hallberg Rassy Rasmus 35
Posts: 92
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Re: Engine Oil Change Frequency
Quote:
Originally Posted by Dockhead
Is this realistic? Mine goes through a cooler and never seems to get warmer than lukewarm.
I change every 100 or every 6 months. Whichever comes first.
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I would be concerned running an engine on luke warm oil. Engine oil needs to reach an operating temp of 150-180 degrees to work effectively.
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07-07-2017, 09:15
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#13
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Registered User
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: Guilford, CT
Boat: Bristol 35.5 1978
Posts: 743
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Re: Engine Oil Change Frequency
My 1978 W30 westerbeke manual recommends changing engine oil every 250 hrs or annually. Use manual recommended oil changed at end of every season along w/ filter. Engine has been rebuilt once by PO approximately late 1990's (no receipts). Currently about 2400 hrs on meter. Compression check 2.5 yrs ago (when purchased) was good and consistent across all 4 cylinders. Hoping she lasts another 20, years that is..
thnks
dave
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07-07-2017, 09:20
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#14
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Moderator
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Denmark (Winter), Helsinki (Summer); Cruising the Baltic Sea this year!
Boat: Cutter-Rigged Moody 54
Posts: 33,764
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Re: Engine Oil Change Frequency
Quote:
Originally Posted by wedivebc
I would be concerned running an engine on luke warm oil. Engine oil needs to reach an operating temp of 150-180 degrees to work effectively.
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Well, it was designed that way by Yanmar.
It does make me somewhat nervous, however, and it's one reason why i change the oil frequently.
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07-07-2017, 09:29
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#15
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Registered User
Join Date: Apr 2006
Posts: 4,413
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Re: Engine Oil Change Frequency
Every 80 hrs or so. Fresh oil before winter lay up.
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