Columbus Day weekend

I'm in Maine. Gayle and I go every fall. If I ever want to consider that new boat I need to take care if the boss.
 
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Originally posted by Audrey II

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Originally posted by Robyns Nest

I'm not doing my oil this year. No way near the hours needed to change it.

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Not using the boat and having condensation in the oil is a problem! I can life when the expense of oil and filters each year. Cost about $300 to change the oil and filters just over with all the fuel filters as well. In the overall scheme of things it's a small price for peace of mind.

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The new oil can condensate as well.

Doesn't matter for me since I run my engine block heaters all winters. It keeps the motor + of 100 degrees continually. Not much condensation going on there.
 
I change my oil every year. This summer is the first summer I did not get to go on a big boat trip. With that, I probably only put on 20 hours max on my Cummins 480's. I'm interested in hearing any more thoughts on NOT changing the oil because of limited use. Thanks
 
On Boatdiesel in the Cummins forum there is a thread about oil changes. Tony Athens says it is a waste of money to change your oil every year.
 
It may be a waste of money but considering the cost of these motors I like to keep them happy! I had a car for 7 years it held 10 quarts of synthetic oil that was good for 10k miles I only put 15k on the car the entire time I owned it but I still changed the oil every other year.
 
+1. A small price to pay for piece of mind. I always change oil regardless of hours.
 
Having spent $20k+ last year for a new motor, $300 or so for an oil change is pocket change in comparison.
 
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Originally posted by jmeirhofer

Having spent $20k+ last year for a new motor, $300 or so for an oil change is pocket change in comparison.

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Was the oil the problem for the rebuild?
 
Tony Athens is a very knowledgeable guy but I have never heard of any mechanic who I knew personally that did not recommend changing oil at least annually. My diesel guys recommended 100 hours or annually and they weren't the guys doing it.

As others have said, I thought it cheap insurance.

In the grand scheme of things, if you have a boat worth 20k, 50k, 100k or more, what's another $300?
 
Just to give you an idea what the real world does when it comes to oil changes.

My company operates a fleet of 1600 refrigerated 53' Trailers. Those trailers each have a reefer unit on the front of them. The manufacturer, Carrier, recommends that the units go 2500 hours between oil changes. The units last 25,000 hours.

Compare that to what we do in our boats and you can see the big difference between commercial application and weekend warrior application.

I don't see the big deal to letting 50-100 hour oil sit in the bottom of the oil pan for 5-6 months.
 
I have noticed that when I change my oil, after about 15 seconds of running the engine with the new oil, it is as black as the old stuff was... Only have 40 hours on mine -not changing it this year.
 
Jonathan,

IMO the real world and the marine environment are two different things. Just like continuous duty vs. the 40-100 hours most boaters do in a season. If there were no difference, marine diesels would last 25,000 hours without needing a rebuild rather than 3,000.
 
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Originally posted by mintregila

Jonathan,

IMO the real world and the marine environment are two different things. Just like continuous duty vs. the 40-100 hours most boaters do in a season. If there were no difference, marine diesels would last 25,000 hours without needing a rebuild rather than 3,000.

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Even if you take 1/10th you are looking at 250 hours.

If you have a low HP diesel with no turbo you might get that kind of duty out of it. How many hours are ferrys putting on the boats a year?
 
I'm sure ferries put lots of hours on because they are always running just like trucks.

Everyone does whatever they think best. I just think it seems silly to have a valuable asset and fret over spending $300 when the cost of repairs is so high.

Sorry to be so far off topic.

We had a great Columbus Day WE and hope everyone else did as well. :)
 
quote:
Originally posted by HOGAN

On Boatdiesel in the Cummins forum there is a thread about oil changes. Tony Athens says it is a waste of money to change your oil every year.

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And he is an authority on this?
Sorry, but as a guy that when younger tore apart and rebuilt motors, I disagree. And even if it was a 50/50 consensus, I would exercise on the side of caution and change the oil. Hey, you want to be cheap, change the oil, drain the filters and reuse the filters. Forgot the technical term for why you need to change the oil, its not the viscosity break down, or the oil is dirty, its because of something else that I cant remember right now. :)
 
Actually, Walter, he IS an authority. You should join that site now that you have diesels.
 
There is one way to know for sure and that would be to send out an oil sample.

There is no better way to tell if the oil is spent and needs changing.
 
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Originally posted by HOGAN

Actually, Walter, he IS an authority. You should join that site now that you have diesels.

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Will, do, thanks
 
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