Oil analysis

[alanporter]

A fellow yachtsman has suggested that we all ought to have our engine oil analysed periodically. My engine is a five year old Isuzu three cyl diesel with less than 600 hours running. Could any engineers out there comment please ?

<hr width=100% size=1>Alan Porter

 

[oldharry]

What for? Engine oil analysis is a useful fault finding tool, but modern diesels are sufficiently well made to run for a great many years without problems, provided they are given adequate maintenance. Many diesel taxis run for 3-400,000 miles and engine oil analysis is definitely not part of the average taxi maintenance schedule!

Its is said that the majority of marine diesels are replaced because of corrosion problems, long before they wear out.

<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[mikewilkes]

We have our engine oil done once a month for the EMD's at work and it has proved to be very worthwhile. OK we dont pay for it, personally, but it does show up the problem areas.

<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[Trevor_swfyc]

So you have your oil tested what action do you take on the results?

I cannot see the point for Mr Joe average boat owner who would have to pay for the analysis, far better to spend the money on oil. I cannot imagine anybody other than a race team or fleet operator stripping down an engine because they have a higher Al or Fe content than usual in the oil.

So my opinion don't waste your money change the oil once a year, best to do that pre-haulout so the engine sits in new luboil.

Trevor



<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[pvb]

What a load of b***ocks...

Have you ever heard of any car owner having their oil analysed? Exactly. You change the oil at the recommended intervals, and you get on with your life.

<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[andy_wilson]

I would suggest that if your engine is a known quantity then don't bother.

If you have bought it old and second-hand, overheated it, had fuel related problems or ever chartered out the yacht then an analysis might make wothwhile reading.

I've had mine done, twice in my first year of ownership (newish oil and just before oil change time) and I now know that my engine is fairly worn out in places (over 5,000 hours) and therefore will continue to check it every couple of seasons. That way I recon I can have the lump overhauled before major damage occurs to the bores and/or the crankshaft.

<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[vyv_cox]

We use oil condition monitoring for a wide variety of rotating equipment that runs constantly. On these machines the same oil is normally run for 5 - 6 years. Typical sampling interval is one month, at which time some additional 700 hours have been consumed. My boat engine has not yet run 400 hours in three years, during which the oil has been changed 5 or 6 times. It doesn't run long enough on the same oil to make monitoring worthwhile and the chances of picking up a genuine problem are negligible. Oil condition monitoring would be a complete waste of time and money.

<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[alanporter]

Thank you for your responses. Your advice much appreciated.

<hr width=100% size=1>Alan Porter

 

[anderson]

hi alan used to work for esso many years ago, the only thing a chemist will tell you is water contnet, carbon conten,ash content,viscosity at time of test, will you be any wiser. use the lube as the engine maker says, if the engine is non turbo do not use turbo oil as this can cause more wear in the engine

<hr width=100% size=1>