Oil change Perkins 6.354

[petehoehill]

I am a new boater and still learning.
I have a 36 foot home build boat,(1989) which I have not built, but just bought.
I have so far spent a small fortune, and a lot of time working on it myself, to get it to the stage of going back in the water next week.
The engineer who has done a refit of the cooling and fuel system, told me that the next thing is to put it in the water and run the engine up to temperature, then do an oil and filter change.
the problem I have, is on a cars, very easy, just take out the sump bolt drop the oil and flush etc, then put it back change the filter and refill.
looking at this big lump of and engine in the bottom of the engine space does not look so easy.
Any suggestions ? i don't even know if I can get at the bottom sump bolt, and we are talking 3 gallons of oil to come out and replace.
I know I also need to change the fresh cooling water, and put new antifreeze in for winter,suggestions for an easy way to do that also welcome.

It is an old 6 cylinder perkins 6.354 straight diesel, 5.8 litre.
As far as i am aware had a majotr overhaul 1400 hours ago,
pressures good, exhaust good, it starts first time, and I understand a very good reliable engine if looked after.

 

[No1_Moose]

You need to get a Pela vacuum pump from your local friendly chandlery, just poke the tube down the dipstick pump the handle a few times and voila, oil. There are two models, the round "football" size pump and the other a tall cylinder (both are 6litres capacity). The football one is best imho because before long you will be using the pump to suck water e.t.c from every possible place on the boat and the cylinder one is a bit tall to get into the tight spots.

 

[PCUK]

You might want to consider a permanently plumbed-in oil pump out system for future use. It is connected into the sump plug hole and the gearbox drain. Engine or gearbox are then selected by opening the appropriate valve. Makes draining and filling a doddle. Also allows oil topping up when under way with engine running.
By the way, what sort of boat is it? Home builds are usually far more interesting than all the same old production line stuff.

 

[ColinHuggins]

Recently 'graduated' from stand back 'n watch with chequebook in hand to DIY action. Will PM with a few tips from hindsight!
CJH

 

[Andrew_Fanner]

Run the engine until it is warm and then leave it for 30 minutes or so. The oil will come out far more easily.

Round Pela does make an excellent little pump for those dribbles in the bilge.

 

[alb40]

My 6354's have a sump pump attached to their side to pump out the oil. If you do not have this, just get one of the little brass pumps from a local swindlery and stick the pipe down the dipstick hole.

The oil capacity will depend on what sump is fitted, but mine takes about 10 litres.

As for changing the coolant, just find the lowest pipe on the water pump, and take the hose off, then reattach and refill it. Some engines have drain cocks on them, but its easier to reach the hose /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Mine are on 1500 hours now since rebuild. Still start first time every time, with less smoke than any volvo. Mine are the turbo 175hp jobs.

 

[pheran]

Accepting that the 'football' Pela is perhaps a tad more convenient, the vertical one is in fact a much better engineered bit of kit. The pump design is completely different, and much more efficient, hence the price differential. Any space restrictions (I haven't found any) can be easily overcome by simply extending the pick-up pipe.