[C320-list] Engine oil usage

[Robert Seastream]

Hmm.  You have a much older hull number, but the same engine as I.  I  
have close to 500 hours on my engine and seem to have used about a  
pint of oil this season.  I don't have the seasons running hours for  
comparison.  I run 15W40 in my year 2002 engine, as the manufacturer  
specifies.  I presume you mean you're using Delco SAE 10-30 oil, which  
is probably what was spec'd for your engine when it was built and is  
virtually the same as my oil.

I'm not a mechanic, but generally speaking when engines begin 'using'  
too much oil they need either a ring or valve job.  A ring job is  
particularly indicated if you see blue smoke in your exhaust, which  
means the oil is getting past the rings on the pistons and down into  
the cylinder where it is burned along with the fuel.  Your mechanic  
seems to be taking the path of least resistance, since further  
investigation would cost money.  While that's commendable, an ounce  
per hour seems a bit excessive.  You might have to be a bit more  
aggressive if you want him to look further.  Properly maintained,  
diesel engines can last thousands of hours, so your engine is quite  
young.

Bob Seastream
Intuition # 906


On Aug 25, 2009, at 2:06 AM, Ed Edwards wrote:

> I am curious about my engine oil consumpyion.  REBOUND is is hull #  
> 347 with
> a Yanmar 3GM.  I have 1400 hours and it has been maintained  
> professionally.
> It runs great, I had the MAX-prop repitched with a max rpm of 3600  
> and I
> cruise at 2800 rpms.  My mechanic isn't concerned about the oil  
> usage, which
> has been consistant since I got the boat 4 years ago, 400 hours  
> ago.  I am
> going through a little more than 1 ounce per cruising (motoring)  
> hour.  This
> seems a little excessive to me, more than anything its just a pain  
> topping
> of every day or two when we are cruising.  Most of the time it's not  
> a big
> issue when I'm motoring out into the bay and back for a race.
>
> I use Delo SAE 100 - 30.
>
> Does this consumption  rate sound normal.  I'm not too worried yet  
> but when
> my oil consumption exceeds my beer consumption, I'll be forced into  
> action.
>
> Ed Edwards,  REBOUND  #347