Oil change nightmare

[POG]

Henri and Randy,

Great information.  I don't have time to remove the panel and jack up the engine right now, but I will.

I would use a manual pump. Simple is better.  The Beta Marine engines come with the pump and connection to the oil drain plug already installed on their Kubota engine blocks.  Good idea!

What sort of hose did you connect to the barbed angle Henri?  I would imagine it has to be something quite heat resistant and have a plug at the end to keep the oil pressure from sagging when running the engine.  I think I would be inclined to use a banjo nut and metal tube unless you can persuade me that you have a better idea.

Carl    

[Jim Cozy]

Just to add another element to the engine service difficulties--- I found the dipstick too inconvient for regular checking (an ablolute must for me) so I bought a long universal dipstick at NAPA and extended the dipstick tube with a water supply line from the hardware, joining them with a short length of 3/8 fuel hose. The upper end of the extended dipstick tube is attached to the forward inboard corner of the port cockpit locker, so I now check the oil from that point, each time before starting the engine. A further advantage is that I attach my Mueller vacume oil extracter at the same point; lots easier!!! Jim

[Henri Hali]

Jim & Carl:
I like your idea about the dip stick. I've seen several slightly different approaches but yours is the simplest. I may be able to squeeze it in before launching.

As previously posted, removing oil from the dip stick tube limits you from getting the bulk of it out of the oil pan since that is the high side.

I don't know if the hose is high temp since it came with the kit. I would think it is. It came with a factory installed fitting with the male end a 3/8 flare fitting. In my book nothing is better than a flare connection. My prejudice may be due to my early HVAC days.
Oil pressure should not be a problem. The oil pan as best I know has no pressure in it. It's just a reservoir for the oil. The pressure is on the down stream side of the engine's oil pump.

I agree a small manual pump is the better choice, but I got the kit at a really good price. And besides, as the adv says, pressing the button on the top of the pump,  hearing the wherrrr, and seeing the oil running into the gallon milk jug....... "PRICELESS!"


Henri

[Henri Hali]

Oops................

Make that a female fitting on the hose! the male is on the tank.

[RayNWanda]

You can also go to a truck repair shop and buy a long dipstick tube. The tube can be bent and cut to length as needed. They have long dipsticks too, although it will be marked for something else. Make sure the engine is on the full mark before you start changing parts. The new tube can be attached to the original with a compression union. Then cut the stick to length and mark the full level. You will need to taper the end of the stick with a file to get it to slide in the tube and go through the union without hanging up. I believe Rich did this on the original Third Day. Seems like he bent the tube so that he could check the oil by opening the door for engine access. With a long dipstick tube, I would suggest mounting it to prevent vibration form breaking it. Vibrations can be funny- it might be OK at most rpm's, then go nuts at a certain rpm. Having it break off at the engine block would not be a pretty picture.

[S/V Deo Volente]

Once a year (fall) I do a really good oil change, either by pouring in a warm quart of oil to dilute what's left, and then pump it out, or a second oil change right after the first. I know I use more oil that way but I like knowing the acids and such are out for the winter.

[SailingSeaDragon]

Check out this discussion threat, including the video by MaineSail about half way through the thread.

http://forums.sbo.sailboatowners.com/showthread.php?t=139492

Garner

[skier842]

I found a little easier way to check the oil. I remove the ladder, take off the engine cover, open the front of the engine door. Then I can reach down to the dip stick and pull it out to check the level. To put it back in I use my fingers to guide the dip stick into the dip stick tube and push the stick back in. It's better than cleaning out the under sink cabinet to get at the dip stick. and putting all the stuff all back.

George