Oil analysis

M

Maxwell

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Hi Guys,

We are getting closer to pulling the trigger on a new to us (2007) boat. As part of the survey an oil analysis will be done. I am pretty sure the current owner changed the oil prior to winter lay up. Would whether an oil change was completed or not have an effect on the results of the analysis? I would imagine that if the fluids were changed, we would run the engines for awhile prior to taking a sample but I'm not sure. If I am incorrect and the oil was not changed prior to lay up what effect would this have on results?

Thanks for your input.

max
 
The oil analysis would not be much good if the oil was changed and now the engine has sat. You would need to run the engine but when I've done oil analysis in the past on my cars, I always done it after 1500 miles or so. If you only run the engines for a few hours, I doubt the analysis would be of much good unless there is a major problem with the engine which would allow coolant (or water) to get into the oil.

The analysis will show metals in the oil along with chemicals from coolants.
 
I guess if something drastic was wrong it would show up other than that it wouldn't be much good. Run the engine(s) as much as you can before the sample.

Good Luck
Niles
 
Absent a bigtime engine failure any oil analysis is only as helpful as the record of what previous analysis has shown. Only by comparison with previous situations can one judge whether or not any changes can be potentially harmful. The examination is looking for changes in the metallic deposits in the oil as well as the overall quality of the oil. A recent change of oil will naturally wipe out any comparison capability. Suggest you spend some time seeking the earlier total engine maintenance records. Good Luck, Enjoy.
 
Diesel or Gas. For gas you can pass on the oil test as you can easily test the motor to see if it is up to par.

Diesel is almost required. Ask the own to provide you with his oil sample history. If it is diesel, he should have it.

Good luck.
 
Thanks for the input guys. Sorry I wasn't clear on diesel or gas. It has twin Volvo IPS 500 with under 200 hrs. Once we are closer to inking a deal I will inquire whether the current owner has previous analysis. If not is it still worth me getting them done now to identify if there is anything major that is wrong with the engines and also so I have a baseline to start from moving forward?

max
 
I would ask for past reports. If there are none, I'd be a bit leary depending on the shape of the bilge. Look for all possible neglect. Given the oil was changed prior to layup at least you know that much was done. How many hours on the engines?
Personally I would pull the oil myself and send it out. If the boat will be launched wait and run them hard for a while before samplling and get a hot sample.
 
Oil analysis is a tricking thing. We do it all the time to monitor the condition of our equipment. You will want to look at all of the analysis results but if the oil was changed and no run time since then you might as well take the sample out of a new bottle of oil. Even with no past history you will still be able to analyze the results. I would start tracking results and then you may see a trend. Not sure about Volvo however I bet you could ask them what the results mean. You are really looking for wear material from bearings, liners, rings etc. Those will show up at some level most of the time. A good analysis should show you the results and also give you recommendations if any.
 
I would bet a donut that the previous owner did not sample as there was at most only 2 oil changes since new. The motors only have 200 hours on them.

Ken
 
I disagree with not performing oil analysis of a gasser. I recently had elevated copper levels on my gasser that turned out to be a deteriorating oil cooler. No normal mechanic's analysis would show that, and indeed if the cooler had failed, it would have allowed raw water in the oil with catastrophic results.
 
quote:
Originally posted by boatbum

I would ask for past reports. If there are none, I'd be a bit leary depending on the shape of the bilge. Look for all possible neglect. Given the oil was changed prior to layup at least you know that much was done. How many hours on the engines?
Personally I would pull the oil myself and send it out. If the boat will be launched wait and run them hard for a while before samplling and get a hot sample.

Click to expand...


Decent advice, but the boat is a 2007 with 200 hours and likely located here on the Great Lakes in freshwater. I doubt theres much to see in the bilge besides some clean corrosion free engines that recently got out of the factory warranty.
 
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