Oil sample question on a boat that is for sale

[Bob Quinn]

Hi guys, I have a boat I am interested in, not going to say what boat for the sake of the seller.

Here is what I know: Oil has not been changed in 10 years, reportedly the boat has had very little use during that time. Exact hours are not know but assuming "guessing" maybe 100 or 200 hours.
Based on the condition of the boat, the owner is not one to let things go.

One engine showed high lead content that raised a red flag.

One transmission showed visible metal flakes in the oil, but otherwise the reading were o.k.

Looking for you opinions, I am not sure if anything positive or negative could be drawn from this.

It almost seems that all oils would have to be changed, run the boat for 100 hours then recheck all the oils to get any definitive results.

Do I make a move on this boat? If all is well, then great! If all is not well, I could be looking at $30k motor rebuild and $15k (guess) transmission rebuild. Does this sound logical?

Your thoughts?

Thank you!

[GCSI]

Bob: If it were me, I would:
- Change all oils, run @ load for at least one hour
- Change all oils, run at load for at least an hour, pull samples.
- Change all oils, run it like you stole it for at least 5 hrs, then sample oil at 25 hrs run time.

The first sample should catch any “leaks” of seawater or coolant that may be getting into engines.
Obviously, if an anomaly is detected, the problem is repaired and process begins anew.
I’d be particularly interested in the delta between the 2nd and 3rd oil samples with respect to wear
metals.
Brett

[Pascal]

Confused... you said that based on condition of the boat the owner isn’t one to let things go yet the oil is 10 years old with unknown hours??? Doesn’t get much worst... hell of a red flag !!

Did you do a sea trials? How do they run

Unless the price is great and allows for rebuilding the engines and that one gear, I d run

[jim rosenthal]

What about getting an engine survey? Inc the generator.

[Glory]

You mentioned metal flakes in the trans? That cannot be good.

Get a pro to evaluate the machinery.

[Bob Quinn]

You mentioned metal flakes in the trans? That cannot be good.

Get a pro to evaluate the machinery.

I wouldn't think so. The only two times I have seen metal flakes in oil were just before having to order two new motors. But those were motors, maybe old transmissions can have some flake without being bad, I don't know what the internals look like, I assume just a bunch of big gears and some kind of clutch. Possibly the transmissions could be a little more resilient to debris than a motor. Perhaps a call to Allison transmission might be in order.

[Bob Quinn]

What about getting an engine survey? Inc the generator.

I was thinking that, but my question is how much can they tell from an engine survey? Can they tell if crank mains or rod bearings are going bad? I would think that other than oil samples the only way to know would be physical inspection?

Bob

[Bob Quinn]

Confused... you said that based on condition of the boat the owner isn’t one to let things go yet the oil is 10 years old with unknown hours??? Doesn’t get much worst... hell of a red flag !!

Did you do a sea trials? How do they run

Unless the price is great and allows for rebuilding the engines and that one gear, I d run

Well yes that confused me as well. No I have not done sea trials. My understanding is that everything runs good.

[Captain Ralph]

Notable lead in the oil is pretty serious.
Zero that engine. Bearings are gone.
Even if you rebuild the block, all the hang on stuff will need updating also.
When finished, you just put together another OLD engine.

You did not indicate if magnetic or non-magnetic flakes in the clutches.
Non-magnetic from the packs, magnetic from the chunk.
Clutches may be salvageable, here your still just patching them.
The newer ZFs are so much better.
Better yet with a down angle.

Old gas gen-set? UG, you really want to risk lives?

From what I have read, keep walking or win the LOTTO.

I recomend new power with fuel injection and all new ancillaries. With new clutches. All with warranties and maybe you can get some reliable time on her this year (pending the rest of the boats survey).
New FI gen-set also.

Is re-powering with diesels way out of the question?

Not only do I enjoy spending other peoples money, I like to hear they came back safe.

[Byresch]

Hi guys, I have a boat I am interested in, not going to say what boat for the sake of the seller.

Here is what I know: Oil has not been changed in 10 years, reportedly the boat has had very little use during that time. Exact hours are not know but assuming "guessing" maybe 100 or 200 hours.
Based on the condition of the boat, the owner is not one to let things go.

One engine showed high lead content that raised a red flag.

One transmission showed visible metal flakes in the oil, but otherwise the reading were o.k.

Looking for you opinions, I am not sure if anything positive or negative could be drawn from this.

It almost seems that all oils would have to be changed, run the boat for 100 hours then recheck all the oils to get any definitive results.

Do I make a move on this boat? If all is well, then great! If all is not well, I could be looking at $30k motor rebuild and $15k (guess) transmission rebuild. Does this sound logical?

Your thoughts?

Thank you!

I would think if in 10 years they haven't done an oil change they haven't done anything else either. I would think a responsible owner would change the oil at least. I'd be scared to death of this boat.