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DIY oil change with integral "oil change system" procedure ?

  • Thread starter Thread starter Milacron
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Milacron

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I can't point to a specific boat or specific oil change system yet (other than to say it is not AlgaeX !) but wonder about any general tips on changing oil in dual 12v71TA's if there is an oil pump out system in place.

And would the Onan 20Kw generator tend to be plumbed into the same system.. or separate ? Also any Racor fuel filter change tips ? Or, if all this too non specific or too much typing for a forum post, recommended books on the subject ?
 
On our 54, there is a four way manifold. 1 position for each engine and one for the genny. I have set up a quick connect with hose to use the 4th for the trannies. I have also installed a deck plate in the ER vent so I can run a hose outside the boat to the dock for emptying the into containers off the boat. I am going to rig a remote switch so I can do changes solo. The switch will also go out the deck plate with the hose.

The system was on the boat when we bought it but I think it is a Reverso. It is 24 volt DC.

The only tip I have for fuel filter replacement is to go as slow as you can. Shove the new one in too fast and get a face full of diesel...
 
Peter has it right. The hardest part of a DIY oil change is getting the dirty oil off the boat and disposing it. Extending the discharge hose to the dock and using a remote switch to energize the pump is the simplest method. My only addition to what Peter says is do only one engine/genny/transmission [on mine all are plumbed to the Reverso] at a time. Keep track of how much oil you remove and refill promptly.

As for the Racor filter change, I always drain about a cup or so from the bowl before removing the old filter. I ususally pour that back into the tank. Have a couple of gallons of clean diesel [or better yet Diesel Kleen] on hand to refill the Racor after inserting the new filter. Always change the O-rings on the lid and T-handle. Then start the engine and let it run to make sure you've gotten all the air out of the Racor.
 
I bring an empty 5gal pail or two from a previous oil change and pump the old oil from an engine into them, I then take them to the marina's oil disposal tank and dump them. Then back to the boat to empty the other engine/genny. Then I either pour or pump the new oil into the engine, whatever seems easiest at the time. If the new oil is in one gal containers, it's easier to pour it in. If it's in 5 gal containers, it's easier to pump it in.

I don't think that any of these vintage boats came with oil pumps from Hatt so if one is present, it was added by a PO and how it is plumbed and whether the Genny is included may vary. Our system ORIGINALLY was plumbed to include the Genny but when the PO installed a new NL 16KW Genny, he did not connect it to the pump system. Since it doesn't hold all that much anyway, I think it's easier to change it right there at the Genny with a regular oil-change pan than it would be to mess with the pump back in the engine room.
 
For your 1st change on a 1271, I would take 4 empty 5 gal buckets(tops on and secure). The engine holds just shy of 10 gal and the trans about 3 gal. I would drain one side engine/trans then refill from pump. Repeat with other side. I would do gens last. You need CF2 40wt oil for the detroits, I use 5 gal buckets from NAPA. For the Onan, I use Rotella T 15-40 and I purchase that by the gal. I found it is easier to drain the gen with the pump but fill it at the engine.

Depending on the setup, you may have racors and the stock filters which are a PITA. I would have a few gal of diesel on hand in case the prime pump fails(or there is not one)

I keep a box of nitrile gloves on hand(change often) and plenty of rags.
 
If I am going to use the oil change pump to pump the oil back into the engine, I will drain all of the oil from the engine, then put a couple off quarts of clean oil in the engine from the fill tube, then use the pump to drain it out. I am trying to get all of the used oil out of the pump lines.

I will also use a different hose from the pump to the buckets for draining and filling to try to keep from pushing the old oil back into the engine.
 
thoward said:
For your 1st change on a 1271, I would take 4 empty 5 gal buckets(tops on and secure). The engine holds just shy of 10 gal and the trans about 3 gal. I would drain one side engine/trans then refill from pump. Repeat with other side. I would do gens last. You need CF2 40wt oil for the detroits, I use 5 gal buckets from NAPA. For the Onan, I use Rotella T 15-40 and I purchase that by the gal. I found it is easier to drain the gen with the pump but fill it at the engine.

Depending on the setup, you may have racors and the stock filters which are a PITA. I would have a few gal of diesel on hand in case the prime pump fails(or there is not one)

I keep a box of nitrile gloves on hand(change often) and plenty of rags.
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Great sounding advice.... except the math doesn't seem to work on the 4 empty 5 gallon buckets...or is it that you also use the buckets from the new oil as those are emptied ? Wonder how much oil the Onan 20Kw uses ?

Sounds like the biggest PITA of the whole affair is getting rid of the old oil...especially if there is no good way to pump it directly to containers already sitting on the dock...or is there always a way provided to do that .. an "oil out" hose connection on the transom ? Seems like that would be a major plus versus carrying full 5 gallon buckets up the steps, over salon carpet, down transom ladder, etc. Presume you'd need someone on the dock on the VHF or cellphone to communicate how close the bucket was to full, yes ?
 
Milacron I have to ask, what is the nature of this question? It does not seem you intend to actually do this yourself. Are you writing a book?
 
Finalee said:
Milacron I have to ask, what is the nature of this question? It does not seem you intend to actually do this yourself. Are you writing a book?
Click to expand...

Its called "how to work on things that you've never seen".

But seriously I would not buy a boat if it didnt have the oil change pump system plumbed correctly.
 
Milacron said:
No you don't. Offer actual advice as the previous posters have... or go away.
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Take your own advice. Go away. Stay away. Stop asking questions for the sake of reading your own posts. Take your swinbo and buy a bayliner. You Will Fit In Better there.
 
Boatsb said:
Take your own advice. Go away. Stay away. Stop asking questions for the sake of reading your own posts. Take your swinbo and buy a bayliner. You Will Fit In Better there.
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As I've said numerous times, if you see my name at the start of a topic, DON'T READ IT. But then you say you're having too much fun playing with me. But now you want me to go away....are you schizophrenic ? Actually now I'm just playing with you two.

The topic was going just fine, with info not only useful to me but probably others as well. But as per usual you two can't resist going into troll mode and trying to stir up trouble. Keep it up, I don't care... I'm just calling you on it for the rest to see.
 
Maybe a carver or a cruisers.

Bluewater?
 
Boatsb said:
Maybe a carver or a cruisers.

Bluewater?
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Well I have to admit that is funny. Carver is a strange company aren't they ? Some of their designs are downright bizarre, some look ok on the outside but they always manage to cheap glam up the interiors in a dumb way. I think it was a 57 I saw once where the inside helm reminded me of the spaceship that long dead Alien would have been seated at in the movie Alien. Also, engine access via the cockpit on a 57 was nutty. Bluewater seems like the opposite of something that would actually fare well in bluewater.... like a houseboat with a Hollywood set of a "yacht" tacked on the outside somehow... LOL..
 
Yeah the Bluewaters for you.
 
Actually understanding the nature of a question aides in responding. I think your true nature shines through your questions and responses.
 
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Finalee said:
Actually understanding the nature of a question aides in responding. I think your true nature shines through your wuestions and responses.
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I don't recall a single time I have answered any of your "I'm just curious" questions where you haven't put a negative spin on it... including now of course. So I give up. Please let us who want to discuss the actual topic at hand, discuss the topic at hand. Things were going just fine until you attempted to stir up trouble yet again.
 
Boatsb said:
Yeah the Bluewaters for you.
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To others reading this, notice even attempts by me to "smooth over" relations by agreeing that certain boats are a bit funny still result in in insults from Boatsb. Some people "love to hate" I think...his "avatar" even indicates that.
 
Milacron said:
the math doesn't seem to work on the 4 empty 5 gallon buckets...
Click to expand...

You have to use the buckets you emptied into engine/trans #1. Over time you will end up with a sheet load of 5 gal buckets.

Milacron said:
is there always a way provided to do that .. an "oil out" hose connection on the transom ? Seems like that would be a major plus versus carrying full 5 gallon buckets up the steps, over salon carpet, down transom ladder, etc. Presume you'd need someone on the dock on the VHF or cellphone to communicate how close the bucket was to full, yes ?
Click to expand...

No, that would leave a bunch of residual oil in the line and leave your engines open to contamination. There is a reason folks charge what they do, the oil change is the easy part.

Since it is your first time, I would hire a mechanic to show you how to change the filters, oil and impellers. There are tricks of the trade and you will be money ahead. Honestly, with the size of boat you are talking about, you should look in to a part-time maintenance/capt. Speaking from experience, it is very difficult to maintain a 60+ boat unless you have a BUNCH of time on your hands.
 
thoward said:
No, that would leave a bunch of residual oil in the line and leave your engines open to contamination.
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Interesting...hadn't thought of that. Regardless, whether it exists or not commercially, there is bound to be a way around that problem...such as low air pressure and check valve in line to push out all the old oil from the exit line without allowing air into the engine itself. Not that I have time for such now but in the future perhaps a project to work on.
 
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