On a light year like this, (less than 15 hrs) I will pass on an oil change until next fall. I wonder if pool test strips would work to give you an indication of acidity – if I saw something, say, under 6? It might change my mind, but my oil still looks as clear as when I put it in last fall, which I find amazing for a diesel (Yanmar), especially with 2500 hours.
I found it interesting comparing two similar engines, both new Kubota’s from around 15 years ago, one in my mower and the other in the boat. The boat did not actually have an air filter, but the mower did. The boat oil was always clear as a bell, and the mower oil looked like typical carbon black at the end of the season. I suppose from such dirty air. Bill Coleman Entrada, Erie, PA From: Josh Muckley [mailto:[email protected]] Sent: Thursday, October 15, 2020 4:19 PM To: Stus-List Subject: Stus-List Re: Engine Hours I sample my oil and sent for analysis. Costs $20 but the knowledge of whether or not the oil is good as well as what else could be wrong with the engine is invaluable. For anyone who cares about the environmental impacts, not changing the oil is better for the environment too. I use an over-sized oil filter and the very best amsoil marine diesel engine oil. This particular oil has a high TBN of 12. IIRC, TBN stand for total base number, you know base... The opposite of acid. As acids build up in the oil the TBN goes down. If the person doing the analysis sees that the trend suggests the TBN (or any of the oil specs) will be too close to zero before the next oil change, they modify their recommendations. https://drive.google.com/file/d/1MaBnvf4Fc9auz-p_Yw-yp5uh-Z7R4N__/view?usp=drivesdk Keeping moisture out of the oil is another key to long life. A block heater keeps the oil dry, the rings from sticking, the cylinders from rusting and the boat warm enough to prevent the bilge from freezing. Josh Muckley S/V Sea Hawk 1989 C&C 37+ Solomons, MD
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