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Diesel engine servicing hours?

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Created by southace > 9 months ago, 9 Dec 2019
southace
SA, 4758 posts
9 Dec 2019 9:03PM
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Monday night 8pm took me 30mins to dump oil change filter and oil on the Perkins M60hp. Approx 50 hrs since last change. unfortantly the Perkins hour taco has been faulty since purchase of Icon apparently it's some plastic cogs that fail. But logs indicate I change the oil every 50 hours I'm happy with that but I don't change the oil in the car! ??

warwickl
NSW, 2173 posts
9 Dec 2019 9:44PM
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Interesting topic.
Manufacturers manuals will say a certain number of hours or months whichever is first.
I often believe there conditions are often unrealistic or not practical for many with little issue with regular monitoring.
What do others believe?
Obviously different environments need to be considered.

southace
SA, 4758 posts
9 Dec 2019 9:21PM
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warwickl said..
Interesting topic.
Manufacturers manuals will say a certain number of hours or months whichever is first.
I often believe there conditions are often unrealistic or not practical for many with little issue with regular monitoring.
What do others believe?
Obviously different environments need to be considered.


I feel it's a bit like washing your car it always seems to drive better after a good scrub (something I don't do much these days) but changing black oil to clean oil defently I hear a diffrence in the sound of the diesel I'm not so sure on the filters but for $8 for a Perkins 409 filter might as well do the full job.. Runs sweet now.

saintpeter
VIC, 122 posts
9 Dec 2019 10:35PM
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A Perkins M60 sounds like a four-cylinder. If an engine of that size was in my tractor, and had regular use (even fortnightly) and inspection, I would change at 200 hours - no time limit. And nowadays I would closely follow the manufacturers oil spec's.

southace
SA, 4758 posts
9 Dec 2019 10:22PM
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saintpeter said..
A Perkins M60 sounds like a four-cylinder. If an engine of that size was in my tractor, and had regular use (even fortnightly) and inspection, I would change at 200 hours - no time limit. And nowadays I would closely follow the manufacturers oil spec's.


I could get 200 hours but prefer 50 to 60 hrs I think that was the manufacturer soecs. I like to see clean oil when I dip.

cisco
QLD, 12311 posts
9 Dec 2019 11:27PM
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If you want to learn about engine servicing and use some products that will be very good for your engine go here ---> costeffective.com.au/

BTW, engine lubricating oil is designed to get dirty. Cleaning the engine is part of it's function. If it does not get dirty you should worry.

On H.M.A.S. Stalwart we ran the engine oil through Alfa Laval seperators (just like milk seperators) and though the oil was black as tar, it would test cleaner than brand new oil.

If you drive a motor vehicle for 100 hours at 100 klms/hour it travels 10,000 klms which is the maximum service interval recommended for most vehicles. Therefore running a marine engine at cruising speed for 100 hours is equivalent.

However many people change the engine oil in their motor vehicles every 5,000 klms, particularly if it is a high performance or heavy duty engine, which is fine. If though the engine does not rack up 100 hours running in six months, that period of time becomes the default service period as the oil will degrade and become acidic over time.

It is recommended that prior to draining engine oil that the engine be run up to normal operating temperature and then immediately dumped carrying most of the impurities with it. Dumping hot oil in the cramped space on a yacht can be problematic. Be careful you do not scorch yourself.

The most important thing with oil is it's quality i.e. stability and film strength. I only use Penrite, Bimrose or Caltex oils. www.bimrose.com.au/

I have heard some horror stories about Mobil oils especially if mixed with other brands.

Cheers.

hoop
1979 posts
9 Dec 2019 10:45PM
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That's why I use Vaaalvoline.

Ramona
NSW, 7403 posts
10 Dec 2019 8:42AM
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southace said..
Monday night 8pm took me 30mins to dump oil change filter and oil on the Perkins M60hp. Approx 50 hrs since last change. unfortantly the Perkins hour taco has been faulty since purchase of Icon apparently it's some plastic cogs that fail. But logs indicate I change the oil every 50 hours I'm happy with that but I don't change the oil in the car! ??


Nice to see an engine bay with rubber hoses and no plastic. Like the outboard fuel bulb for bleeding too.
On my fishing vessel, I used to change the oil and filters every 200 hours which was once a fortnight. That was a lot of oil! On my yacht, I change the oil and filters twice a year. I sail once a week all year round and run the engine at least 30 minutes each time I sail and that is not many hours. Most yachts do very few hours and the engines rarely wear out. Most of the damage is from internal corrosion I believe.

cisco
QLD, 12311 posts
10 Dec 2019 1:10PM
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hoop said..
That's why I use Vaaalvoline.


What is why you use Valvoline?

garymalmgren
1100 posts
10 Dec 2019 12:24PM
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On H.M.A.S Latrobe, they used a 4 inch hemp hawser that was fed into a 44 gal drum of used oil.
It was run in a 6 inch steel pipe that went up two decks then goose necked back down to another drum fitted next to the original.
The oil moved up, over then down by capillary action and filled the drum with clean reusable oil.
The impurities were left in the hemp along the journey.
Of course this was during the Second World War and there were virtually no supplies of new oil in Australia , so they had to make do.
Dad told me that story.

gary

southace
SA, 4758 posts
10 Dec 2019 9:55PM
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oil cleans the engine as well as lubricant the dirty oil needs to be replaced once its blackish. I work commercial charter, all engines get oil changed at 20 to 30 hrs and the boss says he knows when the oil needs a change just by the black oil and smell without looking at the electronic engine hr display!

warwickl
NSW, 2173 posts
11 Dec 2019 8:09AM
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Oil in my engine is just over a year since changing and 26 hours running and it's still reasonably clear.
Should I change it?

Ramona
NSW, 7403 posts
11 Dec 2019 8:56AM
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warwickl said..
Oil in my engine is just over a year since changing and 26 hours running and it's still reasonably clear.
Should I change it?


Yes.
Just the oil and leave the filter if you like and just change that every second oil change.

dialdan
QLD, 79 posts
11 Dec 2019 8:57AM
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Select to expand quote
cisco said..
If you want to learn about engine servicing and use some products that will be very good for your engine go here ---> costeffective.com.au/

BTW, engine lubricating oil is designed to get dirty. Cleaning the engine is part of it's function. If it does not get dirty you should worry.

On H.M.A.S. Stalwart we ran the engine oil through Alfa Laval seperators (just like milk seperators) and though the oil was black as tar, it would test cleaner than brand new oil.

If you drive a motor vehicle for 100 hours at 100 klms/hour it travels 10,000 klms which is the maximum service interval recommended for most vehicles. Therefore running a marine engine at cruising speed for 100 hours is equivalent.

However many people change the engine oil in their motor vehicles every 5,000 klms, particularly if it is a high performance or heavy duty engine, which is fine. If though the engine does not rack up 100 hours running in six months, that period of time becomes the default service period as the oil will degrade and become acidic over time.

It is recommended that prior to draining engine oil that the engine be run up to normal operating temperature and then immediately dumped carrying most of the impurities with it. Dumping hot oil in the cramped space on a yacht can be problematic. Be careful you do not scorch yourself.

The most important thing with oil is it's quality i.e. stability and film strength. I only use Penrite, Bimrose or Caltex oils. www.bimrose.com.au/

I have heard some horror stories about Mobil oils especially if mixed with other brands.

Cheers.


I think Penrite uses Mobil as a base oil

cisco
QLD, 12311 posts
11 Dec 2019 10:08AM
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dialdan said..
I think Penrite uses Mobil as a base oil


That may be so but it does not mean that Penrite Oil from say Repco is the same as Mobil oil from a servo.

There are only a few oil refineries in Australia from whom oil can be bought at different specifications.

As I understand it Bimrose specifies that the oil they buy must be ceramic filtered four times rather than just the standard one time. When they get it of course different elements are added to produce different grades of oil.

I have used Bimrose All Seasons oil in a number of vehicles and they have all run better as a result. You have to look around to find a Bimrose Distributor whereas Penrite is sold in most auto accessory shops.

A friend of mine works in a truck and machinery service shop and tells me there is a prime mover they service using Penrite exclusively and he also tells me that engine has driven for over 7 million kilometers without a rebuild.

samsturdy
NSW, 1659 posts
11 Dec 2019 1:11PM
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As the ex owner of a clapped out Bukh who's oil would turn black immediately to the now owner of a brand new
Beta who's oil is still clean after 12 months, I'm convinced that it's what gets past the rings that affects the oil.

warwickl
NSW, 2173 posts
11 Dec 2019 2:23PM
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How often do your diesel fuel filters get replaced?
Is it common practice to use additives to disperse water and algae? I do and never had an issue over 15 years with same boat.

UncleBob
NSW, 1199 posts
11 Dec 2019 2:30PM
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cisco said..

dialdan said..
I think Penrite uses Mobil as a base oil



That may be so but it does not mean that Penrite Oil from say Repco is the same as Mobil oil from a servo.

There are only a few oil refineries in Australia from whom oil can be bought at different specifications.

As I understand it Bimrose specifies that the oil they buy must be ceramic filtered four times rather than just the standard one time. When they get it of course different elements are added to produce different grades of oil.

I have used Bimrose All Seasons oil in a number of vehicles and they have all run better as a result. You have to look around to find a Bimrose Distributor whereas Penrite is sold in most auto accessory shops.

A friend of mine works in a truck and machinery service shop and tells me there is a prime mover they service using Penrite exclusively and he also tells me that engine has driven for over 7 million kilometers without a rebuild.


Interesting that they have only one supplier listed in NSW, at Moree and most of the other distributors don't sound like automotive businesses.

cisco
QLD, 12311 posts
11 Dec 2019 9:41PM
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^^^ I assume you are referring to Bimrose. They supply a lot of oil to farmers.

Jolene
WA, 1554 posts
12 Dec 2019 6:38AM
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cisco said..

BTW, engine lubricating oil is designed to get dirty. Cleaning the engine is part of it's function. If it does not get dirty you should worry.

.






Most modern diesel oils contain detergent. The detergent aids in cleaning the motor and helps suspend particles and stops them to sticking to hot areas in the engine. They help stop rings gumming, bore glazing and blockages..Detergent in the oil will eventually break down and regular oil changes are good to maintain the benefit. Non detergent oils are generally used in small petrol engines and two stroke,,, and they are still used in some diesel motors without concern. Non detergent oils are usually clearer (like sewing machine oil ) because they don't contain the additives but if used in a engine, the engine will discolour and get oil dirty just as quick as a detergent oil. If the oil is relatively clean in your engine the motor has good health. I have never seen oil drained from the sump that is as clean as the day it was put into service,,, But I have seen oil get filthy in no time due to being the wrong type.

Ramona
NSW, 7403 posts
12 Dec 2019 6:13PM
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The bloke who runs Atlantic oil was on TV the other day talking about their top of the line diesel used in long haul trucks. 50,000 miles between changes! Long haul trucks have their engines running for long periods at a time, exactly the opposite of what we do with our yacht engines. Stick with the cheap oils that the engine manufacturer recommends {grade} and change regularly. I buy whatever is cheap at Autopro/supercheap.

www.atlanticoil.com/oil/diesel-engine-oil

UncleBob
NSW, 1199 posts
12 Dec 2019 6:44PM
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Ramona said..
The bloke who runs Atlantic oil was on TV the other day talking about their top of the line diesel used in long haul trucks. 50,000 miles between changes! Long haul trucks have their engines running for long periods at a time, exactly the opposite of what we do with our yacht engines. Stick with the cheap oils that the engine manufacturer recommends {grade} and change regularly. I buy whatever is cheap at Autopro/supercheap.

www.atlanticoil.com/oil/diesel-engine-oil


Yeah, I used to but I found that oil pressure dropped noticeably when the engine warmed, now I use shell rimula and pressure is maintained very well.

warwickl
NSW, 2173 posts
12 Dec 2019 7:37PM
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UncleBob said..

Ramona said..
The bloke who runs Atlantic oil was on TV the other day talking about their top of the line diesel used in long haul trucks. 50,000 miles between changes! Long haul trucks have their engines running for long periods at a time, exactly the opposite of what we do with our yacht engines. Stick with the cheap oils that the engine manufacturer recommends {grade} and change regularly. I buy whatever is cheap at Autopro/supercheap.

www.atlanticoil.com/oil/diesel-engine-oil



Yeah, I used to but I found that oil pressure dropped noticeably when the engine warmed, now I use shell rimula and pressure is maintained very well.


Oil pressure is another interesting consideration.
When cold looks ok then drops a bit which is normal .
However what is too low, if some pressure some good must be occurring?

Jolene
WA, 1554 posts
12 Dec 2019 5:43PM
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Select to expand quote
cisco said..


On H.M.A.S. Stalwart we ran the engine oil through Alfa Laval seperators (just like milk seperators) and though the oil was black as tar, it would test cleaner than brand new oil.

.


Centrifugal separators are put into service for large quantities of oil cleaning.
They usually are on a bypass circuit that continually cycles the sump so that they are not restricted by the oil operating pressure of the motor.
They generally remove large particles in the oil that would normally clog filters. Nowadays Detergent oils ar more filter friendly.
The smallest centrifugal separator I have seen is on the end of the crankshaft of the old Honda XR 75
You also would see them on older trucks,, usually in combination multiple dunny roll filter unit.
Older style engines,,, before the introduction of detergents would sometimes have sediment catching pools incorporated into the castings that would require cleaning at specific service intervals

Jolene
WA, 1554 posts
12 Dec 2019 5:49PM
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warwickl said..
UncleBob said..

Ramona said..
The bloke who runs Atlantic oil was on TV the other day talking about their top of the line diesel used in long haul trucks. 50,000 miles between changes! Long haul trucks have their engines running for long periods at a time, exactly the opposite of what we do with our yacht engines. Stick with the cheap oils that the engine manufacturer recommends {grade} and change regularly. I buy whatever is cheap at Autopro/supercheap.

www.atlanticoil.com/oil/diesel-engine-oil



Yeah, I used to but I found that oil pressure dropped noticeably when the engine warmed, now I use shell rimula and pressure is maintained very well.


Oil pressure is another interesting consideration.
When cold looks ok then drops a bit which is normal .
However what is too low, if some pressure some good must be occurring?


Oil pressure falling of when the engine is hot is often a symptom of worn crankshaft bearings,, Big ends may start knocking if pressure falls away too much

southace
SA, 4758 posts
12 Dec 2019 8:50PM
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Ramona said..
The bloke who runs Atlantic oil was on TV the other day talking about their top of the line diesel used in long haul trucks. 50,000 miles between changes! Long haul trucks have their engines running for long periods at a time, exactly the opposite of what we do with our yacht engines. Stick with the cheap oils that the engine manufacturer recommends {grade} and change regularly. I buy whatever is cheap at Autopro/supercheap.

www.atlanticoil.com/oil/diesel-engine-oil


I only use RX super 15/40 Castrol same oil same oil what ever .

warwickl
NSW, 2173 posts
13 Dec 2019 9:22AM
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Jolene said..

warwickl said..

UncleBob said..


Ramona said..
The bloke who runs Atlantic oil was on TV the other day talking about their top of the line diesel used in long haul trucks. 50,000 miles between changes! Long haul trucks have their engines running for long periods at a time, exactly the opposite of what we do with our yacht engines. Stick with the cheap oils that the engine manufacturer recommends {grade} and change regularly. I buy whatever is cheap at Autopro/supercheap.

www.atlanticoil.com/oil/diesel-engine-oil




Yeah, I used to but I found that oil pressure dropped noticeably when the engine warmed, now I use shell rimula and pressure is maintained very well.



Oil pressure is another interesting consideration.
When cold looks ok then drops a bit which is normal .
However what is too low, if some pressure some good must be occurring?



Oil pressure falling of when the engine is hot is often a symptom of worn crankshaft bearings,, Big ends may start knocking if pressure falls away too much


What oil pressure is too low?
I can not recall what mine is but much the same for the last 15 years.

Jolene
WA, 1554 posts
13 Dec 2019 12:58PM
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I probably wouldn't want to see oil pressure below 10 psi at idle and below 50 psi at full rpm
Some engines are splash lubricated,,, others have pressure feed lubrication with complicated hydraulics that rely on oil pressure so it gets back to the type of engine,, with the manufacturers specifications.

warwickl
NSW, 2173 posts
15 Dec 2019 6:08PM
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Checked oil pressure today and 55 to 60 psi cruising and minimum 15 psi at idle when running at 83 c deg.



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"Diesel engine servicing hours?" started by southace