Another Engine Oil Analysis Question

[stevenagodfrey]

Hello –

First, I apologize for posting another message on this topic. I have read the previous threads but need some help thinking through the next steps on a potential boat purchase. The boat ran well during the sea trial with the an experienced engine surveyor. Cold Startup, temps, smoke etc were monitored and the surveyor left to prepare his report which was expected to include a few small items to repair.

Attached are the oil sample results which seemed far worse than anything I have seen previously on the site.

These are a single sample – no other results are available. The boat has been owned for 3 years by the current owner and used lightly. He changed the oil and serviced the coolers at the time of purchase 3 years ago about 160 hours ago. Previous history is unknown. Engines are 2000 6CTA 8.3.

So, I guess my question is looking for some suggested next actions to reduce the risk of the purchase?

Thanks in advance for all this community does to help people learn!
Steve

Topic

[Philip]

Seen this several times and we always go back to the statement that a single oil sample usually causes more questions than answers and complicates sales transactions. What would you rather have, a boat with low hours and dirty oil samples or a boat with 2-3 times the hours that’s used regularly and has clean oil sample history (many oil samples to compare to)??

The best engine survey info that reflects overall condition on the engine is in how it starts from cold. Does it start quickly? Does it smoke? What is the max rpm with the boat heavy? Any vibrations? What does the engine look like viausally. Etc etc.

In this case we don’t have the sample history but we can make some conclusions from the sample AND service history. The aftercooler is on the edge of service intervals AND we don’t know exactly how the aftercooler was service last and we don’t even know if the aftercoolers are serviceable.

My guess is the aftercoolers are leaking (starboard worse than the port). If your truly interested in the boat, I’d suggest an off engine aftercooler service as detailed here on this website. How you work that into the deal is up to you but make the owner prove the aftercooler health (service them properly), change the oil/filter, run the boat, and resample the oil before completing the sale.

Your oil samples will still come back dirty but much cleaner.

Also lots can be told by a few pictures of each engine so post them her for our eyes to help you.

Phil

[Rob Schepis]

So the oil is 3 years old with 160 hours on it? Basically it’s been run for 160 hours and “sitting” for over 26,000+ hours. That’s a long time for contaminants to build up.

Did the experienced engine surveyor do a blowby test? Either measured or just a poor man’s test with the cap off?

Any clue as to aftercooler history? This is a saltwater boat, right?

[Author]

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