Yanmar 3YM30 Engine oil

4Winds

.
Jun 8, 2022
53
Hunter 33 Wilmington, NC
How much 15w40 oil does the Yanmar 3YM30 engine take? Just about to do first oil change on new (used) boat and cannot find the answer to this question anywhere. Thank you!
 

jssailem

SBO Weather and Forecasting Forum Jim & John
Oct 22, 2014
22,285
CAL 35 Cruiser #21 moored EVERETT WA
Good question. @4Winds .
When I reach these conundrums, I always break down and search for a manual. It is great when one of our SBO members has it readily available. :clap:
 
May 7, 2012
1,507
Hunter e33 Maple Bay, BC
Regardless of what the specs tell you, put back only the amount that brings the oil between the minimum and maximum mark on the dipstick.
DO NOT OVER FILL.
Take your time adding the oil after you have put in the 1st 1.5L. Add a little oil, wait for the oil to make its way into the pan and check oil level again. Repeat until the oil level on the dip stick is where you want it. Run up the engine for 10 - 15 minutes, check for leaks, wait 10 minutes then check the level on the dipstick again. Adjust if necessary.
 
Jul 7, 2004
8,462
Hunter 30T Cheney, KS
:plus: You have to suck it out so you never get all of it.
I'm looking into replacing the plug with a valve so I can drain neatly from the bottom.
 
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Likes: Secret sail
Jul 23, 2009
879
Beneteau 31 Oceanis Grand Lake, Oklahoma
This brings up an interesting point, the lack of a drain plug on the 3YM series. I swear that I saw one in a Yanmar engine drawing somewhere, but I haven't seen it on my engine. It would be nice to drain out the last little bit after sucking out the majority of it.
 
Feb 23, 2018
52
Hunter 356 Marseille
even with a great drain plug you cant get all the oil out of the different recesses inside the head etc. I took off the sump once (very difficult) but still only managed 2.4 lts of old oil :(
I finally decided that the 0.6lts of old oil would mix with the new. So I reduced my oil change schedule by the same amount = 20%
I dont think Range rover or Ferrari drain out every drop either ;)
 

RoyS

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Jun 3, 2012
1,742
Hunter 33 Steamboat Wharf, Hull, MA
:plus: You have to suck it out so you never get all of it.
I'm looking into replacing the plug with a valve so I can drain neatly from the bottom.
This statement is true if you attempt to vacuum out the oil through the dipstick port. The dipstick port is usually located in the center of the engine to provide a correct oil level reading despite the fact that the engine is pitched down in the rear. When you vacuum through the dipstick port you will not reach any of the oil that remains in the lower rear portion of the sump. You can do a pretty effective oil change this way if you do this twice while running the engine between the two changes. Or, you may be able to insert your vacuum hose into the very rear of the oil sump by wiggling it down through the oil fill port and into the valve pushrod space in the engine block. I do this on my Yanmar 2QM15 every year and completely drain the sump in one pass. It takes a little patience to get the hose down there past various obstructions (cam shaft) but, at least, in my case, can be done in less than a minute. See photo.
3B7491FC-4852-4DD6-A883-7901321F09D4.jpeg
 
May 7, 2012
1,507
Hunter e33 Maple Bay, BC
Or, you may be able to insert your vacuum hose into the very rear of the oil sump by wiggling it down through the oil fill port and into the valve pushrod space in the engine block.
I take a similar approach when I remove the 15W40 oil from my ZF (Hurth) saildrive. Twice a year I thread the vacuum hose through the oil fill port and down through the various cogs and gears in order to get to the lowest point that I can. Each time I do this I hold my breath and pray that the vacuum hose does not get stuck and is not missing any bits of plastic hose when I remove it.
 
Jul 7, 2004
8,462
Hunter 30T Cheney, KS
Darn! I got all worked up for nothing. I took a look at my 2GM20 oil pan and I don't have a drain plug. I read this article in my PS subscription a while back and just assumed I had a drain plug too! I feel drained....