First Oil Change

[colb218]

Am I making this harder than it needs to be? I have a yanmar 3hm 35f and did my first oil change today. I purchased an oil extractor and that went ok. I pulled about 3.5 quarts out with a bit more in the filter.

I got the filter back on and started the process of adding oil back in. I had read about going right back in the dipstick tube access, but nothing I had on hand fit! I then moved to the access on top of the engine but with limited space couldn't fit any funnel in without basically a p-trap bend in the flex tubing. I eventually settled on pouring oil into a small-ish cup and pouring that into a funnel on top of the engine. I wound up pouring the full 4 quarts(give or take the spillage) back into engine and while the dip stick markings were surprisingly far apart I landed below the top mark and the well above half full. I will be sending a sample to Blackstone labs to get an idea of how things look.

In the grand scheme of things it wasn't the worst process, but I'd feel silly if I were to do this 10 more times and then find out there is an easier way!

 

[jssailem]

I am guessing your question was not about gettign the oil out of the engine but how to easily pout it back in.

That is different with each boat and the access the boat designer gives you. Since I have not seen your engine compartment, I can only make educated suggestions.

Some may find a way to open up the access (cut a hole or access port) to the oil cap, usually on the top of the engine.

A pump my be a tool that facilitates oil filling when limited vertical access is an issue.
Harbor Freight $9.99

Maybe an oil funnel with a flexible hose.


Or like you did a cup a little at a time.

Maybe a picture of your engine and the the area you ahd to solve the problem might help.

 

[sail sfbay]

You did very well. Oil extractor is perfect for this job as I also use one. You probably only need to do this annually, so as long as you found a way to add oil into the engine you are good..........jssailem's oil fill funnel is a good idea.

 

[colb218]

thank you both! I had a flexible tube funnel but the way I had to get it out to where I could pour it meant that there was a decent dip in the flex tubing and made filling difficult.

I might look into that pump!

the good news is that I used the time I spent staring at the problem to come up with my next projects! ha

 

[Claude L.-Auger]

Chances are your engine is under the companionway ladder and has a piece of plywood going from side to side over it. Drill a 1'' hole over your oil fill and using a funnel with a tube inserted through that 1'' hole you'll easily fill the engine. You can easily find a plastic plug to cover the hole in the plywood floor when not in use.

 

[Rich Stidger]

Chances are your engine is under the companionway ladder and has a piece of plywood going from side to side over it. Drill a 1'' hole over your oil fill and using a funnel with a tube inserted through that 1'' hole you'll easily fill the engine. You can easily find a plastic plug to cover the hole in the plywood floor when not in use.

I was about to suggest this exact solution. It is what I did. The most difficult part is locating the exact point to drill the hole.

 

[jssailem]

The most difficult part is locating the exact point to drill the hole.

Hole size is part of the solution. Size matters.

 

[Parsons]

I have a few solutions to finding that exact spot to drill a hole like that. One is to drill from the other side, in this case starting from the inside of the engine room and going up with a small pilot hole. The other is careful measurement from an edges that you can see from both sides, using a carpenter's square to make sure you are in-line - 15" from the left and 7" from the front. Last, and I have not tried this one, is a suggestion to tape metal nail one side and use a stud finder to find it.

 

[TimFromLI]

I have no room to pour the oil in either. I bought one of those 1 gallon HDX garden sprayers from home depot. I cut the sprayer part off and put in a small ball valve. Oil changes are so much easier and cleaner. And it doubles as spillproof clean spare oil storage. I tried those cheap HF pumps but they make such a mess and half the time I end up dumping it since they don't screw on to the container. And then you need to store the pump after they are covered in oil- same goes for funnels and hoses for that matter.