I have a Yanmar 3JH4E in the boat with approximately 450 hours and it is running beautifully. I do have one issue that I have noticed the last few years and I haven't been able to figure out the cause. Almost religiously, when running the motor for a while and returning to the dock and shutting down, I check the oil level. I usually let the engine sit for a while before doing this.
The unusual thing is that there are times where I pull out the dipstick, and find it is totally dry. I wipe it down and reinsert it and check a few times but nothing. I then add literally about an ounce but never more than two ounces of oil, and check again. The oil is then reading on the top mark of the dipstick... I have to imagine the difference between the top and bottom marks is more like a half or full quart. There have also been a couple of times that I have pulled it out, found it was completely dry, stuck it back in and checked, and all of a sudden the level is correct.
I never get the oil pressure light or overheat light, the exhaust is always clean without smoke or a sheen.
Anyone experience this, and if so, found the cause? Could it be the angle of the motor causing the strange levels?
The unusual thing is that there are times where I pull out the dipstick, and find it is totally dry. I wipe it down and reinsert it and check a few times but nothing. I then add literally about an ounce but never more than two ounces of oil, and check again. The oil is then reading on the top mark of the dipstick... I have to imagine the difference between the top and bottom marks is more like a half or full quart. There have also been a couple of times that I have pulled it out, found it was completely dry, stuck it back in and checked, and all of a sudden the level is correct.
I never get the oil pressure light or overheat light, the exhaust is always clean without smoke or a sheen.
Anyone experience this, and if so, found the cause? Could it be the angle of the motor causing the strange levels?