Checking Diesel Engine Oil Level

[Bob4203]

Interesting..........

I will get to the point since I was advised by a few "experienced" guys last week that checking engine oil should be done after the engine is warmed up! Say what?!

The issue of when to check the oil level brought on the aforementioned response despite the Factory Diesel Operators Manual stated quit clearly to "check the oil level before starting the engine". The arguement was that the oil pan is angled on a sailboat and the dipstick is usually at the forward end of the pan, therefore the oil level when checked cold is not representative of "true" oil level conditions as with a level engine.

I have been checking cold, but these guys had me thinking. What would warming the engine before checking serve anyways?

A simple concensus of opinion and I can put this to rest.

Thanks

Bob
Universal M-18 on a Catalina 30 ('88)

 

[Stu Jackson]

Engine Oil

Check it before you start the engine. Starting the engine moves the oil around and to check the level properly you have to wait for it to settle. Nonsense!

And your M18 most likely (maybe not, but probably) has the dipstick with a seal on it, like M25s. This means you have to remove the dipstick first to let the oil settle (when cold) and then reinsert the dipstick to check the oil level - do NOT read the level when you first pull it out.

The BS you're getting is just that.

Oh, yeah, one other thing, all diesel engines in sailboats (save Saildrives) are angled because of the prop shaft. So...big deal. You put 3 1/2 or 4 qt.s in and away ya go!

This is not a consensus issue, this is what the engine manufacturer says. Too many "rumors" out there from unwise dockmates - ignore them.