Hi Folks. Just wanted to pass on a little info that I picked up recently on a business trip that may help you figure out what is going on inside your engine. I was working in Phoenix last month and struck up a conversation with a technician who has an older diesel truck with a Cummins Engine. He was really into maintaining this 10 year old 350,000 mile engine, and mentioned that he has his engine oil analyzed twice a year. While listening to this, a lightbulb started to go off somewhere in the deep recesses of my foggy brain. I asked him if they only analyzed diesel oil, and he said that they analyzed any and all oil. So, off we went to the Cummins dealer in downtown Phoenix and I picked up three test kits. Here's how it works. You pay about 10 bucks for a kit, which is just a plastic collection vial the size of a package of vitamins. The oil goes into this vial, and you seal it and then mail it back to the dealer. The dealer sends it to the lab, which then analyzes the chemicals in it and can tell you what is going on inside your engine. For example, if traces of certain metals show up in your oil, it indicates that you are using up an internal bearing. Traces of elements and chemicals indicate different processes that are active in you engine. The chief benefit is that you can tell in advance if you have a problem like fuel or seawater entering your crankcase, and take corrective action before it bankrupts your boat fund. You must also fill out a form that goes back with the used oil. It asks very specific questions, such as engine make and model, brand and viscosity of oil and any additives used, average oil consumption, period of time oil was used, crank case capacity, type of fuel used, etc... The report will be sent you, and you can also link the reports together, so the lab can show trends within your engine over time. Anyway - can't wait to do this on my A-4. I remember that when I used to fly airplanes instead of jibs, we used to do engine oil analysis all the time. For some reason I thought it was resevered for high performance engines. Turns out it is not. Anyone can have it done. So, you can check with your local Cummins dealer, or your local mechanic, or probably even the larger auto parts store, and they will probably be able to help you out. The Cummins dealer I dealt with was located at 101 West Mohave Street, Phoenix AZ 85038. Phone:800-445-7930. I figure you can buy these kits over the phone. By the way - anyone out there have this done on their engine already? If so, what were the results? Was it part of your survey, or something you elected to do later? Am I a knucklehead for not thinking of this sooner? Best Regards, Rob