Hi all, I recently purchased a '88 Cat 30 with a Universal M27. Like a good new owner, I promptly changed the oil. The next time I went to take the boat out, I check the dipstick and it registered dry(!). I added one quart, still dry, added another quart, then it registered over full. Figuring I just couldn't trust the dipstick, I motored around for a while. When I got back to my slip my neighbor told me my bilge pump had been running alot... I check the bilge and it was full of oil (about 1 quart). Is there any reliable way of getting an accurate dipstick reading? Can someone familiar with this engine advise if I have ruined the motor? Thanks,
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Sounds fishy
There is no rocket science to reading a dip stick. It's not a calibrated instrument, it never changes, so there for it can be considered a constant. I usually check the oil after the engine has been running for about 5 minutes and is warmed up. If your leaking oil at the rate of a quart per run the leak should be pretty obvious. Start up the engine, look in the bilge with a flash light and see where the oil is coming from. You might have a bad seal down there, maybe the oil filter is lose or not seated properly? If your bilge pump was pumping that much oil out of the boat and into the water you probably have an environmental problem too.
There is no rocket science to reading a dip stick. It's not a calibrated instrument, it never changes, so there for it can be considered a constant. I usually check the oil after the engine has been running for about 5 minutes and is warmed up. If your leaking oil at the rate of a quart per run the leak should be pretty obvious. Start up the engine, look in the bilge with a flash light and see where the oil is coming from. You might have a bad seal down there, maybe the oil filter is lose or not seated properly? If your bilge pump was pumping that much oil out of the boat and into the water you probably have an environmental problem too.
dipstick
On my M25 I sometimes find no oil on the dipstick on the first check. When I recheck I get the correct reading. It may have to do with the rubber seal around the dipstick and the fact that there seems to be a tube the dipstick fits into. So I check it frequently to have piece of mind. After changing the oil and filter I run the engine to check for leaks. It's difficult even with an absorbing blanket and paper towels not to get a little oil dripping down the engine when changing the oil filter. I also keep a bilge absorber just in case I miss anything on the cleanup.
On my M25 I sometimes find no oil on the dipstick on the first check. When I recheck I get the correct reading. It may have to do with the rubber seal around the dipstick and the fact that there seems to be a tube the dipstick fits into. So I check it frequently to have piece of mind. After changing the oil and filter I run the engine to check for leaks. It's difficult even with an absorbing blanket and paper towels not to get a little oil dripping down the engine when changing the oil filter. I also keep a bilge absorber just in case I miss anything on the cleanup.
Oil level
Strange as it may sound, I have a Catalina 30 with a M25 and when I pull the dip stick after the engine has not been running for a day or two, there is no oil on the stick. When putting it back in it will register. I have tried this over and over with the same results. I have a friend who recently bought an older Catalina 30 and checked the oil with your same results. He went out for a hour or so and his bilge was full of oil. I told of my experience and he drained it and rechecked like I did and no problems.
Strange as it may sound, I have a Catalina 30 with a M25 and when I pull the dip stick after the engine has not been running for a day or two, there is no oil on the stick. When putting it back in it will register. I have tried this over and over with the same results. I have a friend who recently bought an older Catalina 30 and checked the oil with your same results. He went out for a hour or so and his bilge was full of oil. I told of my experience and he drained it and rechecked like I did and no problems.
Need to understand the dipstick
Guys, The dipstick has a rubber boot on the end. It's different than a car. Check the link for the answer. Stu
Guys, The dipstick has a rubber boot on the end. It's different than a car. Check the link for the answer. Stu
same here
Hello, The first time I checked the oil in my new-to-me Newport 28 with M-18 I almost fainted! I pulled the dipstick, looked at it, NO OIL!!! Oh no, my engine is going to be ruined and I only sailed the boat once! Where did all the engine go??? Then I put the dipstick back in, pulled it out, and like magic, there WAS oil in the engine. In fact, it was right at the full mark
Now I don't panic the first time I see the dipstick. Barry
Hello, The first time I checked the oil in my new-to-me Newport 28 with M-18 I almost fainted! I pulled the dipstick, looked at it, NO OIL!!! Oh no, my engine is going to be ruined and I only sailed the boat once! Where did all the engine go??? Then I put the dipstick back in, pulled it out, and like magic, there WAS oil in the engine. In fact, it was right at the full mark
Now I don't panic the first time I see the dipstick. Barry- Status