Universal M25 Oil Consumption Rate

[Rayheath]

Hello,

I have just purchased a 1985 C30 with the M25 engine.
We powered about 175 miles from the previous owner's slip
to our home marina. The engine indicates about 985 hours
on the original Hobb's meter. Operating at 2250 RPM indicated I averaged
about 8 to 10 ounces oil consumption in a average 10 hour day.

The engine ran fine without any noticeable smoke.

What kind of oil consumption are you all seeing on your engine?
Do you think this is excessive?

Fair Winds,

Ray Heath
C30 No Name Yet
Little River, SC

 

[Fogg]

Ray,
I've got a 1984 C30TR, #3508, with M25 Universal. We have about 1600 hours. I change oil spring and fall and have never had a need to add oil in between. We run at about 2100 RPM with only steam from the exhaust. You can buy an oil drop tester kit from Defender or West which might give you a clue to your oil consumption issue.
Good luck with your new purchase. You'll grow to love her.

 

[Rayheath]

Thanks

Thanks for the response.

I used to work on diesel ground equipment at an airline at I didn't
see much oil burn on our equipment. I was hoping I was missing
something. Good idea on the kit from Defender.
I'll check it out.

Right now we only need to motor about a mile to the inlet, so I should
be able to get by for a while.

Ray

 

[Stu Jackson]

0 oil consumption. 2480 engine hours.

You might be interested in this: http://www.c34.org/wiki/index.php?title=Diesel_Engine

 

[Tom J]

Like Capt. Ron said, "Diesels love their oil like sailors love their rum!" On my brother-in-law's workboat, we add oil before every engine start, just like Capt. Ron. That being said, my M25-xpb uses no oil between changes, and it has over 1300 hours on it.

 

[Rayheath]

Thanks Everyone

Thanks for the feedback guys.

I don't plan on motoring a lot. If the consumption stays about the
same I can just "check the fuel and fill up the oil".
I do not see any leaks so it must be going out the tailpipe. The engine
seems to run fine.

Down the road I may look at a re-power, but right now I can't spend
another 10 K for a new engine...

 

[Bad Obsession]

That isn't a good sign that you are loosing oil. There could be some things causing the loss of oil. You may want to have a diesel mechanic take a look at the engine. Diesel engines are pretty basic and it may be something small causing it that is a lot cheaper than a re-power.

 

[Rayheath]

Thanks Bad

That's a good idea Bad.
I was talking with a friend who has twin diesels in her charter boat and
she knows a good diesel man.. It will be worth a few bucks to have him
go over the engine. Maybe it is a minor problem that if fixed will prevent
a failure.

Thanks!