Yanmar Oil Change Needed

[Marcia]

I've searched the archives and just can't seem to come up with a tidy answer. This is our first opportunity to change the oil in our Cal 34 Yanmar 3GM30F engine. The owner's manual doesn't specify the type of oil to get, nor the oil filter to use. Should I also put same oil in the transmission? I am aware that I can order genuine Yanmar oil filters, but the common archive answer seems to be that a local Napa or Fram oil filter will suffice. If this is true, and what do I ask for when I go the auto parts store? Will I get the deer in the headlight look from the guys behind the counter when I say I want a filter for a marine engine?? Maybe someone with the same engine can answer these questions. As you can see I'm a novice, but really want to do my own oil changes.

 

[Andy]

Many opinions

Here is a link to Torrenson's discussion thread. I think the concensus is 15W40. Sailing out of Norfolk, you may use your engine in relatively cold weather and hot weather so a multi-grade oil would be recommended. I think the topic has been discussed ad nauseum on this sight so check the archives tooFor oil filter part numbers and oil quantity, check these:http://www.altechdiesel.com/parts/yanmaroilchart.htmlhttp://www.altechdiesel.com/parts/yanmarmarine.html

 

[Andy]

And my opinion

And for the record-I prefer geniune Yanmar parts. Somewhere in Norfolk is a Yanmar dealer! If not, mail order. Last hope go to a John Deere tractor dealer, tell him you have a JD compact tractor made by Yanmar, about 20 horsepower. Look at the filter and match the Yanmar part number!

 

[Bill Roosa]

Use a grade approved

for use in diesel engines. It is different from gas engine oil.Spin on oil filters come in just a few sizes. The variables being length, diameter of the gasket, and diameter of the hole. You can eyeball the length and diameter of gasket and I find that just sticking my finger in the hole to size it is sufficient. I have found two sizes; finger fits easily and finger just drags through the hole. Then it is just a mater of choosing a filter manufacturer. We have all heard about the pet food poisoning problem. Who would have thought all those different companies sell the same food with just the fancy packaging being the difference. It is my belief that filters are a similar type of situation.I prefer Fram but since you change the filter with every oil change it really does not matter as the filter will not get that dirty.Don't put the same oil in the transmission. Others will differ with me but gears need different lubrication than engines. Just the additive package for the presence of exhaust gases is significant. A transmission oil does not need any of these. It does need what is called EP (extreme pressure) additives. I have used 80 weight gear oil in my tranny for years and have had no problems. I change it out the first time I change the engine oil after buying the boat and never worry about it again. In fact, unless your trans oil smells "burnt" I would just check the level once a season and leave it alone. It is more likely you will introduce dirt into the trans and cause a problem than anything will go wrong over the course of a season.

 

[Dragonfly6689]

Beneteau 331

I have a 3GM30F in Dragonfly. Users manual says 15W40 with SAE 30 in the transmission. I use Penzoil.I buy filters from Mack Boring: http://www.mackboring.com/RecreationalMarine/Contact_Us.aspxCarolina’s and Virginia4500 Northchase Parkway, NortheastWilmington, North Carolina 28405 Phone: 910-792-1900Fax: 910-792-6266Email: carolina@mackboring.comGive them a call. They will have parts in the mail the same day.

 

[Rick9619]

Changing your oil

Marcia, if you are even caveman mechanically inclined you can save yourself so many dollars over the local mechanic. Get an "oil boy" or something similar from WM or local chandlery. Tis a device you stick in the dipstick hole to suck the oil out. As far as the filter, I have found two sizes from a yanmar dealer that fit the 3Gm30F. One is thicker than the other. I prefer the slim one because I have a high output alternator and it fits easier. Again I recommend getting it from a marine dealer. I mean how long does it take you to put a hundred hours on your engine or once a season. Tis worth the extra bucks. Bill chime in here because I know your are knowledgable on this. I have heard that the genuine yanmar filters have a bypass feature. No idiot light.. just works if it clogs. I cant verify this though. Your transmission plate recommends the type of oil you should use. Its right there above the level checker. Get oil for marine diesel engines and trannys. My engine and tranny take the same oil! However again Bill's advice is sound. Just depends on what you want to do. I go for the stock approach and have almost a 1000 hours with absolutely no problems. Check your tranny oil hot. If it foams or smells burnt or is a milky color. Stop.. do not pass go.. get it looked at.Cheers

 

[Pete]

Yanmar oil change

Yanmar offers original equipment oil filters, as well as they market "Yanmar" oil. The extra(small)cost, is worth the piece of mind to use genuie yanmar products. Life time cost of using Yanmar part vs. after market products is about $50. The older engines used 30 weight oil but yanmar has changed recomadtions to 15w40. 30 weigth is still recommended for trans. I used 30 from the start and just stayed with it . More important is that you change the oil every year or 100 hours. Good time to replace fuel filters also !

 

[John T1594]

Look on the engine

Both the engine and the transmission have ID plates that give not only the make and model numbers, but also max and continuous RPM recommendations, Oil requirements and more.

 

[Warren Milberg]

The engine manual is online

on the HOW site link below. If you look at pg 21 it will tell you the type of gear oil for the engine and trans. You may want to download the entire manual and keep it for further reference.

 

[Maine Sail]

Rotella or Delo

Rotella or Delo 15W-40 diesel grade oil. Do not use a gasoline grade 15W-40 Rotella and Delo are both available at Wal*Mart.. You want an API CJ-4 rated oil like the Chevron Delo 400 & Rotella T..http://www.shell.com/home/Framework?siteId=rotella-en&FC2=/rotella-en/html/iwgen/press_release_2006/zzz_lhn.html&FC3=/rotella-en/html/iwgen/press_release_2006/cj-4_intro_1006.html

 

[LancerDude]

Engine Oil..

You mean there is oil in that old iron thing under the steps...and your suposed to check the level and change it sometime during the life of the boat??? LOL

 

[tom]

Fram Oil filter Rotella Oil

All of these companies want more money. I've used Fram oil filters in my car truck motorcycle and boat. Oddly my Volvo MD11C uses the same filter as my Toyota truck. I use the Rotella 15W-40. Honda wanted me to use their oil and oil filters but I put over 60k on my Goldwing with no problems. A frqm oil filter was about $3.50 and a Honda filter was about $12 Same price difference with the oil. Since sailboat diesels are used little I doubt that it is critical which oil or filter that you use. To my mind if I change it myself for a lot less money I can change it more often. More often probably more than compensates for any difference in quality. I honestly doubt that a Yanmar or Volvo filter or oil is of any better quality than a Fram. Fram makes a lot of filters that it sells underother brand names. Yanmar filters are probably on a bid out contract to the lowest bidder. It would be amazing if yanmar has it's own factory to make oil filters.

 

[Dan Johnson]

Marcia...

go to a NAPA store and ask for a #1064 oil filter. It fits a Mazda diesel car engine. Cost last September was about $10.50.

 

[Buck2796]

Marcia,

Ocean Marine Yacht Center in Portsmouth (757-399-2920) is the local Yanmar arthorized dealer. They have the oil(& fuel) filters , oil, impellors, etc that you need. Just tell them you hava a Yanmar 3GM30F and they will tell you on the phone if they have the filters, etc you need or if they need to order them for you.

 

[Dave]

use the best

hi i know it all confusing so many choices look at this site and the clips my contact info is on there and i can help you with your decision www.yachtoil.com