Fluid Change Intervals
When should I change the oil in my engine? When should I replace the coolant? When should I change the oil in my transmission? These are questions we get asked all the time, so we thought we’d lay out our response to those questions here. Below you will find our general recommendations for fluid change intervals to keep your yachts equipment in it’s best shape.
Keep in mind that these recommendations may not exactly match the manufacture specifications for your specific engine, gear, or generator. However we’re confident that the intervals we recommend can be applied to any engine, transmission, or generator, and will greatly reduce the risks of equipment failure in your yacht. If you have any specific questions feel free to give us a call.
When Should I Change My Engine’s Oil?
The best rule of thumb and what we generally recommend is to change your engine’s oil every 100 hours or once a year. You might ask why every 100 hours, and why once a year?
Why Every 100 Hours?
Engines naturally wear down over time causing debris to accumulate in the oil. That used oil has also lost some of it’s qualities and additives that keep your engine clean and lubricated. Changing the oil every 100 hours is a proactive way to remove debris and replenish the engine with clean oil that has fresh additives to keep your engine properly lubricated at all times.
Why Once A Year?
So what if you don’t put more then 50 hours a year on your engines? We still recommend getting the oil changed at least once a year. Even though that oil isn’t being ran through the engine often, oil has timeline. Oil is made up of additives and protective properties that allow it to keep it’s lubricity when heated up and cooled down. These properties start breaking down immediately after they have been used in your engine. The oil just sitting in the pan of your engine will absorb moisture and oxygen, which over time deteriorates the quality and lubricity of the oil.
Fuel Filters
We also recommend at the same interval to replace your fuel filters. Doing the fuel filters at the same interval protects your engine from water, algae, or dirty fuel from getting into your fuel system. Replacing those at the same time as the oil is also a convenient way to keep your yacht’s service organized.
When Should I Change My Transmission’s Oil?
For transmissions often called “gears” the best rule of thumb and what we recommend for the oil/fluid change interval, is to simply have it done at the same time as your engine oil change. That being every 100 hours or once a year. Here’s why we recommend that.
Your transmission’s naturally wear down over time just as the engines do. They heat up and they cool down, and just like the engines the oil/fluid inside your transmission is wearing down just by sitting there.
When Should I Replace My Engine’s Coolant?
We recommend replacing the coolant in your engine every two years. Coolant wears down just like oil does, and it will loose it’s anticorrosive properties over time. When coolant loses it’s properties it will rust the engine from the inside out. Changing the coolant every two years will protect your engine from internal rust, and ultimately extend the life of your engine.
What About The Intervals For My Generator?
We recommend the exact same intervals for generators. Every 100 hours or once a year for an oil change, and to replace the fuel filters. Every two years the coolant should be replaced.