The Importance of Oil Sampling
Oil analysis is one of the most effective ways to protect the major systems on your vessel. Much like a medical blood test provides insight into a person’s health, oil sampling reveals the internal condition of your engine, transmission, and generator without needing to take them apart.
Key Benefits of Oil Sampling:
Early Problem Detection
Oil samples can identify small amounts of wear metals, coolant leaks, fuel dilution, or other contaminants before they cause major failures. This allows corrective action to be taken early, minimizing downtime and avoiding costly repairs.Reliability and Assurance
Engines, transmissions, and generators are the heart of any yacht. Routine oil testing gives you that health check, so that you’re aware of your yachts equipment condition. It gives you that extra assurance when you’re out on the water knowing that things internal of your engine, transmission, or generator, are good to go.Cost Savings
Addressing issues that are made known through oil sampling before they escalate can save thousands of dollars in parts and labor. Depending on what engine, transmission, or generator you have it could even save a hundred thousand or more in expenses. Regular oil testing is a small expense that delivers significant long-term value.Confidence for Owners and Buyers
Documented oil analysis results provide peace of mind for owners and can also add credibility during a sale by demonstrating consistent maintenance and care.
The photo above is the inside of an oil pan on a Mercruiser 6.2l Horizon. This engine had salt water contamination in the oil, but thankfully it was caught early enough where we were able disassemble parts of the engine and clean it out in order to save this engine from a catastrophic failure. Crazy enough both engines on this vessel had salt water contamination, but unfortunately one of them had already been destroyed when we got the call.
Below is a photo of the other engine that we stripped down to the long block before it was removed and replaced with a new one.
This photo is one of the points where catastrophic failure occurred on the engine pictured above. If you look closely you can see where what’s called the pushrod had punched it’s way through what’s called the rocker arm. This indicates the valve had seized due to rusting from salt water.
This is when the oil sample was taken on the engine that was still running. The salt water was clearly identified by the color of the oil, and we were able to take action quickly enough to save that engine.
