Oil Change System

[Obx]

What type of electric oil change systems are out there and where is the old oil pumped to.
Thanks
Obx

 

[DavidM]

X-Change-R and Reverso make permanantly installed oil change pumps and systems. They are plumbed to a fitting on the bottom of the oil pan and have a hose that goes in a container for emptying or an oil jug for filling. There are different models for 1 or 2 engines and a genset.

Very easy to use. Drop the hose in a waste oil container and turn it on until no more oil pumps out. Then reverse a valve and drop the hose in a container of fresh oil to pump it in.

David

 

[Capt.Bill11]

What type of electric oil change systems are out there and where is the old oil pumped to.
Thanks
Obx

Google it.

But basically there two main types of pumps, metal gear drive and impeller style.

I prefer gear drive since you almost never have to replace the gears and they can pump cold oil.

As to where the old oil goes, to a bucket, on board dirty oil tank, over board to a bucket, etc. Depends on the set up and where you want it to go.

 

[Bacchus]

Obx
I have the X-Change-R plumbed to main engine & gen.
I used to pump to a 5 gal container but have started saving my 1 Gal oil containers when filling and now pump directly to the 1 gal containers. This saves a step of filling them from the 5 gal container.
I either give them to a friend that has a waste oil burner for heat or recycle at my local service station.

Question for others...
I have been reluctant to refill using the system as I'd rather not pump the hose full of dirty back into the engine. Filling from the 1 gal containers using a funnel hasn't been a real chore. I figure there is already some residual left inthe engine why add more???
Wondering how others feel about this?

 

[DavidM]

Don:

The pump on my X-Change-R will pump air when all of the oil is out, so I believe that there is very little oil left in the plumbing- maybe a 1/4-1/2 cupful. Since at least 2 quarts are left anyway, that much oil is trivial.

So I use the system to refill. Very easy, particularly if you are filling from 2-1/2 gallon jugs. Takes about 1-1/2 of those jugs for my Yanmar 6LY. I save them to put the old oil in for the next change.

David

 

[Capt.Bill11]

Don:

The pump on my X-Change-R will pump air when all of the oil is out, so I believe that there is very little oil left in the plumbing- maybe a 1/4-1/2 cupful. Since at least 2 quarts are left anyway, that much oil is trivial.

So I use the system to refill. Very easy, particularly if you are filling from 2-1/2 gallon jugs. Takes about 1-1/2 of those jugs for my Yanmar 6LY. I save them to put the old oil in for the next change.

David

What David said. ^

 

[kchace]

PO installed a gear pump with three ball valves plumbed one each to both mains and gen. Open a valve, put hose in container and turn on switch. Takes maybe a minute or 2 to suck 15qts from a main. Turn off switch, close valve. No mess no fuss. Love it.
I also save enough empty oil containers in case I have to change oil in an emergency - like for water contamination from a failed oil HE.

Ken

 

[O C Diver]

I have an x change system tied to engine, gear, and generator. Only use it to suck the old oil out. Prefer to pour the new oil in for less contamination. Each takes a different type of oil.

Ted

 

[porman]

I have an oil exchange system for the two mains and the generator. The generator has a valve at the oil pan to shut off the oil but the two main engines do not. I can't even touch the bottom of the oil pans. Is this normal and does anyone worry about a hose possibly splitting and losing the engine oil? I have plenty of things that keep me awake at night as it is.

 

[Capt.Bill11]

I have an oil exchange system for the two mains and the generator. The generator has a valve at the oil pan to shut off the oil but the two main engines do not. I can't even touch the bottom of the oil pans. Is this normal and does anyone worry about a hose possibly splitting and losing the engine oil? I have plenty of things that keep me awake at night as it is.

There are other things to worry about.

 

[O C Diver]

I have an oil exchange system for the two mains and the generator. The generator has a valve at the oil pan to shut off the oil but the two main engines do not. I can't even touch the bottom of the oil pans. Is this normal and does anyone worry about a hose possibly splitting and losing the engine oil? I have plenty of things that keep me awake at night as it is.

I would be more worried about about the propane tank spontaneously exploding. The oil change hose is under almost zero pressure when the engine is running.

Ted

 

[Lepke]

I have a pump out system using a gear pump and a waste oil tank with a deck fitting for pumping out. I have a section of hose between the oil pans and plumbing so vibration won't damage piping. I buy oil in 5 gallon buckets and don't find that difficult to fill engine oil. Most commercial fuel docks have an oil pump out hose or tube. Many commercial operators change their oil at the fuel dock.

 

[dhays]

I have a Reverso pump. This is new to me and I have to admit that I love it. It is connected to my engine and the genset. Even though it has a triple manifold it is not connected to my transmission. I may do that in the future. I use a couple of three gallon plastic fuel jugs for the waste oil. They are easy to transport to the auto parts store and then poor into the waste oil container.

 

[North Baltic sea]

Obx
I have the X-Change-R plumbed to main engine & gen.
I used to pump to a 5 gal container but have started saving my 1 Gal oil containers when filling and now pump directly to the 1 gal containers. This saves a step of filling them from the 5 gal container.
I either give them to a friend that has a waste oil burner for heat or recycle at my local service station.

Question for others...
I have been reluctant to refill using the system as I'd rather not pump the hose full of dirty back into the engine. Filling from the 1 gal containers using a funnel hasn't been a real chore. I figure there is already some residual left inthe engine why add more???
Wondering how others feel about this?

I have U-lube oil chage systems Engine, gearbox and generator, work very fine. I would not change because the system off, it's fast, easy and, above all, to reduce cleaning. dirty oil is really disappointing to clean surfaces

Our questions. first empty the oil gearbox, generator and finally the engine. After implementing the reverse order. My engine takes 13 liters of new oil in the pipe if a cup of dirty oil, I think it does not affect much in relation to the new oil. Next, the generator it uses different oil than the end of the engine, and then again in different transmission oil quality. that's why this order to fill, Cummins wants 15W40 high demands on the API. the generator must not be used as "better quality" but it wants to old-time 15W40 oil. gearbox wants one type of SAE 30 oil. I believe that the volume of the tube is so small that it does not cause a change in the quality of oil which harm.

 

[RT Firefly]

Greetings,
Reverso system here. Re-fill with funnel and NOT the pump. Save empty containers for waste oil. 8-10 empty gallon containers do take up space but they are light and are stored in the FB "eyebrow". I will use the Reverso pump the next time I change transmission oil and since there is no drain plug in the transmission, I will have to draw out through the dipstick hole.

 

[ranger58sb]

Ours is an Oil X-Change-R system, a model with metal impeller and a 5-gang manifold, plumbed to both mains, both gears, and the genset.

The metal impeller may or may not pump cold oil in our case; if it's too cold, either the onboard glass fuse or the circuit breaker at the panel may trip first. Hence our normal technique: run the boat (mains and genset) up the river and back, pump out old oil while it's still warm... enjoy the rest of the day, finish up the work the next day when the engine room and filters have cooled down.

I pump old oil to empty 5-gallon buckets, original lid still attached, with screw-on cap for the pour spout, for disposal usually into our marina's recycling tank.

It's a lot of work to open the engine room hatches to provide enough clearance to refill from the top... so we don't. We use the pump. (In fact, the boat builder carpeted over those hatches in the saloon, thinking refills would happen through the pump system. I fixed that, but still use the pump system to refill.)

Refilling is from a combination of 5-gallon buckets or 2½ gallon jugs (depending on which I find), 1 gallon bottles, and 1 quart bottles (latter mostly for filling the port oil filter once it's near the fitting, and upright)... plus some trial and error. Not too difficult, once normal quantities in each destination have been figured out and noted. For example, each gear takes 1 gallon. Easy. The 2½ gallon jugs have become my preference for the larger quantities, simply because they're easier to hump around compared to the 5 gallon pails.

I did give some thought to residual old oil in the system, but the quantities in any of the 5 lines would be very minimal.... so I don't worry much about that.

-Chris

 

[smitty477]

"Only use it to suck the old oil out. Prefer to pour the new oil in for less contamination."


"Re-fill with funnel and NOT the pump."


Yes - that is what we have been doing. Two mains, genset and two gears utilizing the pump tp remove old lubes.

 

[Ex Sailor]

What type of electric oil change systems are out there and where is the old oil pumped to.
Thanks
Obx

I installed a Groco gear pump system c/w 5 port manifold, for the 2 engines, 2 transmissions and the gen., and love it ! You can use this in reverse to fill, if you measure out the quantities before hand. The only problem you may have is having enough clearance under the engine(s) oil pan(s) to accommodate an angle fitting for the discharge hose. I used Hydraulic hose fittings ( hose too ) because they are shorter and can swivel which makes for easier assembly / connections. FB

 

[Ski in NC]

Hand pump for me. Not worth the money or the extra clutter in engine room. Takes 15min to suck five gal from pigtail hose permanently attached to bottom of main engine sump. Gennie and gear use suction bottle and little hose into dipstick tubes.

 

[Gordon J]

or even larger

X-Change-R and Reverso make permanantly installed oil change pumps and systems. They are plumbed to a fitting on the bottom of the oil pan and have a hose that goes in a container for emptying or an oil jug for filling. There are different models for 1 or 2 engines and a genset.

Very easy to use. Drop the hose in a waste oil container and turn it on until no more oil pumps out. Then reverse a valve and drop the hose in a container of fresh oil to pump it in.

David

My boat came with a system plumbed to both generators, both engines and both transmissions - six lines in all.

Gordon

 

[bayview]

my system is hooked via manifold to the engines and genny. I added a fourth tap and valve so I could hook up a hose to drain the trannys. I also fill back through the same system. I use a 6 gallon gerry type plastic can to hold used oil but suck new oil from 1 gallon jugs because they are easier to carry.

I cant think of a simpler way to change oil.

Now if i could only find an automatic filter changer.....

 

[dhays]

Hand pump for me. Not worth the money or the extra clutter in engine room. Takes 15min to suck five gal from pigtail hose permanently attached to bottom of main engine sump. Gennie and gear use suction bottle and little hose into dipstick tubes.

I did that for years and never liked any of the pump systems I had. I finally bought a decent pump (can't recall the brand) and it made the job a lot easier. However, since the boat I bought came with a reverso unit, it is SO much easier, faster, and less messy.

 

[Shoalwaters]

I have a small impeller pump mounted on a board which can be connected to Fumoto valves on the oil pans on my two engines and generator. Connection is by clear hose that I hang up to drain afterwards and stow in a Zip-Lok bag. It doesn't get much cleaner and easier than this unless you have a hard-piped system.

http://www.trawlerforum.com/forums/s6/engine-oil-drain-valve-7187.html

If considering a permanent drain-hose connected to the oil-pan, I would want a valve on the pan. Failing this, at least armoured hose with threaded connection to the pan plus a screwed plug in the down-stream end.

 

[North Baltic sea]

my system is hooked via manifold to the engines and genny. I added a fourth tap and valve so I could hook up a hose to drain the trannys. I also fill back through the same system. I use a 6 gallon gerry type plastic can to hold used oil but suck new oil from 1 gallon jugs because they are easier to carry.

I cant think of a simpler way to change oil.

Now if i could only find an automatic filter changer.....

I suggest you ask the admiral, now going through a time of equality.

I know one more convenient way to complete an oil change, maintenance guy, hand open your money

 

[bayview]

Wow you are brave. Are you always single handing now?

 

[rwidman]

I have a pump mounted on a bucket. The kind you see in the catalogs. The PO left it on the boat. It sucks the oil out through the dipstick tube and into the bucket. The pump is reversible so I can pump the used oil into the empty containers for disposal.

 

[Ski in NC]

I have a bunch of 2.5gal Rotella jugs. Very handy size for handling old oil. 5gal buckets get a little ungainly to handle, and with lids they do not drain all the way.

Rotella has a special going on: Buy 2.5gal of their oil and you get a free 2.5gal jug.

 

[rwidman]

..............

Rotella has a special going on: Buy 2.5gal of their oil and you get a free 2.5gal jug.

Where is that?

I have used the 2.5 gallon containers but they don't seem as convenient as the one gallon containers, especially when I'm cruising and changing the oil in a transient marina. And, at least at Walmart, there's no savings.

 

[twistedtree]

I love oil change pumps, but one caution to avoid a little scare I had.

I was regularly taking oil samples at oil change time, using the pump to draw out oil, and after the flow was good an steady, I'd divert some into the oil sample container.

Well, I was getting unusually high copper levels back from the oil sample reports. At first they said it was just break in as the engines had less than 200 hrs on them. But it continued and I started to get concerned.

Then it finally occurred to me that I had bronze gears in the oil pump, and was likely getting contamination from them. I took the next sample drawn directly from the oil pan (the way you are supposed to do it, I should add ) and the analysis came back perfect.

So don't use your change pump to take oil samples.

 

[Ski in NC]

Where is that?

I have used the 2.5 gallon containers but they don't seem as convenient as the one gallon containers, especially when I'm cruising and changing the oil in a transient marina. And, at least at Walmart, there's no savings.

I was being a little "tongue in cheek". The jug the oil comes in is free. Does not work real well for the first oil change, but does for the second!!