Engine Oil Volume Discrepancy

KlaassyC

Well-known member
Joined
Mar 5, 2021
Messages
74
Fluid Motion Model
C-26
Vessel Name
Klaassy
So I completed a full 2 year service on the D4-260 in my C28 yesterday and have a weird problem. I sucked out less than 12L but when I refilled it took over 14. I idled the engine for 30 seconds in between top ups to ensure filters were full but this seems strange. I did wait a minute or so after running to check the level. Anyone experienced this before?
Also, this engine is actually pretty easy to service considering it’s crammed into a small space.


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My guess is your engine is over full of oil. The D4 and D6 engine oil filters are installed upside down. The oil level check should always be done after the engine has been stopped for at least 15 minutes (hot engine) longer if the engine is not hot. This allows the oil in the filters and the engine to drain back own to the pan for proper oil level check. It is best to maintain a level in the middle of the full and add marks always keeping the level in the hatch mark area of the dip stick. For a true oil level check it is best to wait at least an hour after the engine is stopped. I always do my oil checks before starting the engine when the engine is cool and I know all oil is drained back to the pan. This insures that the oil level is checked properly.

I did a maintenance seminar last winter at the SWF rendezvous. I had Volvo D4 and D6 owners asking why the oil levels were always high when they checked the oil after the engine had been at rest for a while . One of the owners had their oil recently changed by a service technician and when we checked it we found it 2 qts over full.

Some technicians are in a hurry and don't read manuals.
Last two steps in Volvo Penta manual
Start the engine. Check that the oil pressure warn-ing lamp goes out and that no leakage occurs by the filters.


Stop the engine. Wait one hour before checking the oil level again since the oil needs time to run down to the oli pan. Top up if necessary.


Owners manual

IMPORTANT! Do not check the oil level directly after the engine is shut down. The oil in the en-gine needs time run down to the oil pan before a correct oil level check can be performed. Wait 15 minutes if the engine has been run up to normal operating temperatures. Wait one hour if the engine only has been run at idle.

IMPORTANT! The oil level should always be be-tween the MAX and MIN marks on the dipstick. Higher or lower oil level than permitted could lead to engine damage

NOTE! The volume between MAX and MIN is apporx. 1.5 liter (0.4 US gals) for D4 and 3.5 liter ( 0.9 US gals) for D6.
 
Thanks Bryan, you were correct. I just checked after it sat overnight and it’s over the full mark. I will remove the excess


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I’m going to add something I was told by a Yanmar experienced mechanic that I trust.
There are two oil dipsticks on the Yanmar 4BY2-150/180 engines. One near the port side front and one on the starboard side down low. Because the back of the engine is slightly titled down relative to the front of the engine, the oil levels shown on the two dipsticks is slightly different.
The starboard side dipstick is suppose to be more accurate. The port side dipstick is much easier to access though. If you use the port side dipstick just realize that it should read middle level of the dipstick at most. The port side dipstick, because of its location will slightly understate the actual oil level in a cold engine. If you fill to the top mark on the port side dipstick you are overfilling.
 
I too have experienced this where I have added only what I extracted only to find out it doesn’t register in the diptick even though it was slightly below max before I extrated. If you keep you boat on a trailer like I do double check the level when you put it in the water the attitude of the boat can make a big difference. My asphalt pad was is sloped to the stern and the level of my jack stand was not the same to mimick to boat being in the water. As Brian said give it lots of time to settle into the pan both when you fill and when you add. It takes awhile.
 
scross":24eclrr8 said:
There are two oil dipsticks on the Yanmar 4BY2-150/180 engines. One near the port side front and one on the starboard side down low. Because the back of the engine is slightly titled down relative to the front of the engine, the oil levels shown on the two dipsticks is slightly different.
The starboard side dipstick is suppose to be more accurate.
I have a 4BY2-180 in my 2012 R27. The above is what I experience on my boat. When the port side dipstick shows oil level at the lower end of the acceptable range, the starboard side dipstick shows full.
 
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