Engine servicing after 21 hrs

[baz]

I'm planning a trip of about 200 miles in a few months time. I have but approx 21 hrs on the R25's Yanmar 150 HP engine, 12 months of ownership (June 2009 to now) from factory delivery and no engine servicing has been done during this time.

I've checked the engine and boat out recently on very short trips. Starting the engine after it not being run for about 4 months over the winter period did not present any issues -- just a little more blue ghost-like smoke than normal for first few minutes.

I understand the first engine service is required at 50 hrs of operation.

Am I correct in assuming I can take the boat out on an extended trip without first doing an engine service. Maybe I simply need an oil change?

Advice appreciated. Thanks... 🙂

 

[Levitation]

Oil is changed by two criteria, engine running hours and time... For recreational boats that have low engine running hours per season, change the engine oil at the start of every boating season... Fresh oil is cheap insurance...

Being anal I would also change the filter at the start of the season but you don't have to... The oil filter can be changed at roughly the recommended intervals, even during the trip... The oil does not have to be changed at the same time as the filter, if it is still relatively fresh and clean on the drip test..
Drip test is to dribble a few drops off the dip stick onto a clean white surface (an old saucer plate works well) and look at the color and clarity - it will go from crystalline golden amber to brown to black as time goes by... Also put a drop between your fingers and rub it each time... You will begin to appreciate the change in feel as the oil accumulates carbon... And smell the dip stick each time and you will begin to notice the change from fresh petroleum to that faintly burnt smell of used oil... If you do the drip and smell and rub every morning when you check the oil before starting out for the day there will come the day when you say, "self, it's time for an oil change" and no matter what the hour meter reads and you will be right... I do this with my airplane engines and wind up changing the oil at roughly 35 hours each time, whereas 50 hours is the recommended interval... My engines always go past the expected overhaul time...

Going past the 50 hours first inspection for the rest of the drive train is not that important as you can do most of it piecemeal... Look in your engine manual, it details the point by point inspection, belt tension, lube the control cables, and fluids to be changed... If the transmission oil change becomes way over due during the extended trip, then change it and clean the screen while on the trip... It is not a major job...

cheers - and pardon the verbosity

 

[bbrh842]

If you are a purist, you can do the 50 hour oil and filter change 25 hours into your trip.
Otherwise, change the oil and filter before you leave, and forget about the 50 hour oil change.