Used boat

[Rockjumper]

Hi all, new member here. I'm considering buying a used tug with the Volvo D4 260 engine. It's in good condition and has been very lightly used with less than 70 hours over four years.

My concern is that it's never had an oil change. I'm guessing the maintenance schedule calls for oil changes on time (yearly) and hours.

Should I be concerned about crankcase condensation ect. with the lack of oil changes? Any other issues I should check out? It's spent most the time on a trailer if that makes a difference.

Appreciate your input/opinions.

 

[Cutwater28GG]

you can send the oil off for analysis. they may be able to advise.
normal oil change is yearly if not reaching the hourly number. my definition of good condition would include all relevant servicing having been completed.

seems like a good way to negotiate a discount should there be premature engine failure.

 

[dgiles]

A question to ask if why didn't they change the oil? If too cheap, that is a huge concern as other things may also be neglected. If it was because of simply not knowing, well then what else did they not know about. I mean, oil changes and fuel filters are pretty much the min basic one should know about.
Someone who maybe stretches it across 2 years due to low hours is one thing, but 4?
Overall, probably not a big issue on a newer low hour boat, but to the point above, I would do an oil analysis.

 

[scross]

My concern is not the low total hours on the engine but rather the distribution of those hours over the past four years.
If the engine has been run every month for 30 minutes each time then I would not be as concerned about the lack of an oil change as I would be if the boat had 70 hours on it in the first 3 months of use and then the engine wasn’t run for the next 45 months!
I’d insist on an oil analysis. I use these guys. Very happy with their analysis and reports.
https://www.blackstone-labs.com/engine-types/diesel/

 

[Rockjumper]

Thanks all for the great advice!