Oil levels in marine engine
Oil levels in marine engine
(OP)
This has to do with a ship engine but I will post here because I think this site is more engine specific.
The company I work with which has mostly EMD 16 cylinder and Fairbank Morse 8 cylinder engines, has a habit of keeping the oil level low in effort to burn less lubrication oil.
I hate the idea. They seem to keep the oil on the add mark of even a bit under then just add 20 to 40 liters.
I am a 4th class and new there so I cant say anything but I think that it is wrong.
On the dip stick there is a add mark and a full mark and I would keep it on the full mark.
I am quite sure the engineer already compensated for waves of the seas.
I don't doubt that the engines burn more oil when kept up in level, but I think that is the amount they burn and lowering the level in the oil pan is just compensating for poor oil control rings.
I would like to hear what anybody has to say.
The company I work with which has mostly EMD 16 cylinder and Fairbank Morse 8 cylinder engines, has a habit of keeping the oil level low in effort to burn less lubrication oil.
I hate the idea. They seem to keep the oil on the add mark of even a bit under then just add 20 to 40 liters.
I am a 4th class and new there so I cant say anything but I think that it is wrong.
On the dip stick there is a add mark and a full mark and I would keep it on the full mark.
I am quite sure the engineer already compensated for waves of the seas.
I don't doubt that the engines burn more oil when kept up in level, but I think that is the amount they burn and lowering the level in the oil pan is just compensating for poor oil control rings.
I would like to hear what anybody has to say.





RE: Oil levels in marine engine
Aside from that, they're improving oil consumption at the expense of a little bit of additional wear. Since the little bit of additional wear will eventually result in increased oil consumption (and finally a rebuild), I'm not sure it's that big of a problem.
RE: Oil levels in marine engine
With that being said, my experience is that typically the lower oil level only helps reduce oil being carried out of the crankcase ventilation system. Sometimes an air/oil separator may help; however, make sure that separator does not dump water condensates back into the oil sump (keep the separator hot enough not to condense the water).
RE: Oil levels in marine engine
Not a shiphand, but could it have something to do with a higher oil level accumulating somewhere while the engine is at rest, perhaps causing a problem after starting?
RE: Oil levels in marine engine
Low oil level was used for lower oil consumption (I don't think that realy works). In case of an oil leak, the alarm will go off faster, so less oil will be lost.
When the oil gets contaminated (gasoil leaks in the sump), less oil needs to be replaced...
But my experience, biggest oil consumer was and still is that old purifier! Like I said the chief engineer, if you wanna save lub oil, buy a new purifier!
He was really angry about that statement