So I do know how to check the oil level, but there is a weird thing with our M35A engine. Normally when I check oil on an engine I pull the stick out and wipe it off, then re-insert it, wait a few seconds, pull it out and read it. I am using the dipstick Universal put into the pan through their odd little tube gizmo with the removable top on the intake side of the engine, not the Kubota stick on the exhaust manifold side which is capped off on our engine.
With this engine, when I pull the dipstick out the first time there is almost zero oil on the stick. I wipe it off, put it back in, pull it out and it shows the oil level at the full mark. I put almost 5 litres of oil in the engine this spring and it checked properly then so I know it's got oil in it. Plus we've put about 30 hours on it since the spring and if it was reading lower than the dipstick we'd likely have bought a new engine by now.
Just wondering if anyone else experiences this and if so is there a reason for it?
Bud, others have commented in the past that this occurs because the dipstick seal 'stops off' the top of the tube (passage) inside the engine. Air is trapped in that passage, and it prevents the oil level from rising to the internal engine level. Removing the dipstick and reinserting it allows the oil to seek its true level.
Larry Brandt
S/V High Flight #2109
Pacific Northwest, PDX-based
2002 C-36 mkII SR/FK M35B
has caused me a moment or two of panic over the years.... some engineer is probably sitting back laughing:p
Gary and Cathy Price
1997 C36 Mk II Tall Rig/Wing Keel Imagine...
Hull # 1617
Worton Creek, Md.
Northern Chesapeake Bay
Hi Bud;
The phenomenon that you describe is common to most of the universal/westerbeke engines due to the fact the seal at the top of the dip stick is so good. When the engine runs, the oil level in the oil pan drops as oil is circulating through the engine. Once you shut down, the oil level rises in the dipstick tube until it compresses the air inside the tube. This results in an oil level indication lower than what is actually in the oil pan. When you remove the dip stick to check the oil level, the air pressure equalizes and the oil level in the tube rises to match that in the oil pan.
Same thing happens if you put your finger over the end of a straw and put it in a glass of water. The water level rises in the straw until it compresses the air in the straw and stops. When you remove your finger from the end of the straw, the water level in the straw rises to match that in the glass.
Tom & Janis Grover
C36 #0949
SR/WK, M25XP
Midland, ON
Been happenin' since the M25s in the very first C36s and our C34s.
Stu Jackson, C34IA Secretary, C34 #224, 1986, SR/FK, M25 engine, Rocna 10 (22#)
Can confirm with my M-25; took a while for my blood pressure to drop following a 4 hour stint of motoring.
Anyone have comments on possible results when overfilling an M-25 with oil? Saw some in my bilge last week.
James J, C36 MK I, Hull 537
I'd be careful about the 5 litres of oil, though. I have never been able to squeeze more than 4 qt. into it without overfilling. I am pretty confident that I get out all of the old oil first. The manual was edited to show 4 qt. capacity after one earlier manual had a misprint showing more oil.
Gene Foraker
Sandusky Yacht Club
Sandusky, OH
1999 C36 #1786
Gypsy Wagon
I concur with Gene, use caution not to over service you diesel with oil as it can have catastophic results. An overservice diesel can start forcing oil up through the oil control rings of the pistons and the engine will then run on its own lubricating oil uncontrolably at which point you either need to jamb it into gear to keep it from overspeeding or block the intake to shut it down.
I understand it gets very loud and very exciting.
This could be a danger with assuming the dip stick is accurate when first pulled out, always double check before adding oil.
Cepheus dream
C36 MK I # 825
MK I Tech Editor No Mas
My oil dipstick does the same.... I mistakenly added about 1/2 qt. too much to my M25XP and soon therafter developed a slight oil drip (at the weep hole / seal) of my raw water pump. I not an engineer, but I think the excess oil probably caused more pressure and that problem.
I'm not aware of anything good that comes form overfilling the oil reservoir...be extra careful not to do it.
Stephen Kruse
Kruse Control #1428
1995 C-36 MKII SR/WK
Lake Lanier, Ga.
Thanks for all the replies, we kind of thought it was something like that but given the size of the tube that Universal stuck in the pan I thought it unlikely. Our M3-20 in the 28 didn't do that so it was kind of shock the first time I pulled it out and it came out with no oil on it. Minor heart attack, visions of thousand dollar bills flying away, etc.
When I filled it, I put 4 litres in, then I added the last one a bit at a time until it was exactly on the full line. It was part of a 5th litre but not all of it. Our manual says 4.5 to 5 quarts, but I never trust that until I know an engine and get a better idea of what it holds.
Be very careful and perhaps contact Universal for the oil capacity of your engine if you have any doubt. My 1999 model came with an engine manual showing the higher oil capacity, but I was informed by others here in the association that it was a misprint. The newer engine manual on the Association membership CD shows just 4 qt of oil capacity. I think the manual was corrected sometime in late 1999 or 2000. The engine has not been changed so the newer manual is correct.
Gene Foraker
Sandusky Yacht Club
Sandusky, OH
1999 C36 #1786
Gypsy Wagon