Yanmar 3YM30 Oil Drain Location?

[ssullivan]

Never thought I'd have to ask a quesiton this stupid.

I am looking at doing my first oil change on my 2005 Yanmar 3YM30's. They have a rather large bolt looking like it should be a drain plub where the dipstik tube terminates.

Reading the manual, it talks about "pumping" the oil out with "the oil pump."

What the hell are they talking about?? ha ha

Do people really just use a straw and suck the oil out of these engines rather than using the proper drainplug at the bottom of the pan (which allows debris to be drained as well?)

Any advice on how to change the oil on these would be helpful. Man, do I feel stupid. Flubbed up by an oil change!

[David M]

Sean,
It's not a dumb question at all. For some diesels it is best to pump the oil out the dipstick...yeah seriously. Its slow but it works. You will want to run the engine first to warm up the oil so it is less viscous. For many boats the oil pan plug is too close to the hull to get a pan under it. You can buy a kit for doing this that is basically a plastic bucket with a 12 volt pump bolted to the lid. The good part?...you don't have to put the new oil back in the same way.

Porta-Quick Portable Oil Changer from Wholesale Marine I know what you are thinking...oh crap, one more thing to buy.

David

[TabbyCat]

I have not one but TWO of them Yanmars 3YM30s. Here is a link to the pump I use
Amazon.com: Mityvac 7400 7.3 Liter Fluid Evacuator: Automotive

[Inlet Marine Services]

I looked at the parts blow out and the only plug I see is in very bottom. But this is not unusual for some Yanmars have no drain plug. You suck the oil out of the dip stick tube. Yanmar sells a optional manual pump but most people use a 12 vdc type.

[Strygaldwir]

I have two 3ym30's I use a Surflo pump, oil container. connect it to the battery and away I go. Normally there would be no way to get a pan or some other container under the engine in most installations, thus the suck it through the dipstick tube approach!

[imagine2frolic]

May I mention the Jabsco hand pump once again with the small straw as you called it.

[ssullivan]

thanks for the info. I also have 2 of these engines, of course.

I used the hand pump squeeze bulb from an outboard tank plumbed to a bunch of custom crap (MyGyver style) to suck it out of the tube.

Seems odd they don't drain out of the bottom.

[never monday]

Originally Posted by ssullivan

Seems odd they don't drain out of the bottom.

not at all
Where would that oil go if someone didn't install the drain plug correctly?

[ssullivan]

Originally Posted by never monday

not at all
Where would that oil go if someone didn't install the drain plug correctly?

I guess it's all gone the way of the dipstick oil recovery. I thought (as a young old timer who used to work on engines in the 80's) that you needed to get any little metal shavings or other bits of engine out, so you always wanted to use the lowest point - or drain plug.

Maybe the new Yanmars are so great they produce no metal.

[never monday]

Originally Posted by ssullivan

I guess it's all gone the way of the dipstick oil recovery. I thought (as a young old timer who used to work on engines in the 80's) that you needed to get any little metal shavings or other bits of engine out, so you always wanted to use the lowest point - or drain plug.

Maybe the new Yanmars are so great they produce no metal.

2 points
1) oil containment ranks higher than saving the engine
3) The filter is there to collect you shavings

[ssullivan]

Originally Posted by never monday

2 points
1) oil containment ranks higher than saving the engine
3) The filter is there to collect you shavings

That's why you're the pro and I'm the amateur.

Thanks for the info.

[AnchorageGuy]

My last conversation with Yanmar was that any engine with a drain added in the pan or at the oil stick would have the warranty voided if indeed it was under warranty.

[never monday]

Chuck,
the key to that is the added part. The JH and larger series have dipsticks that go to the bottom of the pan.

[Artful Dodger]

I drain my yanmar 3y30m from its drain plug, its on the left hand side near the oil filter, as you face the front of the engine.

[AnchorageGuy]

Originally Posted by never monday

Chuck,
the key to that is the added part. The JH and larger series have dipsticks that go to the bottom of the pan.

Yep, I drain mine and any I work on with a flexi tube in the dip stick tube and a reversible pump.