First of all I would like to introduce myself to you all. This forum has saved me countless hours and helped me considerably in getting to know and diagnosing issues on my new-to-me 2006 Venture 23. One of the problems with such comprehensive archives is that I can find solutions to most of my issues by just searching! Like many of you it seems, I have until this point always been a sailor. However, my wife and I decided that a C-Dory was much more practical for how we wanted to spend our time (a little bit of a “the journey is just as important as the destination” mentality mixed with the attention span of two young kids).
We purchased the boat last October with ~430 hours on the 2005 Yamaha 115. When we bought the boat we were aware that it had some motor problems, which we thought were mostly ethanol related. Well, after working on the fuel system, cleaning and replacing several injectors, and replacing a stuck thermostat, the motor seems to be running just fine. We have put about 40 hours on the motor since October. Since we ironed out most of the motor problems (I say most due to issues we still have with engine stalling when quickly shifting and throttling—a problem for another day….), I have become somewhat complacent about checking the motor oil level.
While I was working on the boat today I checked the oil level, and to some shock I discovered it was overfilled by several inches! After some searching, I am thinking that this may be “blow-by”—the motor “making oil” by gas mixing into the oil. (The oil is not milky.) There is some information out there that suggests that engine lugging can cause this. Right now my top RPM is about 5000. I realize this is low. I am currently running a SS 17P prop, and have an aluminum 15P that I am going to install. (The Prop Shop in Mukilteo suggested I try a 15P to see how that helps, instead of going straight to a 13. They will let me test it out and return if it doesn’t work.)
My questions for everyone is whether you think I can solve my extra oil issue by merely changing the prop, especially since I just replaced the thermostat? Do I need to be concerned about what degree thermostat was installed? What else do I need to look into?
Thanks in advance for the help.
Sean
We purchased the boat last October with ~430 hours on the 2005 Yamaha 115. When we bought the boat we were aware that it had some motor problems, which we thought were mostly ethanol related. Well, after working on the fuel system, cleaning and replacing several injectors, and replacing a stuck thermostat, the motor seems to be running just fine. We have put about 40 hours on the motor since October. Since we ironed out most of the motor problems (I say most due to issues we still have with engine stalling when quickly shifting and throttling—a problem for another day….), I have become somewhat complacent about checking the motor oil level.
While I was working on the boat today I checked the oil level, and to some shock I discovered it was overfilled by several inches! After some searching, I am thinking that this may be “blow-by”—the motor “making oil” by gas mixing into the oil. (The oil is not milky.) There is some information out there that suggests that engine lugging can cause this. Right now my top RPM is about 5000. I realize this is low. I am currently running a SS 17P prop, and have an aluminum 15P that I am going to install. (The Prop Shop in Mukilteo suggested I try a 15P to see how that helps, instead of going straight to a 13. They will let me test it out and return if it doesn’t work.)
My questions for everyone is whether you think I can solve my extra oil issue by merely changing the prop, especially since I just replaced the thermostat? Do I need to be concerned about what degree thermostat was installed? What else do I need to look into?
Thanks in advance for the help.
Sean