Go Back  Offshoreonly.com > Technical > General Q & A
Engine Pre lube systems >

Engine Pre lube systems

Notices

Engine Pre lube systems

Old 10-22-2014, 08:21 PM
  #1  
RIPSTA Racing Team
VIP Member
Thread Starter
 
fireboatpilot's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Philadelphia, PA
Posts: 2,093
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
Default Engine Pre lube systems

How many guys out there are using engine pre lube systems on their expensive engines? Is it worth the expense and if you had them laying in your shop, would you bother to install them? I have 2 like new systems sitting here from Master Lube and can't decide whether or not to put them on. Advantages or disadvantages, comments or questions, I don't hear much on the subject so I figure I would toss it out there.
fireboatpilot is offline  
Old 10-22-2014, 08:31 PM
  #2  
Registered
iTrader: (3)
 
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: yorkville,il
Posts: 8,427
Received 87 Likes on 49 Posts
Default

i personally dont see much need for them.i have a 99 tahoe with 191 thousand on it and it can get pretty cold here in chicagoland.if it does not need a preluber neither do my 1200 hp boat engines!
mike tkach is offline  
Old 10-22-2014, 10:03 PM
  #3  
Registered
iTrader: (3)
 
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: chicago
Posts: 11,332
Received 71 Likes on 39 Posts
Default

Originally Posted by mike tkach
i personally dont see much need for them.i have a 99 tahoe with 191 thousand on it and it can get pretty cold here in chicagoland.if it does not need a preluber neither do my 1200 hp boat engines!
close to a million miles on my semi tractor. has like 34,000 hours on the engine. Has been started with 15w40 oil for the past 16 chicago winters. Oil pressure still in spec and hasnt had the valve cover off.

I'd rather invest in spring oilers or piston oilers before investing in a preluber. Thats just my opinion though. I'm just a truck driver/wanna be mechanic
MILD THUNDER is offline  
Old 10-23-2014, 07:02 AM
  #4  
Forum Regulator
VIP Member
iTrader: (1)
 
Sydwayz's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2001
Location: Worldwide
Posts: 23,820
Received 1,188 Likes on 515 Posts
Default

yschmidt has them on his big cube motors on his Cigaratte bullet and he claims they are one of the best investments he ever made in the boat.
Sydwayz is offline  
Old 10-23-2014, 10:31 AM
  #5  
Registered
 
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Metamora MI
Posts: 720
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

Originally Posted by MILD THUNDER
close to a million miles on my semi tractor. has like 34,000 hours on the engine. Has been started with 15w40 oil for the past 16 chicago winters. Oil pressure still in spec and hasnt had the valve cover off.

I'd rather invest in spring oilers or piston oilers before investing in a preluber. Thats just my opinion though. I'm just a truck driver/wanna be mechanic
I would like to get 1/100th of that many hours on my boat motor
hadleycat is offline  
Old 10-23-2014, 10:34 AM
  #6  
SORE MEMBER
Platinum Member
 
Wobble's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: 29°50'49.74"N 95° 5'17.55"W.......TEXAS
Posts: 6,989
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
Default

I have run an accusump for the past ten years, allows me to run less oil in the sump and reduce windage. Also prelubes engine at startup. simple and effective.

http://www.accusump.com/
Wobble is offline  
Old 10-23-2014, 10:47 AM
  #7  
BUP
Banned
iTrader: (9)
 
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Ft. Worth TX
Posts: 9,594
Likes: 0
Received 41 Likes on 35 Posts
Default

I am in favor of them especially for marine apps that sit for 6 months to whenever around here with the darn drought. Depending on what motor oil is used as I summarize / spring commission a lot of boats - IMO the dry start ups can cause a lot wear plus the lifter bleed down that took plus over lay up time and so on. Like I said depending on motor oil, some of these marine engines at first start up will have a lot of valve train noise until that motor oil builds enough pressure / flows thru the engine. I have notice this especially with the 496 customers using Amsoil 15-40 diesel / marine oil. I also have notice customers using VR1 Valvoline straight 40 w do not have this problem with valve train / dry start up noise after long term layup. FWIW
BUP is offline  
Old 10-23-2014, 11:31 AM
  #8  
Registered
 
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: rock Island wa
Posts: 1,953
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes on 2 Posts
Default

I've wondered in the past if you were to pull the coil wire and crank it over for a few seconds to move some oil back up, is that a good thing or a waste of time?
After a lengthy layup is what I'm referring to.
Thanks ken
buck35 is offline  
Old 10-23-2014, 11:40 AM
  #9  
Registered
 
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Troy, Mich
Posts: 2,728
Likes: 0
Received 6 Likes on 5 Posts
Default

Most of your engine wear is at start up. The synthetics leave more of a microscopic film which reduces this.

Not trying to start anything, just telling you what the automotive co have found.

Wannabe
wannabe is offline  
Old 10-23-2014, 11:47 AM
  #10  
BUP
Banned
iTrader: (9)
 
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Ft. Worth TX
Posts: 9,594
Likes: 0
Received 41 Likes on 35 Posts
Default

Ken actually Mercruiser recommends to do this as for a pre luber after long term storage. They want you to pull all the spark plugs out dismantle the fuel supply / (fuse or connection) dismantle spark as well and crank motor over X amount times for no more than 10 seconds max at one time. The other way Mercruiser lists is thru the distributor hole and drill combo. They even list this procedure for their reman engine replacement before any start up. They do not list how to pre lube any of their distributorless engines for manually doing it but still list pulling the spark plugs out and cranking over the engine like I said.

I do not like cranking the engine over to pre lube for a new or reman engine replacement. I would hate to nick a bearing or score a bearing from the rotating assemblies.

On distributorless engines you can pre lube thru the oil sender with a manual oil pump device / pump or use a pressurized remote oil tank like what Melling sells or Motive Products. Use can even use the same set up that you have for filling your outdrive just do not use gear lube. There is a few other ways to pre lube an engine as well.

Last edited by BUP; 10-23-2014 at 01:24 PM.
BUP is offline  

Contact Us - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Terms of Service

Copyright © 2024 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Use of this site indicates your consent to the Terms of Use.