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Engine Pumped Out 10 Quarts of Oil!

Discussion in 'Engines' started by RichV, Apr 10, 2026.

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  1. RichV, Apr 10, 2026
    #1
    RichV

    RichV Member

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    Detroit Diesel 6-71 TI, idle screw backed out and fell out. It pumped 10 quarts of oil into the bilge during an estimated 2 hour period. The engine holds at least 6 gallons of oil.

    Oil pressure remained good and no alarms. Since refilling, the engine and oil pressure all seem normal.

    How much damage was done?
  2. Capt Ralph, Apr 10, 2026
    #2
    Capt Ralph

    Capt Ralph Senior Member

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    Except for the mess, none.

    The idle screw and governor internals are all oil splash lubricated.
    Don't forget the lock nut and fresh copper washer when putting the idle screw back in. ☺
  3. RichV, Apr 25, 2026 at 8:33 AM
    #3
    RichV

    RichV Member

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    Something has changed. On startup, the oil pressure for that port engine goes to 75 psi, and lowers to normal (30 psi @1100 rpm) after 5-10 minutes. Neither engine has ever been above 45 psi since I've owned the boat.

    I changed the oil and oil filter. It was due, but I wanted to eliminate the possibility of the oil filter being clogged. The new oil filter did not make a difference.

    I ran the engine for 5 minutes before changing oil to warm the oil. When I removed the oil filter, oil gushed out. That did not happen with the starboard filter, and has never happened before.
  4. Capt Ralph, Apr 25, 2026 at 10:09 AM
    #4
    Capt Ralph

    Capt Ralph Senior Member

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    Cold/cool/not warm, fresh 40W oil will climb up to a tall pressure when the engine is first started.
    I understand 75psi is a bit tall but not meaning a failure.

    There are at least two oil pressure regulators in your engine to keep anything from getting over pressured.
    My notes show a 50psi regulator on the oil pump and a higher pressure (105psi ?) safety valve shortly after that.

    How many separate oil pressure gauges are on that engine? Could be interesting to read from an other sender/display when cold.

    Are you still @ 10 Gallons of oil in that engine?
    Of interest, my notes show 21.6 to 31 qts (plus filters & pending oil pan type) of engine oil for 6-71s.
  5. RichV, Apr 25, 2026 at 1:23 PM
    #5
    RichV

    RichV Member

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    I replaced the oil pressure sensor and the reading went back to the normal 45 psi.
    Maybe it was clogged? There is only one pressure gauge on the engine.
    I put in about 20 quarts of oil on this oil change.
  6. Capt Ralph, Apr 25, 2026 at 3:56 PM
    #6
    Capt Ralph

    Capt Ralph Senior Member

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    Then you were on it already. Great.
    I have 4 Nason senders on each of my Detroit's. Seems every 2 years, I'm always replacing one of them.
    Oh Well...

    Checking oil level in ole Detroit's has been a challenge for all.
    For years I have told everybody to check cold in the morning, should be just over the full mark.

    The book states run, let sit for 20 minutes and check for oil at the full mark.
    I did this the other day on my 12V71s, it was mid range.
    I filled it up to full adding another gallon.
    So that was 10 gallons with dual/oversized oil filters. So far, no symptoms of over filling when running.

    I found this other page in my notes;
    I'm not trying to start anything, just trying to be helpful. 2017-10-12 Detroit Oil Pan Caps.png
    Last edited: Apr 25, 2026 at 4:17 PM