anyone here change their oil in the fall AND in the spring again before running. I know some have suggested it other places and was curious if anyone here does this and why they do? BIG RED.... you are from what I can tell as fanatical about your stuff as anyone. and knowledgeable about engines. I want to hear your two cents too. thanks.
-
Welcome to the Checkmate Community Forums forums.
» Interact with over 10,000 Checkmate Fanatics from around the world!
You are currently viewing our boards as a guest which gives you limited access to view most discussions, articles and access to our other FREE features.
By joining our free community you will be able to:
» Post topics and messages
» Post and view photos
» Communicate privately with other members
» Access our extensive gallery of old Checkmate brochures located in our Media Gallery
» Browse the various pictures in our Checkmate photo gallery
Registration is fast, simple and absolutely free so please, join our community today!
If you have any problems with the registration process or your account login, please contact support by clicking here or by using the"contact us" link at the bottom of the page.
I/O oil change and layup
- Thread starter plastic1
- Start date
Big Red
Well-known member
I change my oil 4 times this year and took the boat out 12 times. I changed the foot oil 3 times. I am doing a fun run the 10th and that will probally the last time out maybe till April. But I will not change my oil again till spring. I will change my foot oil before winter storage. I really dont belive in changing the oil for winter storage unless its really nasty with gas from carb problems.
In the spring I crank my boat check everything out then change my oil before the first time to the lake. I just think its a waste to change it before storage. But its good to change the foot " drive " oil incase you got water in it without knowing.
But then again my boat stays inside year round and I do not get condensation on my engine from damp days.
In the spring I crank my boat check everything out then change my oil before the first time to the lake. I just think its a waste to change it before storage. But its good to change the foot " drive " oil incase you got water in it without knowing.
But then again my boat stays inside year round and I do not get condensation on my engine from damp days.
karzrus
Well-known member
The reasons that I have heard to change engine oil in the Fall are to get the byproducts of combustion(corrosive/abrasive) out of the running surfaces. So I allways change the oil first then do the rest of my winter prep. so the new oil gets circulated.
I like to check the leg oil often during the season, I checked it after every second time out(looking for water and eveidence of damage) and changed it twice this year. I also change all the drive oil at the end of the season as I want the boat ready to run in the spring and want to ensure no water in any gearcase for the storage period.
The only reasons I've heard to change out the oil again in the Spring.
1. Oil has a shelf life ( I was told this from a mechanic, he said car manufactures put a time period on oil changes not just a mileage period.) I struggle with this a bit as I don't see best before dates on the containers and I don't think that sitting in the bottle is all that different then sitting in the crankcase.
2. To get rid of the water due to condensation on the inside of the block during the storage period. I'm not sure how much water this could amount too but I'm leaving it and letting the motor deal with it on the first run.(it should evaporate out when the motor warms up even though boat motors often don't run very warm.)
I like to check the leg oil often during the season, I checked it after every second time out(looking for water and eveidence of damage) and changed it twice this year. I also change all the drive oil at the end of the season as I want the boat ready to run in the spring and want to ensure no water in any gearcase for the storage period.
The only reasons I've heard to change out the oil again in the Spring.
1. Oil has a shelf life ( I was told this from a mechanic, he said car manufactures put a time period on oil changes not just a mileage period.) I struggle with this a bit as I don't see best before dates on the containers and I don't think that sitting in the bottle is all that different then sitting in the crankcase.
2. To get rid of the water due to condensation on the inside of the block during the storage period. I'm not sure how much water this could amount too but I'm leaving it and letting the motor deal with it on the first run.(it should evaporate out when the motor warms up even though boat motors often don't run very warm.)
everyone seems to have their own theory on this so let me tell you mine.
I absolutely changed mine before doing anything else with winterizing. that way you have gotten rid of all of the combustable byproducts and are now coating your internals (crank,rods,bearings, etc) with a good,clean,non-contaminated oil.As you finish winterizing and fog it down for the final time you continue to coat things for the winter lay-up which will help to dispel moisture. Draining the lower unit before winter is a must do because of the chance of any water down there that could freeze.
I believe that changing in spring is a waste of oil. never heard of that.
I also never heard of changing oil after every 3rd time out unless it was some kind of a race application.
you can very easily pull an oil sample and send it off for analysis to see what the condition of your oil is. It's the only way to know and it also can tell you some things about you engine.
I absolutely changed mine before doing anything else with winterizing. that way you have gotten rid of all of the combustable byproducts and are now coating your internals (crank,rods,bearings, etc) with a good,clean,non-contaminated oil.As you finish winterizing and fog it down for the final time you continue to coat things for the winter lay-up which will help to dispel moisture. Draining the lower unit before winter is a must do because of the chance of any water down there that could freeze.
I believe that changing in spring is a waste of oil. never heard of that.
I also never heard of changing oil after every 3rd time out unless it was some kind of a race application.
you can very easily pull an oil sample and send it off for analysis to see what the condition of your oil is. It's the only way to know and it also can tell you some things about you engine.
CheckmateFever
Well-known member
+1 for doin everything in the fall before winter storage. I don't winterize my boat myself anymore, i send it over to the shop and have it profesionally done by a guy i trust and have known for years. But like everyone else is saying, the oil and drive fluid are definetly changed during winterizing, evey marina i've talked too recomends this. I don't change my oil during the summer, i just don't think it's necessary and a waste, maybe if you use cheap oil but i have them put good Mercury Racing oil in. I don't have an hour meter on my boat so i have no idea how many hours i put on it during the season but i can say it get's used alot, i have it out multiple times most every weekend, weather permitting. Change the oil in teh fall and your ready to go for the spring!!
Will30
Well-known member
I winterize my dads 350ci in his four winns myself . All the fluids in his are synthetic . The gear case gets changed before storage but the engine oil in the spring . Oil has emulsifiers (not sure on spelling). So the minimal amount of water that will get in to the oil if any will not cause a problem . I myself dont think oil has a shelf life. But thats my opinion. We all have our own ways of doing things.