Changing oil for the first time

Since this is my first boat ever and an oil change is due, was curious how people were going about draining their oil? It seems a small pan that I could strategically get under the engine would work but would likely be a mess getting it back out once full.

Re: Changing oil for the first time

The oil is usually pumped out through the dipstick hole. usually you have to be a monkey to get it from under the engine, if you can get it that way you usually just make a mess

Re: Changing oil for the first time

Yeah a pan in the bilge is the messy way. Ive had good luck with a oil change kit that consists of a 3 ft or so hose that connects to the oil pan drain in place of the drain plug. It has a cap on the end of the hose Once its installed , ya just leave on. To change oil you run the hose out of the transom drain plug hole into a container, drain pan, bucket or whatever. I use a 1 gall jug with a side cut out to catch oil/and filter when I remove that. Others have good luck with an extraction pump oil change system that sucks dirty oil up thru the dipstick tube. Always run your engine 1st to suspend the contaminants and make the oil flow better... Theres a few ideas 4 u!

Re: Changing oil for the first time

Don't buy a cheap pump for draining through the dip stick. The one I bought from west marine failed after 2 uses (2 seasons). The funny thing is because of the incredible mark up west marine has on certain items I paid as much for the cheap pump as a good pump should cost if you shop around.

Or if you don't mind replacing the pump every year or 2 get the cheap pump from Harbor Freight.

Re: Changing oil for the first time

i drained it from the bottom of the engine. used a pan and it was a huge mess..probably ended up getting 1 liter of oil in the bilge from this.
one point i will tell you is don
t tighten the new oil filter with a tool...it will put a dent or worse, a hole in the filter.

Re: Changing oil for the first time

I use a hand pump from the boat store, It works but you spend half a day hand pumping and it SUCKS! like i said they work but would rather have an electric 12 volt pump. Others have used elect fuel pumps too. If you go with the drian plug system you need to install after oil is drained and before new oil in. When you put the new oil filter back on DO NOT USE A WRENCH becouse when you go back to taking it off it will be very hard to get off. i always use a little oil on the gasket before installing the new oil filter.

Just a Thought !

Re: Changing oil for the first time

trailshredder said:

Since this is my first boat ever and an oil change is due, was curious how people were going about draining their oil? It seems a small pan that I could strategically get under the engine would work but would likely be a mess getting it back out once full.

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Drain it into a ziplock bag. That way you can manipulate the bag to get it out of the bilge. I double them up incase I snag something on the way out. Should do the trick. Goodluck!

Re: Changing oil for the first time

i used the plastic butter can and then had a bigger bucket beside to dump it in then stick it back and collect more oil and keep doing that.

Re: Changing oil for the first time

Ziplock bag. Ingenious !!!! Who da thunk it!!!!!

Re: Changing oil for the first time

90stingray said:

Drain it into a ziplock bag. That way you can manipulate the bag to get it out of the bilge. I double them up incase I snag something on the way out. Should do the trick. Goodluck!

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imraan47 said:

i used the plastic butter can and then had a bigger bucket beside to dump it in then stick it back and collect more oil and keep doing that.

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Dealing with over a gallon of hot oil with either of these methods sounds like a recipe for disaster to me... JUST MY HUMBLE OPINION !!! But I am sure it COULD work. Necessity is the mother of invention dont ya know! LOL !!! Goodluckbuddy!

Re: Changing oil for the first time

Didn't think of this till now, I have a drain plug/valve on my truck that make oil changes a 2 minute, clean job. It is called a fumoto valve. Anyone know the thread size and pitch on a merc 140 block? This valve has a locking lever that you just move and slide open to drain the oil and has a barb on the end where a hose could be attached. http://www.merchant-automotive.com/fumotovalve.aspx