Change oil or not?

[Beeg31]

Just curious on anyone's opinion. We have 18' bowrider, Volvo Penta 4.3 V6, I/O. Didn't get around to using the boat very much this summer, partially due to a new addition to our family. I would guess a total of 2-3 hours on the engine. Been out about 4 times total. A lot of the time just drifting or cruising at low speeds with the little one. We live in Colorado and I'll be winterizing the boat in the next month+.

Even though I'm inclined to go through the same winterizing process, just curious if some people would leave some things out. In general I'll change the oil in the engine and also change the gear oil in the out drive, new fuel and oil filters, pull plugs, etc. I think changing the gear oil in the stern drive is important to flush any chance of water buildup inside, but anyone think it's unnecessary to change the oil and/or just continue to use the same filters?

 

[Philster]

Re: Change oil or not?

Well... here we go... but I say change 'em. They'll need changing in the Spring, as they'll be a year old, so I'd like to have fresh stuff in there all winter long.

Doesn't save you any money to do it later.

 

[Gary H NC]

Re: Change oil or not?

Well... here we go... but I say change 'em. They'll need changing in the Spring, as they'll be a year old, so I'd like to have fresh stuff in there all winter long.

Doesn't save you any money to do it later.

Agree...clean oil has less contaminates and is better for Winter storage.

 

[YAMA-TIM]

Re: Change oil or not?

change it. Like Grandad always said new oil is cheaper than new parts.

 

[rwidman]

Re: Change oil or not?

Change the oil before winter layup.

 

[Kaplooi]

Re: Change oil or not?

Can someone explain the reasoning for this? I'm not sure I understand the wisdom of changing engine oil for storage only to dump it all out in the spring for more fresh oil when you intend to put it back into service. If it's just going to sit in the pan for months it's not going to hurt anything unless old oil somehow damages the oil pan. It's just going sit there slowly breaking down and collect some little moisture from the block. Assuming you do all the proper fogging and other winterizing necessary to protect the internals it's not the engine oil sitting at the bottom of the pan that's protecting anything but the bottom of the pan. The first winter I had a motorcycle to put away I filled the entire crank case with oil because I was worried about corrosion from condensation, but found it to be a truly ridiculous waste in the spring. Point being that oil needs to be changed after a certain amount of time passes (~3-4 months?) regardless of use, so if a long stretch of time is going to pass where you know you're not going to use it why not save yourself some time and money?

 

[windsors03cobra]

Re: Change oil or not?

Here ya are, if you've got good clean oil in there now leave it in there and run it next year. easy to tell if its clean is it golden or is it black and dirty ?
Engine use not time breaks oil down and lets face the facts you have a indestructible Chevy engine designed 50 years ago and a crankcase full of dead dinosaurs.

I mean if you have a alot of short trips where the engine never fully warms up which in turn cooks away the moisture in the oil maybe you need to change it.
If the oil is dirty maybe you need to change it.
If the oil is cheap crap maybe you need to change it.
Is your oil pan going to rot out over the winter due to old oil in it ? If it does you were due for an oil pan anyway.
I think its unnecessary to change the fuel filter as well, 3 or 4 hours ? C'mon.
I would change the drive oil however, heck maybe just have a little sample of it and if it looks good. forget about it.

Having a 4 years old daughter I always thought it would be tough to boat with a newborn. I really wouldnt want to myself.
I wonder if that is why engines last so much longer nowemdays, such a better grade of oil available.
Good luck to ya.

 

[Chris1956]

Re: Change oil or not?

Engine oil is contaminated with acidic compounds, as the motor runs. I would recommend you change the oil at winterization time, and next spring you will be ready to run it. Ditto the gear oil. There is a small chance water got into the gear oil, during your four hours usage. If you were to leave that water in the gearcase over the winter, it can freeze and crack the gearcase or ruin the bearings.

Do the whole winterization thing. You can skip cleaning the spark arrester and changing the water seperator, if you like.

 

[rwidman]

Re: Change oil or not?

Can someone explain the reasoning for this? I'm not sure I understand the wisdom of changing engine oil for storage only to dump it all out in the spring for more fresh oil when you intend to put it back into service. If it's just going to sit in the pan for months it's not going to hurt anything unless old oil somehow damages the oil pan. It's just going sit there slowly breaking down and collect some little moisture from the block.

As the engine is used, moisture and acids contaminate the oil. You don't want these contaminants working on your bearings and other parts all winter long.

I didn't say to change it again in the spring. Once a year or every 100 hours (whichever comes first) is what the engine manufacturers usually recommend.

For that matter, why not just look up the engine maintenance schedule in the boat's owner's manual and do what's recommended by the manufacturer?

 

[Philster]

Re: Change oil or not?

No one is saying to change it now AND again in Spring. The OP is questioning whether it is okay to DEFER an oil change until Spring.

It makes absolutely ZERO financial sense to defer maintenance. The cost is fixed.

It will cost him one oil change to start the 2011 boating season. He can spend the money now and have fresh oil and lube sitting against all the gaskets/seals/metals, or he can spend it in the spring.

For 2011's boating season to begin, he needs to invest in one oil change and one gear lube change.

Now, it's clearly better to do it now/soon as part of the winterization.

 

[Brewman61]

Re: Change oil or not?

just curious if some people would leave some things out.

Sure some people would skip it. Not sure why- as was already mentioned, you can change it now, and have fresh oil in your crankcase all winter, or you can change it in the spring and have an additional chore. Plus an engine full of somewhat contaminated oil. No thanks for me.
What I wouldn't do is use the same oil next season.
To me that's pennywise pound foolish.
The problem is that it's impossible to know for sure what, if any damage you'd do. Will you have catastrophic engine failure? No. Could you contribute to early/excessive wear and tear? Sure possible, IMHO, but not mesaurable. You have to use a bit of reasoning. In the end, you're on the hook for repair costs.
I look at it as free insurance. Since you have to change the oil anyway.

In general I'll change the oil in the engine and also change the gear oil in the out drive, new fuel and oil filters, pull plugs, etc. I think changing the gear oil in the stern drive is important to flush any chance of water buildup inside,

Good reasoning there.

 

[JoLin]

Re: Change oil or not?

Agree...clean oil has less contaminates and is better for Winter storage.

+1. Long term (winter) storage = clean oil. Changing oil and filter is part of my winterizing routine. I do not change it again in the Spring. No reason to do so.

My .02

 

[Stachi]

Re: Change oil or not?

what is the point of adding oil after draining it , if you are not going to run the engine after adding it ?...The only thing below the oil level will be the suction screen....plenty of oil will drip down into the pan ... just a thought...

 

[JoLin]

Re: Change oil or not?

what is the point of adding oil after draining it , if you are not going to run the engine after adding it ?...The only thing below the oil level will be the suction screen....plenty of oil will drip down into the pan ... just a thought...

I don't just change it. I run the motor up to operating temp again, then shut it down 'for good'. I want to coat all the bearings with clean oil before it goes into hibernation.

 

[Stachi]

Re: Change oil or not?

I don't just change it. I run the motor up to operating temp again, then shut it down 'for good'. I want to coat all the bearings with clean oil before it goes into hibernation.

excellent...you pass the test... lol

 

[JimS123]

Re: Change oil or not?

About 10 years ago we had a pretty bad summer. Not just weather, but some family health issues as well. The boat only went out 3 times. At that time it had about 800 hours on the clock.

Come October I pulled the dipstick and the oil looked as clear as when I put it in the previous fall. I pulled the lower unit drain plug, drained a few ounces and found no water. The oil still had a bright green color.

That year I just topped off the lower unit with fresh oil, fogged the cylinders and drained the block replacing it with anti-freeze. I left the engine and oil filter alone.

Since then I have added another 400 hours with not a problem. Not saying that was the right thing to do, but if it shortened the engine life I haven't seen it yet.

One caveat though - the boat is garage kept year round in moderate temperatures with no detectable condensation. If I had intended to keep the boat outside in the snow I would have changed the oil regardless.

The funny "rest of the story" was that during that same time period my towcar was also used very little and its oil stayed in the block for 2 years as well. I had only put on about 150 miles when I had the oil changed and I was in the shop and watched it drain. When I saw the mechanic pouring the old oil into a container I inquired about that. He said he was going to change his oil and put that in his car....LOL.

 

[Beeg31]

Re: Change oil or not?

Thanks for the replies, seems like most share my same feelings. Some new oil and filters is cheap compared to other problems that could occur. And I do like having the boat ready to go in the spring fairly quickly.

 

[rbh]

Re: Change oil or not?

2-3 hours since your last oil change????

No moisture in the cap or on the stick???

Nice and golden not black??????

save your money till you hit 100 hours!

Change your leg oil as that is the most likely place you will have water in it due to condinsation or small leaks, and fog your motors.
MY $.02 anyways.

 

[Vanover]

Re: Change oil or not?

Not that i think its right or wrong, but i would change it just so next year if you have more time you are not stuck working on your boat. you can be out enjoying it with peace of mind that its all fresh and in great working order. Boats are too much fun to miss out on. If its going to be down for a while anyways... whats it going to hurt to do it.

 

[WIMUSKY]

Re: Change oil or not?

2-3 hours since your last oil change????

No moisture in the cap or on the stick???

Nice and golden not black??????

save your money till you hit 100 hours!

Change your leg oil as that is the most likely place you will have water in it due to condinsation or small leaks, and fog your motors.
MY $.02 anyways.

That's my thoughts too. I change mine in the spring. Why? Since I live where there is extreme temperature swings during the day in the fall and spring, can wake up to 20 deg and hit a hi in the 70's and back down to 20's at nite, I would think that in itself could/would create condensation. If I change the oil now, I would think by the time I splash it next spring, it could be full of condensation. By changing it next spring, I know I have fresh oil for the boating season. If my boat was in a more stable environment year round, then sure, why not change it now. I figure if I fog the motor until every mosquito has left the county, I should be in good shape... Been doing it this way for years...JMO