Do I really need to change my oil and fuel filter

[massimofinance]

Bought a 2001 SeaRay Sundeck 210 in July 2009- Mercruiser I/O 220 HP. Used it the summer of 2009 and summer of 2010. Have not changed the oil, lower unit oil, or the fuel filter yet. When I say used, it was really light usage- probably have put less than 20 hours on it since purchase. At purchase, it was totally tuned up.

Question is do I need to do this for this summer? I dry-sail the boat, so it does not sit in a slip, but is used in salt water (after each usage, I flush the engine religiously and wash the salt of).

If I do need to do these things, any links to a "how to do" list would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks...

 

[Brewman61]

Re: Do I really need to change my oil and fuel filter

Of course you don't "have" to. It's your boat.
Personally even with your relatively light use, I'd change the engine oil and filter and fuel filter every year.
Water Seperating Fuel Filter, oil filter, engine oil, lower unit lube, total parts should be well under $100 even at a Merc. dealer.
Assuming you have a similar setup to me- 4.3L MPI W/alpha1 gen 2?
I'm sure your service manual would recommend changing as well- there are usually time limit as well has hours limits on recommended service. But only you can decide if you want to run like this or not.

 

[Don S]

Re: Do I really need to change my oil and fuel filter

The manuals state every 100 hours or yearly which ever comes first.
Might want to look up in the Adults only sticky, lots of Mercruiser information on maintenance & repairs.

 

[massimofinance]

Re: Do I really need to change my oil and fuel filter

thanks to you both for the replies, yes, the 4.3L is what I've got.

 

[crazy charlie]

Re: Do I really need to change my oil and fuel filter

Quite frankly,I believe you would be out of your mind to not change the fluids.One of the reasons that fluids are changed is in case of contamination or water intrusion.If either are the case,the longer they are left unattended to ,the worse off your engine and drive will be.GUARANTEED !! Charlie

 

[Pete104]

Re: Do I really need to change my oil and fuel filter

You can't ignore maintaince forever!

Have a nice summer

 

[Art Bernard]

Re: Do I really need to change my oil and fuel filter

Change the fluids at least once a year, preferably do it as part of your pre-season maintenance. For one you have the confidence of knowing it's good to go and second it can tell if you have other problems that need fixing (water in the oil is bad).

Art

 

[HT32BSX115]

Re: Do I really need to change my oil and fuel filter

preferably do it as part of your pre-season maintenance.

You, of course mean at the END of the season right before winterization (like Mercruiser, Volvo, and OMC suggest)? I might call that "POST-season maintenance"

From Mercruiser Maintenance FAQs,

Is it better to change my engine oil/gear lube at the beginning or end of the season?

It is better to change the oil and gear lube at the end of the season, prior to storage. Lubricants naturally accumulate moisture, combustion by-products, and other contaminants during use. It can be detrimental to store an engine or drive with large amounts of these contaminants present.

yada yada......