End of Season Maintenance

[Boilers2000]

I was only able to get my boat in the water 3 times this season, booooooo, 4.3lx engine and alpha one Gen2 drive. With that little water time, could I get away with out change engine and drive oil before winterizing the engine?

 

[Scott Danforth]

I wouldn't

Engine oils develope acids from the combustion process

You could have a gear box seal leak

Your bellows could be leaking

There is a reason that the maintenance cycles are 100 hours or annually

 

[Lou C]

Agreed; regular maintenance saves money and avoids repairs in the long run.

 

[Boilers2000]

Thanks for the input! Always appreciated

 

[poconojoe]

If your drive lube had any water intrusion you could be looking at freeze damage come Springtime.
It's not worth the chance. It's not that expensive or much work to change the drive lube.

 

[ROY WILLIAMS]

I inspected in october boat .. take out the out drive see if its water and the bellows . lube it .. then out drive is inspected the oil is clean , then flush out the water in the engine ...use a air compressor .. .then use anti freeze in the engine ...then I did marvel mystery oil 1 OZ in the cylinders ...then cover the carb plastic sheet ,, seal it up ..
remove the drain plug on the boat ..
I replaced the engine oil in the spring ...
put moth balls in the boat ....

 

[dingbat]

I wouldn’t skip changing the engine oil but there is no reason you can’t skip changing LU if no water is present.

 

[dubs283]

..put moth balls in the boat ....

No

 

[ROY WILLIAMS]

No

rodents and insects keep it out of my boat ,,, my woodland area ..................

 

[dingbat]

No reason to change the LU unit oil with such little use if no water is present.
After the motor has sat a day or two, crack the drain screw to get a sample. If you don’t get any water or milky oil your good to go until next season

 

[dubs283]

rodents and insects keep it out of my boat ,,, my woodland area ..................

You don't store your boat properly

And your syntax/vernacular is odd...........

 

[racerone]

Agreed with 20 hrs a season gear oil can be used for many seasons.-----After all many rear axles in pick-up trucks rarely get oil changed for years and years..----If there is no water in the gear oil it is good for another season.

 

[dubs283]

many rear axles in pick-up trucks rarely get oil changed for years and years..

Yeah, we're talking boats here. Mainly sterndrives which take more straight consistent torque and power than most ordinary trucks.

 

[racerone]

I am well aware of how much it takes to drive a boat at 40 MPH !!!----Point is folks drain out very good gear oil on the outdrive and rarely even check rear axle on the pick-up truck !

 

[dubs283]

Awesome! You inspect/change the differential fluid on your truck. Keep it in the truck forum

If you really want to talk rear axels let's talk checking brake shoes on a Dana axel

 

[poconojoe]

I don't use my boat (4.3L Mercruiser) very hard, in fact I'm pretty gentle with it. I'm guessing I don't use it as much as most either.
When I change the drive lube every Fall, it is pretty black compared to the new lube.
So, I think I'll continue changing it each time I winterize.

 

[Scott Danforth]

Awesome! You inspect/change the differential fluid on your truck. Keep it in the truck forum

If you really want to talk rear axels let's talk checking brake shoes on a Dana axel

Looking for Huck brake parts....LOL

 

[ROY WILLIAMS]

I don't use my boat (4.3L Mercruiser) very hard, in fact I'm pretty gentle with it. I'm guessing I don't use it as much as most either.
When I change the drive lube every Fall, it is pretty black compared to the new lube.
So, I think I'll continue changing it each time I winterize.

look up the gear oil and change it if is an off color .... also the water is in it and it is a milky color..inspect the air pressure 7-10 PSI..see if its a leak ....
you inspect it in the fall great !

 

[dubs283]

Looking for Huck brake parts....LOL

Just glad I have front disc, og 83 ford yo!

 

[Searay205]

If boat stored in water then change it as often as possible. If stored in encloses storage and you never see a drip of gear lube on floor and you never see a drop in gear lube level than you probably get away with skipping on gear lube. On other side for $25? who cares drain and change and not worry about if over winter. Same with oil, super cheap. Maintenance is fraction of pennies on the dollars vs 1 repair.