oil change?

[handball]

what is the best equipment to use to change the oil on a 260 hp mercruiser engine? is the vacuum system on the 1 gal can good? or should I buy the unit that has the 12 volt impeller pump on the top of a 5 gal bucket? I have always dreaded this job and usually end up with oil all over the place.Right now I am using a small plastic 12v pump that draws the oil out of the dip stick.Does it matter if you remove the filter first then suck the oil from the pan or the other way around?<br />I usually take the boat out for a good run first but even then after the oil change the new oil sometimes looks contaminated.Is it a good Idea to add a few ounces of marvel mystery oil just before changing the oil to help get all of the old oil out? any sugestions to make this job easier would be greatly appreciated. Also does it make a difference if you use an auto filter? I have been using shell rotella oil its suppose to be good for marine engines.

 

[flashback]

Re: oil change?

do you keep your boat on a trailer or in the water? if you keep it on a trailer, then usually you can install a manually operated valve in place of the oil pan drain plug and just connect a section of hose to the valve and run it out the drain plug and into a suitable container. works good for me. however if you are in the water all the time, you cannot use this method.....good luck

 

[Bondo]

Re: oil change?

I'm set up sorta like flashback, only, No valve.... Just an Aeroquip hose out of the pan... threaded cap on the end of it... slip it out the hull drain, uncap it into a pail, come back tomorrow to finish... It's Painfully Slow draining... But, You could attach a pump to the end of the hose,+ pump it DRY in a few minutes....the pump, with the 1 gal. can could be a problem... the base holds 5qts.... that's why your oil looks used, the factory approved method leaves a bunch of oil, + All the heavy sediments in the bottom of the base....<br /><br />I change the filter while it's draining.. it really doesn't Matter.... Another Tip....after you break it free.... Slip a Big freezer baggie around the filter.... MOST of the drippings go Into the baggie..!!<br />I use NAPA Gold filters on my barge... Auto oil filters are the way to go$$$<br />The shell is Good oil... If your Happy, Go with it...<br />In My motor, the Last 1/2qt. into the base, After the change is Marvel's Mystery oil..!!!

 

[boater4life]

Re: oil change?

Just an added tip. After I change my oil filters I place a small magnet under the filter to trap and hold metal particles. <br />

 

[handball]

Re: oil change?

thanks for the info guys I like the drain plug and hose method but in my case the boat is in the water.If you had to deal with the boat in the water what do you think is the cleanest and best way to drain is? have you had any experiance with the vacuum pump or the 12 volt pump mounted on the pail? also what about adding some mystery oil before pumping out to maybe bring more of the sedament in the pan out with the oil? I can remember years ago when a friend of mine recommended adding a quart of transmission oil to the engine oil before draining an engine that got water in the oil.Its sometimes very frustrating to go through all the dirty mess to change oil and filter and then look at the dip stick and not see clean oil.the zip lock bag trick is a good one that I also use and recommend.

 

[RC Hammer]

Re: oil change?

I've got the same motor and use a 12v pump to drain the oil though the dipstick. I warnm the engine then pump it out. I actually just bought the pump this fall from Wal-Mart. It did a great job and the oil was actually clean after I changed it and ran for a few minutes. I always warm the engine for ~10 min so the oil is warm and will pump easier.

 

[Bondo]

Re: oil change?

handball,<br /> once the hose/ cap is installed, you COULD use it In the boat....

 

[almost retired again]

Re: oil change?

Hi Handball;<br />I have used both, the pump and the vacuum. Hands down I like the vacuum better. It seems to be quicker, and not as messy.

 

[handball]

Re: oil change?

almost retired,<br />what pump did you buy? does it take many pumps to draw the oil out? How long does it take approximatly to empty the oil pan?<br />Sounds like this is the way to go.