Question about changing oil?

[yzfmik]

I have a 2012 Yamaha F115 outboard (on a 2012 Hurricane SS188) and the manual shows the use of a "oil changer" pump to pump out and change the oil. I downloaded the F115 manual from Yamaha.com (appears to be an older manual) and it shows using the drain plug to drain the oil. My motor has the same drain plug shown in the older manual, so my question is why have they changed the procedure to using an "oil changer" pump vs. the drain plug?

 

[99yam40]

Re: Question about changing oil?

Too many people have stripped or cross threaded the threads on the drain plug hole and sucking it out is less messy also from what I have read

 

[Capt Ken]

Re: Question about changing oil?

You can use either way. Pump makes less of a mess but doesn't get all the oil out. The easiest way is to raise the engine up fully. Remove drain plug with 14mm socket. Insert a 3/4 hose into the rubber neck and lower the engine. The oil will drain out the hose into your bucket. When finished draining, raise engine, remove hose an reinstall drain plug.

 

[Pas Bon]

Re: Question about changing oil?

I changed mine yesterday, just get a bucket big enough to hold 5+ quarts and hold it directly under the rubber neck/drain and you shouldn't make a mess. The filter on the other hand is hard to get out without spilling so I stuff a rag under the filter prior to removing it. Also I use a Bosch D3323 oil filter and Yamalube 10w-30.

If the boat is in the water then a pump would be the way to go.

 

[Capt Ken]

Re: Question about changing oil?

If you use the hose trick, it makes no mess and you don't have to try and hold a bucket. When the motor is tilted up, you can remove the plug without oil coming out.

 

[robert graham]

Re: Question about changing oil?

Rodbolt recommends the pump method to avoid issues with the drain plug threads....makes a lot of good sense to me!

 

[Capt Ken]

Re: Question about changing oil?

If someone isn't capable of removing and reinstalling a drain plug, then they probably need to leave everything to a mechanic.

 

[robert graham]

Re: Question about changing oil?

If someone isn't capable of removing and reinstalling a drain plug, then they probably need to leave everything to a mechanic.

Probably quite true, but I understand the location of the oil drain plug makes them prone to cross-threading, so if the mechanic is going to use a pump, then why shouldn't we?...A boogered up drain plug/hole would be a real nightmare for me!

 

[Bamaman1]

Re: Question about changing oil?

I used a 15 qt drain pan--with the grandson's swimming pool underneath it. No problem/no leaks. The drain plug was no problem to get back in.

You're going to have to use a drain pan anyway to change the lower unit grease. Lower unit fluid changes are so easy that I cannot believe anyone pays a dealership do that job. Unfortunately, dealerships just about always charge 2x what the job's worth.

 

[yzfmik]

Re: Question about changing oil?

Thank you very much for all the answers, you've been extremely helpful. I will go with using the drain plug and be very careful when screwing it back on. Going to change oil, lower unit oil, lube it and install a 2nd battery w/ switch in the next few weeks. Thanks again guys!

 

[Capt Ken]

Re: Question about changing oil?

How owners screw up their plugs is by forcing the plug. If you use a short extension with a 14mm socket, and start it by hand before attaching the ratchet, it will go in fine. If you attempt to ratchet it in, it will cross thread. Look at the angle of the extension when removing the plug and go back with the same angle.