How to Change Oil in 8.1

[Hampton]

Start engines and run at 1000 RPM for 15 minutes.
Shut down and open hatch with preparations in place (tools...).
Place Jabsco on top of Stbd Engine - Connect to Stbd Battery Bank.
DO NOT PUNCH HOLES - Unscrew filters until just beginning to separate from base.
Remove oil filler caps and dip sticks.
Connect Jabsco to Stbd engine. Turn on until air sucking sound heard.
Remove tube while pump still running to avoid dripping oil.
Turn off. Place tube in 1 gallon jug. Reverse flow. Fill 1 gallon. Change jugs. Fill 2nd jug.
Connect Jabsco to Port engine. Suck oil out.
Remove Stbd filter - clean excess with paper towel. Repeat to port.
Re-fit Jabsco to each engine and suck out excess.
Screw on new filters. Add oil. Keep checking levels. Replace dipsticks and filler caps.
Start engines and fresh water rinse. Clean up.
Please ignore spilling oil while taking photos and dirty bilge.

 

[Kreole Kid]

John, How do you like the Optima batteries? How long have you had them and what kind of life expectancy can one hope for?

 

[carterchapman]

+1 John.

What John left out is many dealers charge 3 hours per engine (at $90 per hour) for this task. For those of us that don't like to do math in public, by spending ~$150 for a Jabsco oil changer, John saved $390 this year, and it took 30 minutes of prep, 30 minutes to do it, and 30 minutes to clean up and dump the oil at AutoZone on the way home...

Next year the oil changer is "free".

Thanks John.

 

[douglee25]

I still for the life of me can't figure out why Merc put the oil filters upside down on those engines? It makes for such a messy removal.

Doug

 

[Alex F]

This year my electrical pump died and I had to borrow this Jabsco setup. Man, was I impressed with the performance. It took just few minutes and the engines were empty. The reverse cycle if very convenient to empty the bucket.

John,
Why did you suggest not to punch the holes in the oil filter? Based on my experience, you still get some oil left in there resulting in oild spill. Are your reasons similar?

 

[Hampton]

I still for the life of me can't figure out why Merc put the oil filters upside down on those engines? It makes for such a messy removal.

Doug

Not one drop this year. All of the guys who posted to spin it off until the seal is just broken right after engine shut down and then remove them after several minutes are heroes. I didn't lose one drop on the filters. Don't poke a hole. Just spin and let it sit for a while.

Apparently, Merc technicians know this because the engineers designed it this way.

 

[Hampton]

+1 John.

What John left out is many dealers charge 3 hours per engine (at $90 per hour) for this task. For those of us that don't like to do math in public, by spending ~$150 for a Jabsco oil changer, John saved $390 this year, and it took 30 minutes of prep, 30 minutes to do it, and 30 minutes to clean up and dump the oil at AutoZone on the way home...

Next year the oil changer is "free".

Thanks John.

Thank you, but one small correction. The Jabsco was free last year.

 

[carterchapman]

The Mercruiser OEM filters (~$10) have the "Anti Drain-Back Valves". On another thread it was discussed that automotive filters generally do not - so if youa re using automotive filters, you will need to "punch the hole" and let them drain. OEMs with ADVs do not need the hole punched.

John - my Jabsco will be "free" next year!

Did you change your inline fuel filters yet? There is a simple trick to those as well - but I didn't take pics.

 

[Hampton]

John - my Jabsco will be "free" next year!

Did you change your inline fuel filters yet? There is a simple trick to those as well - but I didn't take pics.

Yeah!

I did change the inline fuel filters. I think I know the trick. Place a huge towel underneath to soak up all of the spilled gas in advance. The fittings are free-spinning, and are a serious beotch to deal with in a confined space. You will need the type of teflon tape which is designed for use with gas or you will never get the leaks to stop.

Is that the trick?

 

[mawyatt]

Are you talking about the fuel filters on the 8.1L engines? I have no in-line fuel filters except for the generator, this one is mounted near the stbd fuel tank. The Kohler gen set manual says it has a fuel filter on the gen set.........don't know if this is true because I haven't changed the fuel filter yet. How are others set up?

 

[BonBini]

You will need the type of teflon tape which is designed for use with gas or you will never get the leaks to stop.

Interesting. I've never noticed a differance before. Not working with gas engines much I've never looked for a difference either. All I've ever seen is the white stuff. But with the way seals and gasket materials are specialised today I wouldnt be surprised.

Please excuse my spelling. Somebody has to be the worst speller on this board. ...Ron

 

[carterchapman]

Are you talking about the fuel filters on the 8.1L engines? I have no in-line fuel filters except for the generator, this one is mounted near the stbd fuel tank. The Kohler gen set manual says it has a fuel filter on the gen set.........don't know if this is true because I haven't changed the fuel filter yet. How are others set up?

Mike,

Your '08 has the latest "cool fuel" setup - there are no inline filters to the 8.1s with yours. Mercruiser changed sometime in late '05 or early '06 to your type cool fuel system. John and I ahvethe older cool fuel units which have the inline and water separator filters separate from the cool fuel unit...

 

[Scottster]

The Mercruiser OEM filters (~$10) have the "Anti Drain-Back Valves". On another thread it was discussed that automotive filters generally do not - so if youa re using automotive filters, you will need to "punch the hole" and let them drain. OEMs with ADVs do not need the hole punched.

John - my Jabsco will be "free" next year!

Did you change your inline fuel filters yet? There is a simple trick to those as well - but I didn't take pics.

Could you let me in on the trick? I have to replace mine on my next trip to the lake.

 

[carterchapman]

Could you let me in on the trick? I have to replace mine on my next trip to the lake.

Scott,

Hampton may have some pictures of changing them, so let's wait for him to chime in. If he doesn't, I'll start a separate thread on changing 8.1 inline fuel filters.

John?

 

[boughtabouy]

Not one drop this year. All of the guys who posted to spin it off until the seal is just broken right after engine shut down and then remove them after several minutes are heroes. I didn't lose one drop on the filters. Don't poke a hole. Just spin and let it sit for a while.

Apparently, Merc technicians know this because the engineers designed it this way.

Same here. Just did mine last weekend, and didn't loose a drop either.

K-

 

[carterchapman]

Could you let me in on the trick? I have to replace mine on my next trip to the lake.

Scottster - I started a new thread on 8.1s fuel filter changes - let me know if it helped you.

 

[Hampton]

John, How do you like the Optima batteries? How long have you had them and what kind of life expectancy can one hope for?

I never answered this, sorry. I love 'em. From what I understand, you can plan to get 5 - 6 years out of them if you don't abuse them. Mine are deep discharge batteries which are more durable against running them down on the hook even though they don't provide as much cranking power as the standard ones. I don't have any cranking issues. Just cranked this AM (spent night at an away marina to visit with friends). It was near freezing last night.

 

[Hampton]

Scottster - I started a new thread on 8.1s fuel filter changes - let me know if it helped you.

Good. Don't know of any good tricks. Had to re-do with the teflon tape.

 

[Hampton]

Mike,

Your '08 has the latest "cool fuel" setup - there are no inline filters to the 8.1s with yours. Mercruiser changed sometime in late '05 or early '06 to your type cool fuel system. John and I ahvethe older cool fuel units which have the inline and water separator filters separate from the cool fuel unit...

On the other hand, if you have "Cool Fuel III," you'll need to look out for corrosion and leaks. Frank W had a great thread about that on here a couple of years ago. I had no idea that newer Cool Fuel systems meant that you wouldn't have in-line fuel filters. If anyone isn't sure, follow your fuel lines along the sides of the engines. My inline filters are small, metal cannisters with a fuel line in one end and another out the other end. I'll check for a photo. They are on the stringers under the engines about mid-way. Mine are on the port sides.

 

[Hampton]

The inline filter is in the bottom, center of the first photo. I am touching the spin-on. These both go to the stbd engine. The picture is looking back to the aft of the ER.

I took the second one to show the room in the back of the ER in the 340.