Mid Season Maintenance

[rhodyboater]

Does it seem worthwhile to change all the fluids midseason on my twin 8.1's?
No reason, other than preventative maintenance. I've had the boat for two years and am thrilled to say I have not had one single issue and desperately want to keep it that way!
There's about 225 hours on the engines (it's a 2004 340da) and I did this midseason (July) last year because it was a new boat to me and I wasn't sure when the oil was changed, gear lube, etc.
I've put about 50 hours on it so far this year.
Oh, and I won't be doing it myself so there's prob a few hundred bucks of cost involved.

 

[chandalen]

I believe the norm is changing fluids / filters at end of season unless there is a reason otherwise. As long as the oil looks good and clean, why change it? Gear lube is a monster and prob requires the boat pulled.

Changing oil and filter yourself is easy, but you do most likely need the oil sucker tool which can cost $60 for a good one.

 

[rcknecht]

I did mine mid-season last year, and will probably do it again this year... I just do it when I have the time... BTW I order FRAM PH30 oil filter for [FONT=verdana,arial,helvetica][SIZE=-1]$3.77 ea. They work for my remote oil filter of both of my boats.
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[northern]

I change engine oil at 100+ hours.This to me depends on how far we go. This year our May June run put on 120 hours so the oil and oil filters were changed. The transmission oil only gets changed once a year regardless of the hours we put on the boat. It always looks good. I suppose I could leave it for a few years but at $40 for fluid it is not worth the chance. If you have mid propeller shaft bearings I grease them at every oil change and also change zincs at every oil change. The oil in the generator gets changed once a year in the fall.
I used to get some one to change the oil until I found out it cost me $300. It takes me two to 3 beers to do it myself and a change of clothes. It is not that hard.

 

[skolbe]

I always change the oil at the end of the season and the transmission fluid in early fall.

 

[JimFromMD]

I've had the boat for two years and am thrilled to say I have not had one single issue and desperately want to keep it that way!

Dont go antagonizing Murphy now!! You've heard about his law right?

 

[marks737]

When you change transmission fluid, do you suck it out as with the oil?

 

[northern]

I suck it out. They are suposed to hold 4 liters and I am able to get that much out. Need to wiggle the suck hose around to get to very bottom. I use the smallest hose about 1/4" dia.

 

[my3sons]

Does it seem worthwhile to change all the fluids midseason on my twin 8.1's?
No reason, other than preventative maintenance. I've had the boat for two years and am thrilled to say I have not had one single issue and desperately want to keep it that way!
There's about 225 hours on the engines (it's a 2004 340da) and I did this midseason (July) last year because it was a new boat to me and I wasn't sure when the oil was changed, gear lube, etc.
I've put about 50 hours on it so far this year.
Oh, and I won't be doing it myself so there's prob a few hundred bucks of cost involved.

IMO, there is no reason to do it mid season at 50 hrs, unless there is a problem, or you'll just feel better because you did it, which is ok too.
Instead, you might want to consider pulling engine oil samples at this time. It's easy to do, and you can get set up to do it for about 30 bucks. You just pull the samples after you get back from a boat ride, and a few dollars worth of postage and a few days later, they email you the results. Then, if there is a questionable reading, you have time to dump the oil, and get some hours on it again to pull another sample yet this season. If your engines are performing correctly, 100 hrs+/- or at the end of the season, which ever comes first, is a more than adequate change interval, and the samples will tell you if all is performing correctly.

 

[ziekman@cox.net]

The 8.1's are a beautiful thing!

 

[Marcus E]

How involved is it to change the transmission oil?

 

[skolbe]

Transmission Fluid is easy. Just pull the filter and clean it in mineral spirits. Then drain or suck out the transmission fluid. I suck mine out, specifically through where the filter is.

 

[Marcus E]

Thank!