My first oil change

[fragmag]

Well I changed the oil on my 2007 4.3L, and man what a pain in the butt it was!
Changing the oil itself is the easiest thing in the world. Getting to the oil filter was insane. I had to remove one of the protective pieces of fiberglass that shields the engine then sqeeze myself into the small cubby area by the battery then attempt to loosen the filter that was apperently put on by He-Man.
I, of course, manged to spill plenty of oil into the bilge and some in my driveway, even though I had an oil pan there. It's done now, but man I will probably just pay to have it done next time. :smt013

 

[First Born]

http://mfile.akamai.com/12689/wmv/b..._dld/mercruiser/mercruiser_oilchange_0300.wmv

You may want to take a look at this....Others have suggested it in the past.

Wesley

 

[fragmag]

Yeah, I saw that when I searched posts about changing the oil, but it didn't really apply to me since:
a. the engine they use has the oil filter conveniently located at the top of the engine
b. and the engines they demonstrate on are on a stand and not in the boat like mine :grin:

anywhoo...it's done now, but thx for the response :thumbsup:

 

[Alex D]

Yeah, I saw that when I searched posts about changing the oil, but it didn't really apply to me since:
a. the engine they use has the oil filter conveniently located at the top of the engine
b. and the engines they demonstrate on are on a stand and not in the boat like mine :grin:

anywhoo...it's done now, but thx for the response :thumbsup:

Amsoil sells several very nice oil filter relocation kits/remote oil filter kits that I have seen people put on.

 

[Rucka356]

I am about to change my oil on the same engine/boat. Where exactly was the oil filter located? Was it on the port side of the engine near the back? I have been looking for mine, but have yet to find it. I am not looking forward to removing the shield (with battery switch).

 

[fragmag]

Yes, its on the port side near the back of the engine, on the bottom side. The filter is very small also. The one it came with was labled for "outboard motors. I originally bought the one for inboard/sterndrive, but it was to large (read wide). I had to take it back and get the outboard one instead. No idea why. I am taking my boat to the MM dealer tomorrow to have them fix the stereo (minor problem) and I will be asking lots of questions about the oil changing procedures etc.

 

[CarreraDan]

I am going to try sucking it out next time, it takes forever using the hose out the plug. I agree that the filter requires some interesting bending to get to--I seem to have better luck using one of the filter sockets vs a filter wrench. I was at the dealer getting new pins for the bimini top the other day and noticed they are up to over $200 dollars for an oil change--I think I will start doing them for $185 if anyone is interested :grin: The service manager wondered why I didn't use them for service and I told him I enjoy doing my own maintenance. He said some of the procedures are very complicated and they could work me right in, I bet they could at $100 dollars and hour for labor--really how long do they actually spend doing an oil change? 15 minutes of actual work maybe 20 if they take their time and clean everything up (which they didn't on my free first service).