Oil Change or Not?

[nymonymgr]

Our 2008 330 DA received an oil change with her 20 hour service in July (boat was delivered new in April). We've put another 20 hours on since. Do we change the oil again before putting her to bed or not? She's powered by Twin 8.1 Horizon V drives, fresh water cooled. At last check the oil was clean as the day it came out of the bottle. Thoughts?

 

[Summerwind]

I say no your fine. So now we're going to hear all about contaminates now I can get the popcorn.

 

[Jack F]

I say no your fine. So now we're going to hear all about contaminates now I can get the popcorn.

Trouble maker :lol:

 

[JVM225]

I would do it now so that it is ready to go in the spring.

 

[SR Tech]

Base it on how many hours you think youll run next season. My customers all get their oils (engine/gear) every 25-30hours. Some religiously change it every year around this time regardless of hours just to know its fresh come spring start up

 

[blueeyeboatr]

just put a new filter on and add a quart

 

[Vince_nj1]

West Marine sells an oil stabilizer that you can add for the winter. It goes against popular opinion, but I decided not to change mine this year. I only put 20 hours on the engines (synthetic blend) and decided not to change the oil. I just added the oil stabizer.

 

[Groucho]

I would pull the dipstick and take a look at the color of the oil...If its golden or light brown....leave it. If it is black change it. Not rocket science, but you will hear lots of opinions I'm sure.

 

[PMvdb395DA]

Even if you have 1 hour on the engine, change the oil!!
Because the oil contains acids, even when used for one hour.

In the winter you will have condensation in your engine, that together with the acids will corrode in your engine.

So, always change your oil before winter sleep, no matter the hours.

Peter.

 

[skolbe]

It all depends - the engine will probably be fine. But, it wouldn't be the end of the world to change it. Depends on how picky you are. I would probably change it.

 

[Hampton]

I agree that if the boat will sit for a couple of months or more for the winter, change it.

 

[carterchapman]

I'm with Skolbe and Hampton...change it.

Can you do it yourself? If so, It's 1 hour of work, $175 for 5 gallons of Mercruiser Full Synthetic, $20 for two Mercruiser filters, and $150 (one time expense) for a Jabsco Oil Changer. And you'll have enough left over for the genny, jsut add the filter for that...

 

[Lazy Daze]

I'd do it, also. It's not like you're going to run all of next season on that oil, right? Might as well change it now.

 

[Spot]

I was in the same boat, I had fresh oil in the boat, with just 10 hours on it, gold honey color. Yesterday I want down and had them pull the boat from the rack for a warm fall cruise.

I decided to keep the used oil in the pan since we may do a few freezing sunny day cruises, you never know when yoiu just have to get on the boat!

If it is on the hard, change it

 

[mstaglia]

Oil is cheaper than engines. Probably not a big deal but store your engines in fresh clean oil.

 

[kelnoegut]

Does the cost of changing your oil out weigh the cost if you dont...Better safe than sorry. I would its your investment

 

[sbw1]

Base it on how many hours you think youll run next season. My customers all get their oils (engine/gear) every 25-30hours. Some religiously change it every year around this time regardless of hours just to know its fresh come spring start up

Why do your customers change oil so often? Is this something you recommend?

 

[kelnoegut]

Your getting alot of answers for the pro and con, in my opinion all good. Here is what you should do, follow your owners manual. This way you wont jeapordize your owners warrantee.

 

[fc3]

You need "Change", if you change your oil, all your dreams will come true, if you don't change, you can "Hope" that your engine doesn't corrode as it sits idle in the winter.

CHANGE or HOPE, your choice.

Perfect. Just Perfect. Don't "change" a thing.

Wins the prize. Give this man a free oil change.

Umm put it on the rich guy's bill.