Oil Change Procedure

Flytrade

Flytrade

Active Member
Feb 20, 2018
302
Bradenton, FL
Boat Info
2006 320 Sundancer
Engines
Twin 6.2L Mercruiser
I'm ready for an oil change, but don't want to spend the big bucks for someone else to do it if I can do it myself. However, I'm not used to engines in a boat where I can't get to the drain plug - which is on the underside of the engine.
I therefore think the best way to change to oil is with a siphon kit - take the oil from the dip stick.
Is this the way to do it? Any better ideas?
 
Sucking works
Lots of types of suckers. Oil dip stick should have threads on it just hook to them and suck.
 
Threads on the dipstick tube should be 3/4” male hose. Get yourself a decent oil change pump with the money you save by doing it yourself and you’re going to get many years out of it.
 
Warm up the engines and that will help get the oil flowing quickly. As others said it is a 3/4 Garden hose thread - if you get a pump without the fitting just pickup a fitting at Home Depot (or like) that has the correct size barb for your suction tube. Get a bunch of empty containers and pump right into them for easy cleanup - this way you don't need to wait to pour the oil in for a container.

The oil filter should be easy access. Use the mercruiser/quicksilver - cheap at walmart - and have a small container bowl (I use old smart balance containers) to put it after removing to keep thing clean.

It's probably one of the easiest DIY jobs that an owner can take on to save some money.

-Kevin
 
Definitely something you can do. Only caution I would add to the above is make sure the o-ring from old oil filter is removed with old filter. If this o-ring is left on the engine block [or remote flange] it will blow out and the oil along with it as you cruise across the lake.
 
Along with the suggestion for making sure the old O ring on the filter comes out:
I always put a film of fresh oil on the O ring on the new filter. Makes it easier to remove the next time.
 
I use a $29 Walmart shop vac. I call it my sacrificial Shop vac, and use it only for oil, brake fluid, etc, and store it in a trash bag so that it doesn't leak all over. Wrap duct tape around the hose end to join it to the dipstick tube, and it will slurp out all of the oil way faster than a more expensive hand pump.
 
Leardriver said:
I use a $29 Walmart shop vac. I call it my sacrificial Shop vac, and use it only for oil, brake fluid, etc, and store it in a trash bag so that it doesn't leak all over. Wrap duct tape around the hose end to join it to the dipstick tube, and it will slurp out all of the oil way faster than a more expensive hand pump.
Click to expand...

Just remember oil mist is highly combustible and it's being sucked through an electric motor with exposed brushes.

It might work now...... but I bet over time the oil build up in the motor will case it to ignite at some point.

To the original poster just rent/borrow/buy the correct tools for the job.

If anyone lives in Middle TN or in the Chattanooga area you can borrow my "top sider" anytime you want.
 
What brand and weight oil are people using in 7.4 Horizons.

I’ve always been happy with Rotella 40 wght in the various boats I’ve had, but they were all SBC/ 5.7’s which ran cooler then these horizon motors, which run at 170, and think that wold call for a different viscousity oil.
 
suss1173 said:
What brand and weight oil are people using in 7.4 Horizons.

I’ve always been happy with Rotella 40 wght in the various boats I’ve had, but they were all SBC/ 5.7’s which ran cooler then these horizon motors, which run at 170, and think that wold call for a different viscousity oil.
Click to expand...

Check your engine manual.

Edit: If you don't have a manual do a search using your S/N and you will be able to find a downloadable manual for your year, make and model.
 
Last edited:
suss1173 said:
What brand and weight oil are people using in 7.4 Horizons.

I’ve always been happy with Rotella 40 wght in the various boats I’ve had, but they were all SBC/ 5.7’s which ran cooler then these horizon motors, which run at 170, and think that wold call for a different viscousity oil.
Click to expand...

Can’t go wrong with Rotella and you can buy it at Walmart.
 
JVM225 said:
Can’t go wrong with Rotella and you can buy it at Walmart.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the feedback. I have been happy with it in both of my previous boats.
 
I never used that particular pump but they all work basically the same way.
Mercruiser makes it easy. The top of the dipstick tube is 3/4” male hose thread. Get yourself a 3/4” female hose with a barb on the end. Shove the pumps hose on to that barb and clamp it.
Thread the female on to the male and you’re good to go.
If the inside diameter of that particular pumps hose is too small to get on the barb you can do it in two steps.
Get a hose that will fit on the barb then go to the plumbing aisle in Home Depot or Lowe’s and find a nipple that will fit the pumps hose on one end and the other hose on the other and clamp them on to it.
 
KevinC said:
Watch the hose that you use too. If it's a cheap hose it may collapse on itself from the vacuum pressure when it warms up from the oil and softens.

-Kevin
Click to expand...

Great advice! Should have included that I always used a piece of fuel line for it.
 
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