When to change the engine oil

[majoma]

Hello everyone.
It has been one year since I changed the engine oil on my 2000 Sea Ray 340 and I only put about 25 hours since.
In your opinion should I change it again? It still looks good.
Thanks

 

[KevinC]

I change mine every fall as part of the winterizing process regardless of the number of hours. It's a pretty easy job and the best insurance around for making sure your engine lasts. I use the mercury/quicksilver oil and filters that are readily available at reasonable prices at Walmart if needed.

-Kevin

 

[Golfman25]

Do you winterize? If so, with 25 hrs I would change it. If you don't and will continue to use the boat, then I think 50 hrs is standard. So maybe another 6 months.

 

[JVM225]

Change it at the end of the season regardless of hours.
I average 50-60 hours per year on my boat, and about 20 hours a year on my kids boat and both get the oil changed at the end of the season as part of the winterization process.
Not a great idea to leave the season’s oil in the motor over the winter.

BTW: Look in to switching to WIX filters.

 

[sbw1]

Once a year is cheap insurance even with low hours.

 

[BillK2632]

Once a year, in the fall if you winterize or 100hrs whichever comes first - this is from the maintenance schedule in my Mercruiser manual.

 

[Phasma]

Every fall

 

[Lazy Daze]

Change it. As mentioned, it's cheap insurance. Also, as mentioned, once a year or every 100 hours is standard/recommended, according to Merc.

Edit: For clarity... once a year or every 100 hours is a "whichever comes first" thing.

 

[330DA]

The oil has been in the engine for a year. Once the engine is run, the oil starts to get dirty and the additives begin to breakdown. Corrosives also form. Free floating, microscopic, metals from wear cause oxidation and that contributes to sludge.

Yes, change the oil annually or at 50 hours. Cheap insurance.

 

[majoma]

Thank you all. I agree it's good and cheap insurance to change it.

 

[Fly'n Family]

Once a year or 50 hours - whichever comes first - has worked for me for a long time. As everyone's mentioned, it's inexpensive insurance.

 

[Fletch]

Once its goes black, you can never go back!

 

[hottoddie]

I'm changing mine with about 50 hours this year. The engines were professionally rebuilt 4 years ago and have run flawlessly and do not consume or leak any oil. This year for the first time I am going to take oil samples and send them to Blackstone Labs for analysis.

 

[JVM225]

Hello everyone.
It has been one year since I changed the engine oil on my 2000 Sea Ray 340 and I only put about 25 hours since.
In your opinion should I change it again? It still looks good.
Thanks

Change it again and take a sample of your old oil and send it to a lab for analysis.

 

[Blueone]

If you change the oil in the fall like I do and put little time on the boat and it sits all winter.... Then run 50 hours the next summer ... Is it really a year old?... I change it but I am starting to think two years at 50hrs/year is not doing damage. I get the cheap insurance thing but it is starting to feel like overkill.

 

[techmitch]

If you change the oil in the fall like I do and put little time on the boat and it sits all winter.... Then run 50 hours the next summer ... Is it really a year old?... I change it but I am starting to think two years at 50hrs/year is not doing damage. I get the cheap insurance thing but it is starting to feel like overkill.

Maybe your not putting enough hrs on your boat.

 

[Blueone]

Maybe your not putting enough hrs on your boat.

That is definitely a problem since we moved close to the islands. 45 minutes one way and sit all weekend is not helping my hour count.
We are going to fix that problem next year so I don't think changing the oil is a waste of time and money

 

[Motoguy2158]

We bought a new to us 340 Sundancer late last year. We put 150 hours on it this summer in Michigan. I have always done the 100 hours or every fall before layup. This is my first boating season too need an oil change before the end of the season. Dam it was a great year. Cant wait for next summer. I think the girl at the gas dock had my credit card number memorized...lol... Cant grow algae on a moving boat!!