winterization oil change
- Thread starter dav
- Start date
Ok, I own a '01 Wellcraft Martinique 2600
with the Bravo 3 outdrive 7.4 litre.
I will change my oil this year in the Spring because I believe in fresh oil that has not sat in a pan all winter. I think the Marina's do it in the fall because it's convienent to change the oil when they are winterizing your craft.
TJ
with the Bravo 3 outdrive 7.4 litre.
I will change my oil this year in the Spring because I believe in fresh oil that has not sat in a pan all winter. I think the Marina's do it in the fall because it's convienent to change the oil when they are winterizing your craft.
TJ
My opinion is that it is better to change in the fall and allow the engine to run on the new oil when you bring it around to be pulled. This way everything is bathed in clean oil instead of sitting all winter bathed in contaminated oil. Regardless of what I may hear about oil sitting, I don't believe (my opinion) that there is any difference between the new oil sitting in the pan or sitting in a bottle for the winter.
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Condensation I doubt would be anywhere near as bad as oil with the past season's wear particles, moisture, fuel dilution, etc. You buy a new car or truck, it could sit on the lot for 6 months easy before being sold with the same new oil in it. So the fall is the best time to change it. For outdrives, and outboard lower units, same thing, if water got in during the season it could crack the housing if it gets cold enough. Plus, if you got water in the lower unit, you will see that when changing the oil and get it fixed over the winter in the slow season, not in the spring rush.
I have been running Mobil 1 in two different 7.4L powered boats since 1992. I use 15W-50 with a M1-302 filter (your filter would likely be different since you have a 8.1L engine). I would not bother changing oil with only 40 hours on it.
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With synthetic oil, I agree. But I know supposedly knowledgable people who use conventional oil, and change it in the fall and again in the spring with zero hours on it. Supposedly it deteriorates over time regardless of having not been "used."
Is there any truth to that?
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I assume you have diesels in your Trojan. For gas engines, the quantity of oil makes it just about as cheap to change the oil as to have it tested.
I'm running Amsoil synthetic in mine and will be going on my third season next year. At 6 gallons per engine it's a big savings to have it analyzed. And it's such an effort to get to my starboard oil filters that it's worth the price to me to use synthetic.
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I only put 27 hours on this year. My new motor warranty says I have to do a change at 25 - 30 hours for the first one and recommends 75-100 after that. Since I am changing oil in one I might as well do both. I too am sending out samples of both motors, the transmissions and this year the generator. Just about 20 gallons of oil for the motors and generator, about 5 for the transmission. At $12/gal and another 60-100 in filters it ain't cheap. But having replaced a motor, it is definitely cheaper than that. Getting it tested in the fall and changing in the spring if necessary is a good alternative.
Captain Rick, I don't know what motors you have but have you thought about relocating the filters. Both of mine are on centerline. Very easy access.
Captain Rick, I don't know what motors you have but have you thought about relocating the filters. Both of mine are on centerline. Very easy access.
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Sure have. But the job pretty much as to be done in conjunction with an oil change. And as hard as it is to simply change the filters (all by feel - can't see them), I'd have to hire a contortionist to do it. If I only have to change oil every 3 to 4 years, it's probably not worth it.
Follow up on my question about a volvo penta with 40 hours (now 48) on the oil.I already had the filter and mobil 1 15/50 was $22 for 5 qts at Wallmart so I gave it a quick oil change.The 48 hr oil was black and sludgy (yes it was changed las year by a mechanic).I was suprised it looked so dirty with so few hours.After seeing the condition I'll cont to throw in clean oil before storing the boat.Went synthetic due to advise on the net and volvo recommendations but the mobil 1 was affordable.2 five qt bottles at west marine would have been more than $90.