Thoughts on oil changes

[Chris K]

Hey guys,
I am sure this has been talked about time and time again, but I am terrible at searching.

New boat last year early summer. We got to the 10hr first oil change in a couple of months. So late summer i did the first oil change, royal purple marine and OEM filters. Since that oil change we only got another 15 or so hours on the rest of the summer. So total now around 25 hours. I know some folks are dead set on changing the oil every season, I know these motors run hard and in a wet environment and all that good stuff. Just wondering everyones thoughts on seasonal oil changes. Im torn between changing it now or waiting for the 50 or 100 hour service. Cant remember what the manual says at the moment.

 

[Andy S]

Hey guys,
I am sure this has been talked about time and time again, but I am terrible at searching.

New boat last year early summer. We got to the 10hr first oil change in a couple of months. So late summer i did the first oil change, royal purple marine and OEM filters. Since that oil change we only got another 15 or so hours on the rest of the summer. So total now around 25 hours. I know some folks are dead set on changing the oil every season, I know these motors run hard and in a wet environment and all that good stuff. Just wondering everyones thoughts on seasonal oil changes. Im torn between changing it now or waiting for the 50 or 100 hour service. Cant remember what the manual says at the moment.

Personally for me, I like to start the season with a fresh oil change, it seems like cheap insurance and a good way to determine if there is a potential for future motor issues.

 

[ToddW850]

Just my personal preference, but I change my oil every year regardless. Part of the logic is we can only get about 2.5 quarts of oil out of the engines. So we are mixing new with old. The more oil changes, the better ratio of fresh oil. Now, granted you only put 15 hours or so on there since the last change, however, it has been sitting all winter, so that would be enough justification to me. You would be fine if you decided not to change. I just like to change it.

 

[RightStuff]

I'd check the oil to see what it looks like and make a decision from there. If it's on the darker side color-wise change it, if not wait till the end of the season or the beginning of 2017 (depending on if you prefer to change after or before the season).

 

[BigN8]

The book says every 50 hours or 12 months. Filter is every 100 hours. I think you could pull the dipstick and if the oil looks gold and not black or discolored you'd be okay. However, you could just change the oil and not the filter and that is real quick and cheap insurance. Really the filters are the biggest PITA of this process.

 

[itsdgm]

I agree with @ToddW850 since our vintage boats only allows about half of the oil to be changed, it makes sense to change it more often. But I'm not sure if you can get a higher percentage out of the newer engines.

 

[Chris K]

yea its odd how the older motors are only getting a couple quarts out. i was able to get nearly 4 full quarts out of mine at the 10 hours mark.
I will definitely check out the oil before moving it, just to see if there is any condensation or anything on the stick and decide from there. If i had used regular oil maybe definitely but i splurged for the good stuff when i did the oil change so i am thinking it might can handle it till the 50 hour mark which hopefully be around the end of the season anyhow.

 

[Boat Crazy]

Many will state the oil is best changed in the Fall, since the oil can become acidic and sit in your motors all Winter if not changed. Many will say change in the Spring so that any moisture occurring over the winter is removed. Even the professionals cannot totally agree unless you choose to do Fall And Spring. I chose to do mine in the Fall, mainly because that way I only have to change plugs in the Spring. I do not fret it if I miss the Fall change and just do it in the Spring. All that said, the main thing is to change at least once a year.