Warming engine prior to oil change

[Dthorpe]

Is it necessary to run water through the engine while warming it up at home prior to oil change? I was thinking that since the water's only function is to cool the motor, then I should be able to warm the engine without it by just running it for 2-3 minutes.

 

[ZGhost]

It takes longer to get the oil to temp. It’s best to warm on the hose for 8 to 10 min. You’ll be glad you did when you see that you are able to get most of old oil out.

 

[drewkaree]

I have no idea what it's like to warm it up on the hose, I did my oil change with the boat in the water. I felt like next time I do this, 5 minutes, at the most, is more than sufficient to warm it up. I can't remember how long I ran it, but it's in my oil change thread around here somewhere, and I felt I went too long - oil was warm enough that I felt the extraction hose on my oil pump was on the verge of collapsing from the warmth of it.

 

[WREKS]

Do not run engine(s) without cooling water. Follow owners manual. YAMAHA MANUAL STORE

 

[biffdotorg]

I was asking myself this question when I did my first oil change. My mind was thinking, why am I cooling the engine, while my goal was to warm it up. And that same answer made the most sense, the wrong parts of the engine are getting too warm if you don't use the hose. The goal is to get all that oil up to temp.

So yes, use the hose, or leave in in the lake and do it on the water. You will get much more oil out warmed up. I did one change by only warming for a few seconds off hose, and got nowhere near enough oil out.

I'm doing mine on the lift this year. I can sit and idle it all I want, or go for a quick buzz to get it up to temp.

Good luck!

 

[Canuckjetboater]

Is it necessary to run water through the engine while warming it up at home prior to oil change? I was thinking that since the water's only function is to cool the motor, then I should be able to warm the engine without it by just running it for 2-3 minutes.

@Dthorpe .....the thing is that you want to warm your engine enough to get the oil HOT. That is the only way the oil will carry contaminants with it as you remove it.

 

[Dthorpe]

Hmmm, I thought the primary reason to heat the oil was so that it would be runny enough to maximize drainage.

 

[Canuckjetboater]

Hmmm, I thought the primary reason to heat the oil was so that it would be runny enough to maximize drainage.

@Dthorpe .....respectfully, no. The primary reason is to put the contaminants into suspension so that they can be removed. This only happens when the oil is heated to normal operating temperature - HOT. Back in the day when running racing engines we would send the oil in for analysis. We experimented a bit just for fun.....oil not properly heated did not remove contaminants. As well, engines that are open loop cooling often run cooler so it is even more important to heat your oil HOT before removing it otherwise you are leaving too many contaminants behind, a waste of an oil change.....and even though Yamaha doesn't say to always change the oil filter too (the ONLY engine manufacturer I have ever read stating this) doing so is absolutely a no brainer!

 

[Dthorpe]

Interesting. You don't think just running the engine and stirring things up is what puts the contaminants into suspension?

 

[Canuckjetboater]

Interesting. You don't think just running the engine and stirring things up is what puts the contaminants into suspension?

@Dthorpe ....absolutely not. There are all sorts of contaminants, water vapor, gaseous fuel by-products etc. that only detach from internal parts at heat. You aren't totally wasting an oil change but nearly wasting it. Number one oil change rule (other than having a rag handy) is to heat your oil to hot. I believe yamaha warns that oil changes will involve HOT oil - which would be wise advice. I often reply knowing that new ideas come-up and nothing is ever "written in stone" but I believe changing oil HOT is written in stone.