Changing oil in Yanmar saildrive

[wizard]

Just bought a new boat with Yanmar 2GM20FC plus SD20 saildrive. Going down to the boat this weekend to change the oil/oil filter etc after the first month of use. Have read the supplied manuals and it seems to change the saildrive oil one has to pump it out and pump it in with special equipment. Just wondered if anyone has found a more user friendly way of doing this job ie with much more affordable and common equipment.

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[snowleopard]

very simple. dry out then remove the plug from the bottom of the leg (large flat-blade screwdriver. remove the filler cap also to let air in, allow to drain for 10 mins then re-fit plug. there is a thin rubber ring round the plug which should be replaced. be careful to get it seated correctly and not trapped in the recess or it will leak oil out and water in! when tightening apply only as much pressure as you can by holding the screwdriver - no levers.

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[wizard]

Thanks for the reply- but have just paid to have the boat put in the water a month ago(32feet - not cheap!) and also its a very deep fin. I think your method would be great at the annual haul out.

The other point is- Does the saildrive actually have that much wear in the first year that it would grind away and do damage before the annual haul out. I had a new 1GM10 a few years back and I dont remember anything about changing the oil this quick in the standard gearbox.


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[snowleopard]

the reason for the early oil change is that there are likely to be stray bits of metal from manufacturing and initial wear so they need to be removed.

is it not possible to dry out alongside piles or suchlike? you are much more likely to get the nasties out by draining rather than sucking with a tube.

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