Oil change before lift out

[Miker]

I normally change the oil after lift out but was wondering whether it would make any difference if I did it while the boat was still on the water. It would mean that I would have to motor three miles up the river after the oil change for the boat to be lifted out.

 

[Johnjo]

Should imagine it would do the world of good,
Nice new oil around the bearings,
Plus the fact, while it's in the water,You can run it towarm the oil prior to change'New filter.
Another job less to do.
mike

 

[roger]

It's a lot easier to warm up the engine when the boats in the water - why not do the tappets at the same time?

 

[Avocet]

I think it's always better to change the oil before laying up. New oil will have better anti-oxidant properties than the old stuff so it should keep the steel bits inside your motor from rusting.

 

[billywilliams]

See October PBO #430 for winterising advice!

 

[LadyInBed]

On my last boat I rigged a drain hose and tap from the bottom of the fresh water tank that could be connected to the engine impeller input. I could flush the engine with fresh water, do the oil change and drain the water tank.

 

[philip_stevens]

...............and fill a bucket with fresh water before running the engine on the water tank water and add some anti-freeze. Then with the last slurp of water from the tank, drop the hose into the bucket and flush the anti-freeze mixture through the engine before stopping it.

Fresh water freezes at 0C, and salty water stays liquid to a lower temp. The anti-freeze mixture will prevent any freezing in the engine system.

Not quite so important down here in the milder far south-west, but I still do it every lay-up - after changing the oil and filter.

regards,
Philip

 

[Trevor_swfyc]

Have no fear the 3 mile run up river will do more good than harm as it will ensure the new oil is fully attached to all engine components. You will notice a slight change in oil colour but this will be due to the cleaning effect of the new oil and slight contamination from old oil, as it is impossible to remove it completely on most marine engines. I expect you are doing the oil change on your mooring if so pick a quiet day when you can do the change without being subjected to passing traffic wash.

 

[Miker]

Thanks everyone.

I shall do the oil change before I take the boat up river and once the boat is out of the water, I shall flush the raw water system through as recommended.