When to do engine & leg service.

[atlowers]

Boat gets lifted out for winter ina couple of weeks and the engine and leg is due a service. Just debating wether to have it done after lift out (all that lovely new oil sitting in bottom of sump for 5 months) or leave it til just before new season lift in, pros and cons to both I think so should I do it now or later and reasons please.

 

[neale]

Do it now.

Better to have new oil in the engine than the old contaminated stuff.

Also means that when the weather breaks in the spring, the boat is ready to go.

 

[spannerman]

Also if there is water in the bellows its better to find out sooner than later, or it will cost even more.

 

[neale]

Also, doing it now gives you plenty of notice if something is wrong.

ie, if you drain the oil out the leg and it's milky, you need to get the leg seals looked at. Better to find this out now, than the week before you want to go away on it.

 

[gjgm]

probably going to want to run the engines to warm the oil, and thats easier in the water;get oil+filters done.
Leg needs to be out of the water, so anytime really.

 

[cliffdale]

Do it now. Engine oil after a season is slightly acidy, so I am told. It is better to let the engines stand in fresh oil.
CD

 

[atlowers]

Re: When to do engine & leg service.

Thanks everybody, confirms my initial thoughts but couple of guys at my club had suggested waiting til next february was best option which had raised the question in my mind.