Winterising engine

[Miker]

An old hoary annual, no doubt. At the beginning of the season I always have a full engine service which includes changing the oil and oil filter. So is there any need also to change the oil filter when changing the engine oil for the winter laying up?

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[chriscallender]

I would just do both now, and not do anything on oil (other than check the level) at the start of next season. Don't know what the science of this would recommend, other than not leaving the old oil in the engine over the winter.

Chris


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[MedMan]

I agree with chriscallender. Change the oil and the filter in the autumn when you lay up. That is essential to avoid acid oil sitting in the engine all winter. No need to do either in the spring.

In contrast, do not replace your belts or impeller untill the spring. (You can take the old impeller out, but don't put the new one in) Time, compression and extension are the enemies of rubber so why give them the winter to deteriorate?


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[dulcibella]

I certainly agree that you should change oil and filter just before lay-up. I suggest it is unwise to be mean over oil changes in a diesel - I'd change oil and filter after every 100 h of engine running time or thereabouts. For my pattern of use, this works out at a change before the summer cruise, a change afterwards, and the lay-up change.

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[dulcibella]

I certainly agree that you should change oil and filter just before lay-up. I suggest it is unwise to be mean over oil changes in a diesel - I'd change oil and filter after every 100 h of engine running time or thereabouts. For my pattern of use, this works out at a change before the summer cruise, a change afterwards, and the lay-up change.

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[Miker]

Thanks everyone. I was wondering whether leaving the old oil filter in when changing the oil for the winter layup would do any harm. Perhaps I should take the advice and spend a extra few quid on a new oil filter.

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[vyv_cox]

There would be no value in changing the filter next spring, since its function is to remove particles when the oil is circulating. The engine is not running, so it has done nothing over the winter. It is worth changing it with the oil change, as some particles will either remain in the sump or will be added with the new oil. These are best filtered out when your nice new oil with its unused detergent can pick them up and move them on at its best.

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[squidge]

Hi , sorry for this spin off but ... engine flush! is it worth doing? is it something that you do as par for the course? As my boat engine has lots of oil changes compaired with my car should i still need to wash out sludge or is it advertising hype?
Any thoughts?
Regards
Squidge

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[vyv_cox]

Modern diesel lubricants contain detergents that will flush all oilways more effectively than any flushing oil. Drain after a reasonable period of engine operation, rather than a short time at tickover, and any sludge should be removed quite effectively. The only negative is that with raw-water cooled engines in cold climates, condensate can cause emulsion sludging inside the rocker cover. You may feel it necessarily to scrape this out if it is obvious inside the oil filler.

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[PeterGibbs]

I take the view that the cleaner I leave the engine's oil system for the winter the better - that includes heaving out the old filter on the last day of operation. It follows there is no need to change anything come the spring launch.

This also applies to the fuel system, where removing all filters and accumulations of pollutant from fixed filters etc is essential to preventing acid attack to expensive parts and smooth running the following season.

I also agree with the comments about the raw water impeller - remove it and store in water over the winter, if it is fit to reuse. I do not leave the old one bent and twisted in its housing until the spring, with the risk of frost rupture in the interim, then to lever the remains out....

Peace of mind in this area is not costly, really, is it? (I think)

Peter Gibbs

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[Oldhand]

Also, if on inspection you are happy with drive belt condition, alternator belt for example, take the tension off it for the winter so it doesn't develope a permanent distortion round the relatively small diameter pulley. It will also take the static load off the pulley bearings which can't do any harm.

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