Opinions on oil change

[crazy charlie]

I usually change the oil in my 5.0 mercruisers as part of winterizing.Then I fire it up in the spring a few times and change the oil again before I put it in the water for the season.Any opinions on draining the oil in the fall and not putting fresh oil in it until the spring.Doesent all the oil drain into the pan while it sits anyway??Charlie

 

[Don S]

Re: Opinions on oil change

WHY, would you change NEW oil? ? ? ?
Since oil temperatures when you are running reaches well over 212° any moisture from condensation (probably less than a quarter of a thimbal full) will be burned off very quickly.

 

[crazy charlie]

Re: Opinions on oil change

I have read that acids develop in the oil over the extended period of layup.Thats why I am considering leaving it w/o new oil until the spring unless someone tells me that it is not recommended.

 

[WillyBWright]

Re: Opinions on oil change

Perish the thought somebody starts the motor with no oil in it. Ticking time bomb. I've seen MerCruiser recommendations regarding your procedure. You are probably one of the 1% or less that does it. If you feel better doing it, do it. But I wouldn't leave the pan empty. Oil is cheap, motors are not.

 

[Don S]

Re: Opinions on oil change

How would acids build up just setting there? If that was the case, oil sitting on the shelf in stores will do the same thing.
Just where did you read this information?

 

[Laddies]

Re: Opinions on oil change

Sounds like he has been listening to some clown thats trying to make a BUCK on the oil or the service, we have several in this area that will swear that it has to be done. Some of these people are as crooked as a pan of guts, didn't use to be that way but times are changing--Bob

 

[WillyBWright]

Re: Opinions on oil change

I've heard the argument from Merc factory guys. 'Course Merc sells oil too.

 

[Don S]

Re: Opinions on oil change

Well, if acid builds up just setting there during winter and requires another oil change, then I for one will start changing my oil after every hour of running.
I know running an engine puts more acid into the oil than setting for a few months. Shouldn't be using oil with acid in it for more than an hour, who knows, maybe minutes will damage my engine.
Well, shoot, that won't work, the oil on the shelf may be too old and have built up acid worse than what is in my engine.
Any tests for this SERIOUS "acid in the oil" problem that seems to be damaging engines?

 

[ziggy]

Re: Opinions on oil change

i've read the same thing cc. about the oil breakin down over the winter, just sittin there. + the condensation issue. i can go along with dons's idea that that will be boiled off, but i too am concerend about the aledged breakdown of the oil. acidity, whatever. so i to change my oil at end of year, winterize item. then change it again come spring maybe after the first run. i suppose i'm bein excessive, but i figure, least i can do is try to provide my 'ol engine some freash lub. it surly must like that.....i don't know anything about this storein w/o oil in it. that seems like a different idea. are you sayin wbw that there is a mercruiser tech service bullitin that recommeds storein w/o oil in the engine over the winter? or am i missunderstanding.....

 

[Don S]

Re: Opinions on oil change

are you sayin wbw that there is a mercruiser tech service bullitin that recommeds storein w/o oil in the engine over the winter?

No, there's no bulletin like that. Had to be some rep with a personal opinion.
Nothing has ever been published by any of the marine companies like Mercruiser, Volvo, Crusader, formerly OMC, Kodiac, Marine Power, etc. etc. either gas or diesel that says you should change your oil both before and after extended storage (6-8,months).
No wonder this country uses so much oil. You guys are throwing away perfectly good oil.

 

[ziggy]

Re: Opinions on oil change

I know running an engine puts more acid into the oil than setting for a few months.

i see. sounds like i shouldn't bother with the spring change cause i'll hopefully be runnin it more than an hour after that oil change. maybe i should just wait till mid season and change it when it's lookin kinda dirty again.....good clarification dons......

 

[WillyBWright]

Re: Opinions on oil change

Procedure I was referring to was fall & spring changes.

 

[ziggy]

Re: Opinions on oil change

You guys are throwing away perfectly good oil.

, that makes me feel sad dons, i don't want to be a contributor to that. at least i take it to a recylcer.....i may revise my procedures after this thread..........
some rep with a personal opinon ay? sounds like that might be likely if it aint in writin on a oem letterhead......

 

[WillyBWright]

Re: Opinions on oil change

MerCruiser winterizing procedures also recommend impeller changes. Then the recommissioning procedures also recommend impeller changes. Eleventh Commandment: "Cover thy tookus". Go figure.

 

[crazy charlie]

Re: Opinions on oil change

Ziggy,storing w/o oil was not in any manual,it was just a thought that sounded logical to me.Since an oil change in my 2 motors costs me around 20 bucks I will continue to do as the manual states.As you say,I too will provide my 'ol engines with some fresh lube.CONGRATS Don!!! That was the most unprofessional response I have ever seen you write.I was looking for opinions and advice,not sarcasm.Did you have any assistance with your sarcastic response???

 

[Don S]

Re: Opinions on oil change

Look at the title of your thread CC.

Opinions on oil change

You now know my opinion, and it was meant as sarcasim.

Changing unused oil after a few months .............Geeeezzzzzzzz.

 

[crazy charlie]

Re: Opinions on oil change

You were too busy trying to be sarcastic to even attempt to answer the question asked.Try reading the entire post next time.
Your usual technical advice is great.Your sarcasm stinks!!Stick to what you are good at.

 

[Scaaty]

Re: Opinions on oil change

Insanity. You simply dump the old old oil in the fall after running it to temp, put in fresh and fire it and fog it after a good oil circulate. 12 months later, repeat. Thats if you do winter layover. Combustion blow by and acid forming don't happen without the engine running, and even then, takes quite a few hours running.

 

[Lyndy]

Re: Opinions on oil change

Sounds like he has been listening to some clown thats trying to make a BUCK on the oil or the service, we have several in this area that will swear that it has to be done. Some of these people are as crooked as a pan of guts, didn't use to be that way but times are changing--Bob

Jiffylube, EZ-Lube and similar types all over the place in SoCal. Goverment is busting the Chops once again for the ones lying and doing Shill Games.

 

[ziggy]

Re: Opinions on oil change

ut oh, do i see the makeins of an oil war comein on. we must be board...... cabin fever i think.......

this is whats happen at my house right now.......