Changing engine oil

[trucktramp]

I have a 1975 Mercruiser 140 that is new to me. The previous owner supposedly winterized it but I thought that I'd change the fluids before taking it out. My question is What is the easiest way to do this? Do you just pull out the plug in the oil pan and let it drain into the bilge area and out the drain plug or is there (hopefully) a better way?

 

[ken_23434]

Re: Changing engine oil

You can hook up a pump to the dipstick tube that will suck out the oil though the tube. There are both hand pump models and electric ones. It is recommended to have the oil fully warmed up, though before changing the oil to help it get sucked out.

Another option is a hose that attaches to the drain plug and that hose then can fit through the bilge drain plug in the transome. You can then direct the oil draining out into an appropriate container.

Those are the only 2 ways I know of to keep the oil out of the bilge.

Simple green is great for cleaning the bilge area (oil filter will likely spill some).

 

[Simoniz]

Re: Changing engine oil

Well there isnt that much room under the engine on my boat but I got a 5 litre oil can (plastic) and cut a hole in 1 side so that the oil can drain into it. The hole needs to be cut maybe 4 inch square and in such a position that you can manoevre the can out from unrer the engine without spilling the oil out. I cut my hole towards the top of the can.

You might have to drain the oil in two goes if one sumpful fills your drain can too full to get it out without spilling any.

 

[hoot]

Re: Changing engine oil

you don't want to dump it into the bilge! the mess will never come clean. the drain hole is probably a little higher than the floor also, so how do you get the oil out? you can add water to the bilge since oil floats on water, BUT, the oil and water will flow under your floor! a long time ago i used two thick trash bags, one inside the other, and placed them under the oil pan. if you aren't careful, you can rip the bags and what a mess you will have to clean up and oil doesn't come out of boat carpet easily. the easiest way is to take it to a boat shop and let them do it. they do make a fitting and tubing than screws into the oil pan hole, but you still have to get the oil out first. and i suppose you have the small diameter dip stick tube without a screw on fitting making the vacuum pump method slow go.

 

[rjwoodrome]

Re: Changing engine oil

I purchased a pump for the dipstick. works great! no muss, no fuss, no oil in the bilge..

 

[littlebookworm]

Re: Changing engine oil

In my opinion, it makes little sense with trying to drain the oil out through the bottom of the engine, risking a mess in your bilge which is almost impossible to clean completely. Go to your nearest marine supply store and pick up a vacuum oil extractor. it sucks the oil through the dipstick tube into a container which you can then pour out into a suitable plastic jug to take to be recycled. You then avoid any mess in your boat or later in the water. Remember that oil spilled into the bilge will eventually be pumped overboard through your bilge pump. That is a fine waiting to happen. You should have the engine warmed up when you change the oil, but since the oil was changed last fall, that's not going to be a problem this time. When you change the filter have some rags or absorbant pads ready to catch any drips. Simple job done cleanly. Hy

 

[JaseBosto]

Re: Changing engine oil

I drain my 3.0 like so:
1. Cut a 1 gallon plastic milk jug, leaving the handle. You want a big hole in it, and size it up so it will fit under the engine, while leaving as much of the jug left.
2. Get your wrench under there and get that drain plug loose.
3. Stick milk jug under it.
4. Drain a decent amount into the milk jug, while not coming close to the top of the jug so you don't spill.
5. Plug it up.
6. Pour into your drain pan outside the boat.
7. Continue that process until your completely drained.
8. Replace plug and tighten accordingly.

I would never suck the oil out with a tube unless there is no way to drain it. I don't think you can get the buildup on the bottom of the pan out using a tube.

 

[PiratePast40]

Re: Changing engine oil

A couple of trash bags under the engine are easier to get out. Just be careful you don't catch the bag on anything and tear it on the way out.

 

[Gary H NC]

Re: Changing engine oil

Dang guys! You do it the messy way!

Notice the threads where the dip stick is? Same size as a garden hose.
A 15 dollar drill pump from Napa and a short section of old garden hose and presto! Oil suction pump!
Keep the suction side hose short and hold the drill pump down in a 5 gallon bucket.
With the oil warm it sucks it out in about 3 minutes.

 

[ziggy]

Re: Changing engine oil

I would never suck the oil out with a tube unless there is no way to drain it. I don't think you can get the buildup on the bottom of the pan out using a tube.

that'd be me. can't even take the drain plug out. i have no problems using a vacuum type extractor. w/ a tube down the dipstick tube. my 75 has no screw threads like a garden hose on the dipstick tube.
i'm pretty sure i get all the oil out of it. i can tap the bottom of the pan with the oil extractor tube through the dip stick tube. when empty it sounds like ting ting ting when ya tap the bottom of the pan. it rings. it's empty..
the vac. extractors are zero mess too other than the filter change..