Change oil and plugs in fall or spring?

[waveland]

Is there a reason most boaters change the oil and plugs in the fall rather than in the spring? Would the plugs being in the motor all winter cause any problem to them? Same with clean oil being in a cold engine all winter? Is there a chance that moisture can build up in that oil over the months? Just thought I get some perspective on this from all of you.

 

[jprice]

Re: Change oil and plugs in fall or spring?

According to my owners manual, is says you should wait until after the initial startup in spring before putting new plugs in. Something about the fogging oil that was applied for the winterization might foul the plugs a bit?
Not sure how true that is, but since they're so easy to change out, I'll wait until spring just to be safe.

 

[robert graham]

Re: Change oil and plugs in fall or spring?

change oil/lubricants in the fall/end of season. you want fresh oil in your motor over the winter to stop/slow corrosion of internal parts. dirty motor oil can become acidic and attack engine parts and that's why the oils advertise having corrosion inhibitors in them. also if you drain motor or foot oil and it's contaminated with water or normal wear deposits, then you want to get that oil out of your motor and make any repairs to seals or other mechanicals right away during the off-season. As for the plugs, the fogging oil isn't going to hurt them and the first run down the lake should burn off any fouling anyway. Good Luck!

 

[WAVENBYE2]

Re: Change oil and plugs in fall or spring?

I do it the fall before I winterize her so I can thoroughly check her out and fix or replace anything that needs done, That way by the time spring gets here I am good to go and know everything has been done, charge battery and she's ready for a new season. I also wait till fall/winter because it gives me a reason to work on her instead of just sitting on my aft doing nothing, wire connection,grease, etc.. thorough going through

 

[Grand Larsony]

Re: Change oil and plugs in fall or spring?

I prefer to change oil in spring (at least that's what my boat man does, possibly for his convenience).

Doesn't matter, especially if you change engine oil annually. The corrosion properties of the oil will be fine over the winter.

 

[werthert]

Re: Change oil and plugs in fall or spring?

Uh, yeah. Gonna go for spring on that one. Don't think I wanna have oil getting dirty/sitting for 6 months. I'd rather have it new/clean for use.

Anyways, just change it middle of April, at least here, still got a month before good boating weather anyways, and time to fix whatever.

 

[truckermatt]

Re: Change oil and plugs in fall or spring?

for those who change oil in oil in spring... I hope you dont have any water in there..... because that would stink if it froze..... you lower unit also...

Besides the oil you put in.. in the fall will be just fine come spring.... Oil can sit on the shelfs of the store for 6 months sometimes...

 

[bigskiohio]

Re: Change oil and plugs in fall or spring?

I will wait till spring on engine but outdrive i will drain and remove and store in basement. as for water in the pan ,you could just drain the oil now just dont fill it and make sure you fill it before running. oil just sits in pan doesnt really protect anything.

 

[skargo]

Re: Change oil and plugs in fall or spring?

Uh, yeah. Gonna go for spring on that one. Don't think I wanna have oil getting dirty/sitting for 6 months. I'd rather have it new/clean for use.

Anyways, just change it middle of April, at least here, still got a month before good boating weather anyways, and time to fix whatever.

Just how does oil get dirty from sitting there???

Change it in the fall, all oil accumulates moisture from RUNNING, not sitting, and who wants moisture sitting in their engine all winter long?

 

[gonefishie]

Re: Change oil and plugs in fall or spring?

waveland as in Waveland, IN?