Do we really need to change the oil?

[boatguya1]

Had customers just poor a quart of 2 stroke oil in the v-8 (omc cobra) then after pooring it in ask if it was the right stuff. Kids in the boat didn't really seem to think the oil needs to be changed after the price of an oil change came up. "But it's only one quart out of 5" they say "Do we really need to change it"? The boats been at the marina for a year and it hasn't been changed.

I wouldn't risk it, what say the oil experts?

James

 

[danond]

Re: Do we really need to change the oil?

Cost of an engine/cost of an oil change...why risk it? I don't know the properties of 2 cycle vs normal oil, and in this case, I'd not care - I'd change it.

 

[boatguya1]

Re: Do we really need to change the oil?

Cost of an engine/cost of an oil change...why risk it? I don't know the properties of 2 cycle vs normal oil, and in this case, I'd not care - I'd change it.

Yea that's my thought. I just couldn't believe they were arguing it or as they put we're not arguing, but are you sure it needs to be changed.

James

 

[Fishermark]

Re: Do we really need to change the oil?

...what say the oil experts?

Well, you came to the right place!

Let the games begin!

 

[Gary H NC]

Re: Do we really need to change the oil?

Well.......um...........I guess i will stay out of this one...

 

[APPALOOSA2]

Re: Do we really need to change the oil?

Would I poor it in to make it home, yes ....Will it hurt anything , probably not.
Would I still be on last years oil..... Hell NO !

 

[JustJason]

Re: Do we really need to change the oil?

so what is the actual question here??? are we now trying to quantify stupidity?

 

[boatguya1]

Re: Do we really need to change the oil?

I guess I just couldn't believe my ears when they said that and had to get it out of my system somewhere. Maybe we need a "stupid questions boaters ask" thread but this may not be the appropriate forum for that.

James

 

[JustJason]

Re: Do we really need to change the oil?

That actually sounds like a fun topic for DC.... It's your idea so do you want to start it or should I?

 

[boatguya1]

Re: Do we really need to change the oil?

That actually sounds like a fun topic for DC.... It's your idea so do you want to start it or should I?

DC? what is that?

James

 

[boatguya1]

Re: Do we really need to change the oil?

Ah, dockside chat, I've not explored much of iboats, just here and answered a few outboard questions.

Be my guest.....

James

 

[jaxnjil]

Re: Do we really need to change the oil?

just take that one quart out and leave the other four.

 

[Howard Sterndrive]

Re: Do we really need to change the oil?

If the customers did it, you don't need to change it. Just be honest and say you don't know the effects... might be fine... or it might swell up some seals and cause leaks...or it might plug the oil filter a bit....or it might just sneak by the oil control ring and burn itself off without issue.... dunno...up to you Mr. Customer.

 

[Gary H NC]

Re: Do we really need to change the oil?

just take that one quart out and leave the other four.

Now that was funny....

 

[Don S]

Re: Do we really need to change the oil?

Maybe we need a "stupid questions boaters ask" thread but this may not be the appropriate forum for that.

James

We have one James, it's called Stupid Human Tricks While Boating/Fishing

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Do we really need to change the oil?

Twice this week I've been told by friends about their engines and oil issues. One with a new pressure washer and another with a new, nearly $600 lawn mower. Neither one put oil in the engine before using it and obviously both destroyed perfectly good engines. One is a teacher for gosh sakes and you would think he would have at least cruised through the manual. The other is retired Insurance Co. Director. For heavens sake every small engine I see these days has a tag on the fuel tank that says "Add Oil - Engine shipped without oil". What is so difficult to comprehend about this. Some years ago I was behind a dude checking out at Home Depot with a new LawnBoy two-stroke mower and one quart of oil (four stroke no less). I casually asked him if that was a two-stroke mower he bought (it said two stroke in big print right on the box). He gave me a very reassuring "Yup". I then asked if the 4-stroke oil was for that mower. Again I got a confident "yup". You can see where this is going right? I did explain that he needed two-stroke oil but he had no clue. I would have loved to see what he did with the oil when he got home because 32:1 probably meant nothing to him. Sorry that this is not boat related but it is an example of how people kill boat engines -- they generally don't wear out.

 

[IVAZ]

Re: Do we really need to change the oil?

Some people do moronic things to equipment because they have no concept of how they work. If you don?t know the stress an engine takes, you also won?t care if it has all the proper fluids.
My mother-in-law is one of those people that think all a car needs is gas.

 

[coastalcruiser]

Re: Do we really need to change the oil?

Some years ago I was behind a dude checking out at Home Depot with a new LawnBoy two-stroke mower and one quart of oil (four stroke no less). I casually asked him if that was a two-stroke mower he bought (it said two stroke in big print right on the box). He gave me a very reassuring "Yup". I then asked if the 4-stroke oil was for that mower. Again I got a confident "yup". You can see where this is going right? I did explain that he needed two-stroke oil but he had no clue.

Dude, Do you remember not knowing the difference between 2 and 4 stroke engines? did someone teach ya? or were you born with that knowlege huh?

 

[FreeBeeTony]

Re: Do we really need to change the oil?

Why bash the customer? They came to you (a profesional) and asked for advice. I think it would have been better to explain the differences between the (2) oil's purposes (educate the kid somewhat) so he could make an educated decision on his own.

Just my take on it...........

 

[danond]

Re: Do we really need to change the oil?

Why would there be a "get out of knowing the basics" card for boats? No excuse for not knowing what kind of oil it takes, or that the wrong kind of oil is...well, wrong.