Oil change opinion extremely low usage of boat ,frequency/hours (not an oil thread)

[crazy charlie]

To start,I am going to change oil in both engines after haul.5.0lx mercruisers with alpha drives.Last season I ran boat total of 1 1/2 hours so I didnt change oil.We used our Regal as a beach house every weekend .Used her as beach house again this season.Less than 2 hours run time again.Oil is still so clean that I can hardly see it on dipstick. I WILL NOT but who would go another season without an oil change???? We did all our boating with our Mako....Just curious Charlie

 

[bman440440]

if it was me I would change every year (or 100 hours and in my case its 2-3 times a year because of how much I use my boat)... cheap insurance to help keep a high $ item on your boat tip top... now I'm sure that your oil is still fine... but why risk it?

 

[alldodge]

I wouldn't change it, and hope at least once a year your running long enough to get it up to operating temp

 

[crazy charlie]

Yup,let engines idle several times during the season engaging in fwd and reverse each time.

 

[stonyloam]

Yeah, what Charlie said, but if you keep the boat in the water and pull it out in the fall, I would pull the props off and grease the shafts at least once a year (2-4-C grease).

 

[ondarvr]

Yup,let engines idle several times during the season engaging in fwd and reverse each time.

Idling doesn't bring it up to operating temperature in the same way as running it at speed for an hour. The moderate warming and cooling from periodic idling doesn't evaporate off the condensation that can build up inside the motor, and may increase the amount of moisture. This may be worse than leaving it off the entire year.

 

[Rick Stephens]

Risk is water contamination in your oil. Chemical reactions break down the oil and water. One of the byproducts is acids that can pit or corrode components. Hence the once a year recommendation.

 

[Scott Danforth]

Exactly what Rick stated. The second you fired up the motor once.... The oil starts to turn acidic from moisture and other combustion byproducts and will eat the viper and zinc from the bearings. Oil change once a year at a minimum.

Change oil, don't change oil, it's your choice. However if it was me, I would change the oil and I'm a cheapskate

 

[Bondo]

(not an oil thread)

Ayuh,..... It sure looks like it could turn into an Oil Thread,......

Btw,...... I'm with AD,...

 

[KJM]

personally i'd change it once a year for what it costs, you could probably leave the oil filter if it isn't rusted. a car dealer once told me if oil changes aren't going to be regular then its better to use synthetic oil as it holds up better for longer times.......just repeating what I heard, not sure if its true.

 

[crazy charlie]

I would comment on the synthetic statement made to you but I promised "not an oil thread" ....

 

[Rick Stephens]

I would comment on the synthetic statement made to you but I promised "not an oil thread" ....

LOL

 

[Mule Laker]

Once a year? Okay, but that should be before the long time storage, not in the spring.

 

[crazy charlie]

Funny thing,I mentioned this exact statement years ago because i had read it in the manual and Don was all over me about it.Go figure...Charlie

 

[Mischief Managed]

Oil contains buffers that neutralize acids. Don't change it unless it has water or gas in it, otherwise it's fine.

 

[enginesilo]

I've always wondered this as well. I put maybe 20 hours a year on my engine and it's always a shame because the oil I pump out still looks so clean, but I always change it anyways. Drive oil too.

 

[Lou C]

Take off the oil cap and look on the back side of it. If you see a milky emulsion I would change it. Also when you pull the boat out even though it was not used Id pull the drain plug on each drive just briefly to check for water.