Winter oil changes pros vs. cons

[Kitchen363]

Its about that time of year when the boat will be tucked into the unheated detached garage for a few months.

Here's my question, Are there any pros vs. cons to changing your engine oil before winter storage vs. in the spring time?

I will change the lower unit gear oil here in the next couple of weeks. Because of the chance of water in the oil. I normally just go head and do the engine oil also.

Whats your thoughts on the oil change, I have a 2006 Mercury 90hp 4-stroke.

 

[skargo]

Re: Winter oil changes pros vs. cons

I change mine during winterization. There is probably condensation in the old oil and I would prefer not to have that sitting in my engine all winter.

 

[paultjohnson]

Re: Winter oil changes pros vs. cons

Dirty oil can be somewhat corrosive. get it out of there before storage.

 

[5150abf]

Re: Winter oil changes pros vs. cons

Ya, I have always heard that dirty oil is corrosive to, you need to do it anyways so why take the chance.

 

[paultjohnson]

Re: Winter oil changes pros vs. cons

Another thought on that... I collect my used oil in a pickle bucket. When it gets full I bring it to the recycle place. Sometimes there is dirty oil in that bucket for 6-9months or so.. I notice when I dump the oil out, there is always dirty black sediment in the bottom of the bucket.. Its like all the crap and contaminents settle out. Allot of it doesn't pour out with the dirty oil. It seems like it almost adheres to the bucket. Do ya suppose that same scenario could be happening in your crankcase ? You give your old oil all winter to settle out and form a silty goo in the bottom of your crankcase and the littlle nooks and crannies in your engine that hold oil. Then your new oil with its detergents start softening it all up and recircing some back thru your engine... I wanna get it out sooner then later. I think during boatin' season when your using your boat. more of the crap stays susspended in the oil Food for thought

 

[sethjon]

Re: Winter oil changes pros vs. cons

Another thought on that... I collect my used oil in a pickle bucket. When it gets full I bring it to the recycle place. Sometimes there is dirty oil in that bucket for 6-9months or so.. I notice when I dump the oil out, there is always dirty black sediment in the bottom of the bucket.. Its like all the crap and contaminents settle out. Allot of it doesn't pour out with the dirty oil. It seems like it almost adheres to the bucket. Do ya suppose that same scenario could be happening in your crankcase ? You give your old oil all winter to settle out and form a silty goo in the bottom of your crankcase and the littlle nooks and crannies in your engine that hold oil. Then your new oil with its detergents start softening it all up and recircing some back thru your engine... I wanna get it out sooner then later. I think during boatin' season when your using your boat. more of the crap stays susspended in the oil Food for thought

If the oil gets changed when it should it won't make a diiference when you change it. Of course if you could heat up the oil pan without starting the motor and then dropping it you would in fact get out a little more dirt but I doubt if it would be a major difference.

 

[paultjohnson]

Re: Winter oil changes pros vs. cons

If the oil gets changed when it should it won't make a diiference when you change it.

Thats the great thing about forums You get a varity of responses and a person can make thier own decisions. But the statement above makes NO sense to me...You are saying 2 different opposite things It Doesnt matter when you change it...As long as you change it when you should HUH ???
And you give no thoughts or reasoning for your statement.

 

[captkevin]

Re: Winter oil changes pros vs. cons

Change your oil as part of winterizing. That way if any problems are detected you have all winter to get it corrected. Agree with other you don't want to leave the old oil in there all winter.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Winter oil changes pros vs. cons

New oil is not corrosive. Old oil is. Therefore, change it before putting the engine to bed for winter layup. You have to do it in the spring anyway so why not do it now since you will be doing the drive anyway.