Changing Your Boats Engine Oil

   It has often been said that the best way to help your car last a long time is to change your engine oil and filter on a regular, recommended basis. Your boat engine, whether it be an inboard, stern drive or outboard, is no different. In fact, your boat's oil should actually be changed more frequently. You can bring your boat to the local dealer to do it, but in many cases, you can save time and money by following these steps and doing it yourself.

   Discover Boating provides the following:

   "Just like cars, boats need to have their oil changed. Four-stroke outboards, inboards and stern drive boats require regular oil changes. The frequency will vary by model but a good rule of thumb is to change the oil every 100 hours of operation or once a year.

  Unfortunately, there aren't any quick change oil shops for boats, so you either have to change your boat’s oil yourself or take it to your local dealer. Luckily, changing the oil in your boat’s engine is easy and can be done quickly with the right tools.You’ll need an inexpensive oil extractor pump that removes the oil via the dipstick tube. Also, an oil wrench and enough rags to catch the normal drips. As added protection against messy oil, it’s a great idea to put an absorbing pad under the engine, particularly near the oil filter.

Step 1 – If your boat is in the water, start the engine to warm it up. If your boat is on a trailer, you’ll need to supply cooling water to the water intake at the gearcase. Do this by placing what mechanics nic-named “earmuffs” over the water intakes. Earmuffs consist of two suction cups on a V-shaped piece of tubing. A hose fitting at the Vee supplies water to the engine. Outboards and some sterndrives have special hose fittings for this purpose."

Read the full article and steps here:

Maintenance: Change Your Oil

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