End of Season oil changes?

[Fiat4Fun]

Curious what interval folks recommend for older Mercruiser 260 with Alpha One? One mechanic says yearly, other one says every 50 hours...... Different thoughts on a 1986 boat,,,,,, I assume doing the engine and outdrive at the same time is good practice, depending on what interval you buy into.......... Thoughts and opinions?

 

[tpenfield]

50 hours or 1 year, which ever comes first.

 

[alldodge]

I do my I/O and OB gear lube yearly no matter how many hours. Doesn't cost that much and also remove outdrive to check alignment and inspect

 

[Bondo]

Curious what interval folks recommend for older Mercruiser 260 with Alpha One? One mechanic says yearly, other one says every 50 hours...... Different thoughts on a 1986 boat,,,,,, I assume doing the engine and outdrive at the same time is good practice, depending on what interval you buy into.......... Thoughts and opinions?

Ayuh,..... I do both at seasons end, regardless the hours run,......
Fresh oil in the motor, so that there's no acids or other crap during the lay-up,.....
I do the drive, so that I Know there's no water in the case,....

 

[Pmt133]

If you do it at the end of the season you have all winter to address any issues you find. Always fun learning you have water in one of the oils the week you plan to launch.

 

[cyclops222]

Post # 4 is the most correct answer and reasons to change ...BOTH. Go for it.

 

[nola mike]

I always intend to do it at the end of the season, and then end up doing it right before I'm trying to launch.

 

[racerone]

Gear oil lasts more than 50 hrs.----Just make sure no water gets in there.----How many folks check / change differential oil every 50 hrs on the pick up truck ??

 

[alldodge]

How many differential's stay underwater most of there working life?

 

[tpenfield]

I always intend to do it at the end of the season, and then end up doing it right before I'm trying to launch.

Me 2 . . .

 

[Scott06]

Ayuh,..... I do both at seasons end, regardless the hours run,......
Fresh oil in the motor, so that there's no acids or other crap during the lay-up,.....
I do the drive, so that I Know there's no water in the case,....

This- if there's any water in the drive or leaks you got all winter to fix it.

If you do this the engine and drive will outlast the boat

 

[dingbat]

Have not changed the oil in my motor (outboard) going on 30 years now.
Have not pulled the drive for inspection in as many years.

I check for water in the lower unit as part of my inspection prior to putting the boat back in the slip in October. If the oil turns up moisture free at haul out in December, I have no problem running it until the next fall inspection.

 

[flashback]

I wait for the coldest day.

 

[Scott Danforth]

Never let oil that has contamination from the combustion process sit in a motor over winter

The acids that build up in the oil eats the bearings like termites eat soft wood

 

[racerone]

If no water gets in the gear oil it does not need to be changed every 50 hrs.----Truck differentials are vented to atmosphere.----Gearcases in good condition are sealed.