Change oil or not?

[lrdchaos]

I had my boat winterized in October of 2011. Due to having a baby the boat never ran in 2012, just stayed in the garage for the summer. I am taking it in to have the impeller/housing replaced along with the serpentine belt just as a precaution. Should I have the oil changed as well? I have heard it should be changed every year, but with zero run time it seems like a waste.

Thanks in advance.

 

[HT32BSX115]

Re: Change oil or not?

I had my boat winterized in October of 2011. Due to having a baby the boat never ran in 2012, just stayed in the garage for the summer. I am taking it in to have the impeller/housing replaced along with the serpentine belt just as a precaution. Should I have the oil changed as well? I have heard it should be changed every year, but with zero run time it seems like a waste.

Thanks in advance.

Howdy,

If they changed your oil when it was winterized in Fall 2011, change it next fall when you winterize............ the oil didn't go "bad" just sitting there!

Regards,

Rick

 

[Don S]

Re: Change oil or not?

The sterndrive oil needs changed as well if it wasn't done during winterization, along with pulling the drive and greasing the coupler splines.
That too is a yearly service and a lot cheaper than pulling the engine and replacing the coupler.

Matter of fact, if the winterization was nothing more than drain the cooling system, then you have fuel filters to check and replace too.

 

[lrdchaos]

Re: Change oil or not?

The last winterization included fuel filters and gear lube. I will have them pull the out drive and grease the splines though. Might as well have them check alignment since it has been a couple of years.

 

[HT32BSX115]

Re: Change oil or not?

FYI, Mercury suggests checking the alignment every year......(along with engine AND drive oil changes) Do those changes at the end of the season so it sits all winter with fresh oil in it.........