Winterizing without adding new oil until Spring?

[BRICH1260]

Is it harmful to your engine to put your boat(and engine) in storage for the winter without adding new engine oil? With all other winterization steps done, old oil pumped out, antifreeze added and pump impeller removed, is it OK to wait until spring before adding the new engine oil at that time. Just curious. Thanks.

 

[Don S]

Re: Winterizing without adding new oil until Spring?

It probably won't hurt anything, but why would you want to do it? Most people change the oil put new in, then run it to check for leaks and to circulate the nice clean oil into the rest of the engine.

 

[BRICH1260]

Re: Winterizing without adding new oil until Spring?

Just thought that it might be better to start the season off with fresh oil in the crankcase rather than have sit down in the oil pan for 6 months. Perhaps get a newer grade of oil, maybe better price, ect... by delaying the purchase for 6 months. Again, just thinking out loud.

 

[dypcdiver]

Re: Winterizing without adding new oil until Spring?

The main reason people tend to put new oil in is because contaminants buildup during use, allowing old oil to sit over 6 months can cause corrosion. However my main concern would be forgetting I had drained it and starting up without oil in the sump, think about it.

 

[pdgs]

Re: Winterizing without adding new oil until Spring?

Just thought that it might be better to start the season off with fresh oil in the crankcase rather than have sit down in the oil pan for 6 months. Perhaps get a newer grade of oil, maybe better price, ect... by delaying the purchase for 6 months. Again, just thinking out loud.

You're over thinking it. The oil you put in it may not be 6 months old on the shelf (maybe at West Marine prices) but it won't be any different in 6 months than it was when you put it in if you've taken care of the engine properly. Regarding newer grades or better prices. It won't amount to much more than hype and a few cents.

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Winterizing without adding new oil until Spring?

However my main concern would be forgetting I had drained it and starting up without oil in the sump, think about it.

Mine too.

 

[tpenfield]

Re: Winterizing without adding new oil until Spring?

Is it harmful to your engine to put your boat(and engine) in storage for the winter without adding new engine oil? With all other winterization steps done, old oil pumped out, antifreeze added and pump impeller removed, is it OK to wait until spring before adding the new engine oil at that time. Just curious. Thanks.

I would NOT drain oil out of an engine and leave it empty for any period of time. Think about it . . . nothing good can happen. The only things that I can think of happening are bad . . . Like starting the engine . . .

 

[Jeepster04]

Re: Winterizing without adding new oil until Spring?

We always change the oil out in the spring, never had any issues. We worry about the contaminants in the oil but would rather have fresh oil in the engines. Met a guy at the lake that says he changes his oil every 5 years.....