April, 2021 | Outboard Motor Oil

A Guide to Changing Oil in Your Boat

Changing the oil on your boat’s outboard engine is just as important as changing the oil in your car. The same rules apply here as well – the more frequently you change your boat’s engine oil, the better it is for you. Oil is the life and blood of your boat’s engine, which is why you should ensure that it is topped up at all times. Neglecting the engine oil within your boat can cause significant damage to the engine and may even leave you with a stranded boat in the middle of nowhere. Engine oil change is even more important if your boat has not been used during the winters. Residual acids and the moisture left in your engine and crankcase during the winter season can destroy vital engine components and can even pit open your bearings. This is one reason why we recommend that you change your boat’s engine oil immediately after a long engine layup. Let us take you through the oil change process for a typical boat engine. Read through to ensure you’re on the same page.

As a rule of thumb, you should ensure that you change the engine oil in your boat after every 50 to 100 hours. The owner manual for your specific outboard engine will have the relevant details. The timings should be followed for both diesel and gasoline engines. If you have a new boat, we recommend that you change oil once after every 20 hours. This should be followed for the first 100 hours of your boat’s operation. Once your motor is old, it does not require as frequent oiling and lubrication as it requires when it is brand new.

The oil change procedure itself is fairly simple and does not require a lot of details. There are, however, a few things that you should keep in mind to achieve the best results. First off, you need to start by running the engine for a while. Once the engine has been on for a few minutes, you can shut it off and add the Mercury optimax oil. Have preparations in advance to collect the disposed of oil from the sump. Make sure you also oil the filter to help position it better in a prominent position. Once you have restarted your engine, you can allow it to circulate for over a minute. Do check for leaks immediately after adding oil to ensure proper results.

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Things to Check Before You Launch Your Boat

Heading to the sea on your boat is an experience of its own. Not only do you have to ensure that everything is in the correct order, but you also have to minimize the chances of failure at sea. In this article, we look at the necessary steps you need to take for the perfect boat ride at sea and minimize the chances of disruption. Start by looking at the bottom of your boat and ensuring that all propane connections are tight and aren’t pinched or chafed. Also, have a close look at the solenoid and stove to check their feasibility. You can get your head ready for action by removing the intake hose and adding some vinegar to it. The vinegar will help remove and dissolve the scale buildup within your hoses. This will eventually clear the passageways and allow for some amazing results. Also, inspect your electric pumps here and test the float switch. You should be able to tell if there is a leak on the bilge.

Check the batteries on your boat as well and make sure that they are charged up. The battery terminals should be inspected for possible signs of corrosion and you should look to eliminate them. Corrosion can be minimized and kept at bay through a thin coat of Vaseline on your battery terminals. Both ends of the battery cable should be tightened through a screw. The 12V system to the ground should be corrosion and shouldn’t have a poor connection. A poor connection here can cause electrical problems and fluctuations.

If you haven’t changed your engine oil, now is the time to do so. While you’re at it, test your motor as well and refuel it with some Evinrude oil as well. Check the hoses around the coolant for splitting or cracking. The fuel lines and the clamps should be in order to avoid heating. All filters should be checked and changed if needed. The water pump belts and the alternator for your engine should be adjusted. Check the coolant level and top it up if the need be. Also, remember to reinstall the impeller. Make sure that the packing from your stuffing box hasn’t dried out yet and that the rubber bellows for your engine are inspected closely. Items with a finite life should be replaced if there is wear and tear on them.

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