How to Change Lower Unit Oil in Pontoon Boat

If the lower unit oil in your pontoon boat isn't change until spring you risk damaging your boat. Water can get in the lower unit in the summer and freeze and expand over the winter causing damage to your shaft seals if it's allowed to sit all winter. Remedy this potential problem by changing your oil in the fall before storing your boat for the winter.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Bucket
• Rags

1. Drain your existing oil properly. Place a large bucket under the oil unit and remove the bottom screw. The oil will begin to drip out slowly.

2. Loosen the top screw slowly. Let the oil fall out until it slows down. Once the oil slows down, remove the top screw completely

3. Let the oil continue to empty for at least 15 minutes. Take a break, clean your boat windows or vacuum the boat while the oil is emptying to pass the time.

4. Place your new tube of oil into the bottom screw opening. Begin filling up the oil tank from the bottom by squeezing the tube of oil. Old oil residue will rise to the top and come out through the top opening. Let this flush out for three to five seconds to ensure all the old oil is removed.

5. Replace the top screw and tighten it. Make sure you tighten it firmly so it doesn't become loose when the boat is running.

6. Remove the oil tube from the bottom and replace the bottom screw last. Do this quickly to ensure that very little oil leaks out the bottom. Do these steps every fall when you change your boat oil and you'll prolong the life of your lower unit on your pontoon boat.

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