How to Change Boat Motor Oil
Changing your boat's motor oil can be more of a hassle than changing your car engine oil, depending on the type of boat motor you have. Placement, or the absence, of an oil pan plug is one difficulty. Another consideration is the placement of the oil filter, which can be vertically positioned (gasket side up), at an angle, horizontal or vertically with the opening or gasket side facing downward, making removal messy. Most boat motor manufacturers recommend changing the oil after every 100 hours of use or each season. Read your manual before attempting any maintenance.
Other People Are Reading
Things You'll Need
- Oil
- Oil filter
- Rags
- Plastic bag
- Tin can
- Strap wrench
- Wrench or pliers
- Oil pump
- Shallow pan
- Bucket
- Gasoline or kerosene
Instructions
-
-
1
Inspect your engine to determine if you have an oil pan plug and if it's accessible. If not, you'll have to use a pump to remove the oil through the dipstick tube. Also find your oil filter and note its position.
-
2
Start the engine and allow it to warm up for five minutes. This makes oil removal easier and ensures that dirt and debris is circulated into the oil for removal. Turn off the motor.
-
-
3
Place a shallow container, such as an aluminum roasting pan, under the oil pan and plug if you're going to drain the oil from the bottom. Add a piece of plywood under the pan to provide stability, and place oil-absorbent rags around it. Remove the plug with a wrench or pliers and allow the oil to drain.
-
4
Locate the oil filter and place a container under it. Use a strap wrench to loosen the filter, then remove it by hand. If you have an awkwardly placed filter, take measures to catch the oil, such as using a plastic bag or a tin can as you loosen the filter. You'll still need a pan on the ground to catch the most of the oil, but a plastic bag or can will minimize excess spillage by allowing you to catch oil as the filter is removed and quickly transferring the filter to the bag. Replace the plug.
-
5
Connect the oil pump to the dipstick tube if you can't drain the oil via the oil pan. Some dipstick tubes have outer threads to accommodate a pump hose; others require a different kind of pump that simply consists of a pick-up hose that is placed in the dipstick tube and down into the oil pan. In either case, after the hose is in place, use the pump handle to pump the oil from the engine and into a bucket or other container.
-
6
Clean the oil filter housing with gasoline or kerosene. Install a new oil filter. Refer to your owner's manual for model type. Use your finger to coat the gasket of the new filter. Tighten the filer snugly by hand, then use the strap wrench to tighten another half or three-quarter turn. Older engines may have gaskets that need to be removed and replaced.
-
7
Add new oil per the manufacturer's specifications, both for oil type and amount. Use a funnel if needed. Smaller engines may require only four quarts. Large V-8 engines may take seven quarts.
-
8
Wipe any excess oil from the engine. Start the engine and check the pressure. Look for any leaks around the filter or dipstick.
-
9
Cut the engine, let it cool for five minutes, then check the oil level on the dipstick. Add more oil if required.
-
1
Tips & Warnings
Check your dipstick tube to determine what type of pump you may need--threaded or un-threaded--and tube size. If your tube is un-threaded, you may want to purchase a larger hose for the pump if it will fit more snugly into your dipstick tube and create a better vacuum for easier removal of oil.
Dispose of used oil at a certified disposal site.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit boat image by pearlguy from Fotolia.com
