Cheapest way to change oil?

[Bad Obsession]

I just bought a new-to-me sailboat. I have always had outboards on my boat before so this causes me to spawn this question. What is the cheapest way to change my oil? I don't have any of the tools to do this. I have a Universal MX25 and I know that it doesn't have an oil plug. That means that I have to get a tool to remove the oil through the area where the dipstick goes in. The only marine store that I have access to is West Marine and I want to change my oil before I transport my boat home.....Does anyone have the economic solution for this?F.Y.I. As it stands now I am intimidated enough by this task that I have scheduled the marine yard to do this.

 

[Bill]

Oil Boy Hand Pump...

WM has an Oil Boy hand pump kit that will do it. Let the motor run for a few to get the oil viscous first (just like you would a car). The filter is replacable (use a filter wrench or a strap clamp)with one from Napa for about half the price of a "Universal" one (all oil filters are made by only a few companies, then have different labels put on them). Voila...The Oil Boy will cost you about $50. New filter- $8. then the cost of the oil.B

 

[tigerregis]

Jabsco

The Jabsco oil pump(thru the dipstick access) is available and works fine. It is manual and is widely used.

 

[Paul F]

PELA 2000

I recommend the Pela 2000 Oil Extractor. It is small, easy to store and gets the oil out without spilling a drop. Check the link for more info.

 

[Stu Jackson]

M25 Oil Change

You wrote: I have a Universal M25 and I know that it doesn't have an oil plug. That means that I have to get a tool to remove the oil through the area where the dipstick goes in."The M25 does have a nut in the bottom of the pan. One reason lots of people don't use it is because it's at the bottom and hard to use. Most Catalinas with M25s came with a hose connected to the bottom of the oil pan.I just bought (made up) an adapter (from a hardware store) that fits into the plug at the end of this hose into the intake hose of a Par Handy Boy pump. I connect th pump to the hose and pump out the old oil. Used to do the dipstick, but the hose to go into the dipstick is so narrow that it takes a while to get the oil out.

 

[shorty]

Oil Boy

I'll second that. WM had the oil boy on sale last year for $30. It works great. Clean, self contained, fast.

 

[Carl12422]

Oil boy for me too

Very easy to use.. works great..

 

[AXEL]

Jasco Drill pump.....

I've used the hand pumps and don't like them. If you use one you will see exactly what I mean. The oil is very thick and when you pull up on the hand pump, there is a lot of drag, air bubbles, and little oil. I switched over to using the Jasco Drill pump a couple of years ago and love it. WM sells it for about $30. You attach it to you electric power drill (cordless drills don't have high enough rpm). I stick one end of the pump down the dip stick hole and the other in an empty plastic gallon milk container. It pumps all the oil out in about 5 minutes or less right down to where I'm sucking up fumes. Very easy to use, one hand operation. The beauty here is you push in that little button on the drill that lets you take your hand off the trigger. Just lay the drill on the floor. Now you can concentrate on making sure the two hoses (in/out) remain in proper position.Prior to running the engine (heating up the oil) slightly losen the oil filter, they have a tendency to tighten up when hot. If you can, I suggest you buy your replacment filter from Universal. I was told by a Westerbeke tech that the oil pressure rating is higher than generic (Fram) type filters.

 

[Phil]

oil boy

Oil boy I'll quadruple that.

 

[Don s/v Tellico]

Little different opinion

West has their own version that's a plastic jug with a handpump - link below. It's the best $40 I ever spent - and I don't always buy West, but this one is good. None of the other methods even come close, and I've tried them all.Never used the Oil Boy version, but the West one works great.

 

[BarryL]

oil boy

Another vote for the oil boy.Just be sure to bring plenty of rags with you. Also, it's a great idea to put some disposable diapers under the oil filter. You WILL spill some oil, so be ready for it with the diapers and it's no big deal.As previously mentioned, run the engine for at least five minutes before changing the oil, otherwise the oil will be too thick.It will take 10-15 minutes for all the oil to get sucked out of the pan, so don't rush. You will hear a sucking sound when the oil pan is empty. When all the oil is out of the engine, you will need to empty the small hose. That will take some time to drain, and it will leak old oil for a long time so have a plastic bad to place it in. Last point (I promise). You will need an old jug to pour the waste oil into. I use old plastic gallon orange juice containers. My local auto parts place takes back waste oil.And don't forget to all new oil and to not overfill it.Good luck,Barry

 

[PHitchcox]

Another vote for Oil Boy

Have to add my vote; good to see so many; its a very simple system, though a tad messy. Somehow you simply pump it up, leave it for ten minutes, and you'll hear the sucking sound as it finishes its job. Maybe pump again and get the last dregs out of the bottom. Very impressive for the job it does.

 

[Monty Miller]

Oil Boy tips

Run the engine for a few minutes to warm the oil. If you remove the oil filler cap the oil will suck out faster. Suck up a cup of hot water with dish soap after you finish and the hose will not drip oil all over the place. Poke a hole in the bottom of the oil filter with a screwdriver and let it drain into a container before you unscrew it. No mess.

 

[Liam]

Thanks Monte

Those are really great tips!