Oil change in spring?

[john6206]

Hey everyone,

Getting ready for haul out and laying up the boat for the winter.
Have a Westerbeke Diesel.

When I changed my oil in the spring, a friend told me that Fall would be much better … something about condensation maybe?
Im just curious about how much difference it makes, because suddenly I’m working a lot of hours and I‘m having trouble just moving the boat to winter storage and hauling out - I’m thinking non essential projects are being moved to April.

If it’s important to do it in fall, I‘ll probably have to have the boat yard do it.

Thanks,

John

 

[Rich Stidger]

I have always changed the oil and filter in the fall. I've been told that when the change is in the fall, the old oil with its contaminates and acids will be removed and the engine will sit with clean oil.

However, if the alternative is to pay a boat yard their exorbitant rates to do a simple oil change, then I would leave it for the spring. But going forward, I would definitely plan to do it in the fall.

 

[LakeOntario270]

In the classic car world you always store a car with clean oil. Used oil contains acids that will eat away at your bearings all winter long.

 

[Stu Jackson]

You could do it in mid-summer when yu can schedule the time to DIY. This way your oil will only be half-dirty for the winter.

 

[LakeOntario270]

I use a vacuum pump to suck the oil out of my Westerbeke, it takes a whole 20 minutes to do. I change the filter every other year since I only put 10 hours a season on it. The filter sits on it side so half of the oil drains drains into the pan.

 

[kappykaplan]

I have always changed the oil and filter in the fall.

you always store a car with clean oil.

to both.