oil change

[wflowe2]

I sail a 2008 Catalina 320. I winterized the boat yesterday and was going to change the oil. When I pulled the dipstick, it appeared that there was no oil in the engine (Yanmar) . I checked again and the reason that it looked empty was the oil was still as clear as the day I put it in and was hard to see on the dipstick. I sail on an inland lake and probably put less than 20 hrs in a season on the engine (pretty much to get in and out of the slip) so I'm wondering if there is a problem waiting another season before changing the oil ?

 

[Don S/V ILLusion]

You can't see the acidic components.

 

[Eddie7045]

With the contaminates that were caused by limited

use combined with condensation that accumulates over that much time I'd change it once a season. That clean looking oil is a good sign and you want to keep it that way.

 

[Warren Milberg]

Change the oil and filter at least once a year. Two quarts of oil and a filter probably cost around $15. This is cheap insurance to make a $10k engine last even longer....

 

[Paul F]

Adding 2 cents, I am going to synthetic diesel oil (Shell Rotella) for the yearly oil change. It only costs a little more and seems so much better than regular oil to sit in the engine for a year.

 

[arf145]

I'm with the others--celebrate your clean oil, and then change it and the filter out for new.

 

[Gunni]

When I pulled the dipstick, it appeared that there was no oil in the engine (Yanmar) . I checked again and the reason that it looked empty was the oil was still as clear as the day I put it in and was hard to see on the dipstick.

Wait until you see what the oil on the bottom of your pan looks like . Yanmar wants you to change the oil before you lay up, then briefly circulate it. Git'er done.

 

[Steve Dion]

Paul:

Be careful with changing to synthetic oil. I did this on a BMW transmission several years ago and ended up having to reseal it.

I am not sure that this would be the case but be aware.

 

[Paul F]

Thanks Steve, I will check with Yanmar. It is a new engine (2011). But, changing the type of oil can mess up the seals, thanks.

 

[bananabender56]

Synthetic oil tends to remove the build up of solids that can stop leaks. Removing these solids can then cause a leak on older engines.

 

[seadaddler]

I would change the oil at the end of the season after it's being doing it's job and let the new oil sit all winter and ready to go in the spring with new oil.
Nick

 

[Ray Bowles]

After your engine has set without running for a week or so the solids that were suspended in the oil from running settle out and build up on the bottom of the pan. Hence, very clean oil when you check it next time.
Always run your engine until it reaches full temp before draining to change. This drains the suspended solids, acids and moisture rather than leaving it on the bottom of the engine.
I only use synthetic oil in gas or diesel engines if it is a new engine. I break the engine in on regular oil until the first change and then use synthetic oil from then on. I have done this on our farm equipment and vehicles.
Ray