Quick Oil Q - 10w30 vs 30

[SV_IdleHour]

Westerbeke 10-2 diesel
I changed the oil at the end of last season from 10w30 to 30 weight (that’s what the marina had on hand) for winter layup.
Im planning to change it again, it’s in the 60s temp wise now, do I need to do it right away before launch or wait until it’s in the water in a few weeks?
Thanks all!

 

[sail sfbay]

Since the oil is fresh from the last season schedule your next oil change AFTER it is in the water so you can heat up the engine enough to reduce its viscosity and allow removing as much oil from the pan as you can by what ever method you chose, e.g., manual extractor pump (my choice from West Marine), electric pump, etc and then run the engine after you replace the oil. Then replace the oil with the engine manufacturer's recommended oil viscosity (in my case SAE 15W40, Delco 400 SDE, heavy duty diesel oil) and of course the oil filter. You might not need to replace the oil until the end of the season, depending on the number of hours yiu put on it OR follow your engine manual's recommedned oil changeout frequency. I replace oil and filter annually but then I only run it for 20 hours per year.

 

[Rich Stidger]

Perhaps straight 30W oil is recommended by Westerbeke for the temperatures you will be experiencing? If so, you could just change it at the end of the season.

 

[SV_IdleHour]

Thanks fellas—double checking and I’d rather run it until it’s warm to change the oil and wanted to be sure.