What's your favorite oil change pump

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Oct 29, 2010
136
Hunter 36 Pensacola
Before I invest in a my first do it yourself oil change, I was wondering what the best pump was to do the job. I know they have the 12V electrics vs manual. Any favorites? Also, the boat is WAY overdue for a change. I just bought the boat and the PO told me it had been 5 years, but the engine ( Yanmar 2QM20H ) runs like a champ. I have read that I should change the oil then run it for a while and then change the oil again. Any thoughts on this and how long I should run the engine between changes. I was thinking changing the oil twice would be enough, and then change it every 25hrs. I know 25 hours seems like over doing it but I used to work at an oil change place and I believe that the oil is the life blood of the engine and will extend the life of the engine.

thanks,
Tony
 
Aug 21, 2006
203
Pearson 367 Alexandria, VA
I agree with Maine Sail

http://shop.sailboatowners.com/google/custom.htm?vp=186008

Wonderful device...

Note: My unit fell from a very high shelf in the garage this season cracking the tank... I contacted Moeller about replacement parts and I was told that they had lost the rights to the design (no details) and that West Marine now has exclusive rights to the product... I am not sure what all that means... I was able to find it on the shelves at our local West Marine and it is on their web site.

http://www.westmarine.com/webapp/wc...toreNum=10106&subdeptNum=10434&classNum=10440

Garner
 
Feb 10, 2004
4,134
Hunter 40.5 Warwick, RI
Well, this will probably be a vote for whatever each of us are using, but I have used the MVP Topsider pump for 13 years. I have never spilled a drop of oil and it is quick and easy. However, after seeing the Moeller pump I would probably buy that one for it's see-thru sides. That way you can see how much oil is being extracted and will know if you are getting it all out.

The Jabsco electric looks nice, but is larger, heavier, and a bit over-kill for just one auxiliary. I have a powerboat friend who has twin Detroit diesels and his oil change for both engines is measured in MANY gallons, not quarts. If I were pumping 10+ gallons, I would probably have a Jabsco pump also.

Whatever you decide upon, make sure that it has an adequate capacity. I have an auxiliary and a generator that hold 11 quarts in total. I dump between each engine, but the smallest Moeller doesn't look like it would cut it for my auxiliary alone.
 
Sep 19, 2009
23
Hunter 29.5 Honolulu
The PO for my boat gave me a drill operated pump when I purchased my boat. For some reason it didn't work. I started looking around for a replacement but everything was in the $30 to $60 range. I was at Walmart one day and discovered a manual pump for $10. I bought it to see if it worked and it did. It's probably not as efficient as a more expensive one but it works none the less. It still only takes about 30 min to pump all of the oil out. I figure that the extra time is worth the money I saved and plus it's more time I get to spend on my boat :)
 
Jan 1, 2006
7,585
Slickcraft 26 Sailfish
I've used the Moeller many times and find it easy and effective. It doesn't even require all that much pumping for a typical auxillary. After most the oil is out it continues to draw and you can move the tube around in the crankcase to find more oil. No power hookups, drills etc. Its easy.
 
Jun 2, 2004
5,802
Hunter 37-cutter, '79 41 23' 30"N 82 33' 20"W--------Huron, OH
Another vote for Moeller. One of my criteria was size since I keep it in a locker on the boat. I also use one of the larger tubes in the diesel tank. I can get it right down on top of the pickup tube to see if any "crap" has formed there. I go in through the gauge hole. Then I put the diesel back in the tank through my filtered funnel.
 

KD3PC

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Sep 25, 2008
1,069
boatless rainbow Callao, VA
I have the Moeller and have used it on the boat, the HD, several cars and tractors...no problem with any of them...I have taken a mailing tube and put an absorbent pad in the bottom to store the tubes

They say not to store it upside down...not sure why..but I don't...
 
Oct 29, 2010
136
Hunter 36 Pensacola
Thank you for all the replies. I guess the moeller is what I will go with. Shemandr I like the idea of being able to get the open end around to all of the spots in the crankcase.
 
Oct 22, 2005
257
Hunter 44DS Redondo Beach, CA
One comment on the electric jabsco, it pumps in both directions. After the second time of accidentally switching the switch in the wrong direction, I drilled a hole in the switch guard and put a bolt in blocking the switch from going to the "pump out" position.
 
Dec 2, 1999
15,184
Hunter Vision-36 Rio Vista, CA.
I also agree with Maine Sail. I also think you can find the same unit marketed under different labels.

The unit that Rich mentioned is also great, but we do not need to have such a "high tech" unit.

As far as changing oil every 25 hrs, that would be like changing the oil in your car every 1000 miles. I think that most owners use 100 to 200 hrs or annually as the change cycle.
 

RAD

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Jun 3, 2004
2,330
Catalina 30 Bay Shore, N.Y.
I have the Jabsco Porta -Quick and it takes me less than 10 min to do an oil change and empty the old oil back into the quart containers because sometimes I cannot find 1 gallon containers that meet my oil spec. and I also punch a hole in the sideways mounted filter and insert the hose into it before removing from the engine for a minimal mess.
I split the cost of this unit with a friend and its served both of us well for the last 6 yrs
 

Alan

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Jun 2, 2004
4,174
Hunter 35.5 LI, NY
Gravity.

Fortunately I don't need to have a pump. I just pull the drain plug and let gravity do the rest. No mess no fuss and no hoping I got it all out cause gravity works everywhere.
 
Jan 7, 2011
29
Hunter 30 Solomons, MD
I am using the Moeller on a Yanmar 2GM20 with very tight access. I cannot see the dipstick and work by feel. The Moeller tube goes in easily and the seems to suck out all of the oil.
So far, so good.
 
Sep 26, 2008
566
- - Noank CT.
I am of the keep it simple school and like the jabsco hand pumps and pump it out and into a container so it can be recycled with as little handling as possible. I also like because it is mulpile use in that can be used for oil change,fuel transfer even a manual bilge pump.Also compact to store. It only takes one minute to pump oil out and is very reliable. One trick to all oil pumps is to heat the oil up before changing it, also vent the engine by taking off the oil fill cap. I would suggest that you change oil every 100 hours or once a year minimum. Best recommendation is the manufactures sechedule for service. I think if you are so inclinded cutting maintance secedules in half could never hurt. 25 hours seams premature unless running under very severe conditions (not likely for you sailboat engine). I would agree since yours has not been changed in a very long time you will want to change it twice, My suggestion is run it at least five hours normal use then change again. Don't forget oil filter every time you change the oil.

http://www.nextag.com/Jabsco-Handy-Boy-Hand-536757677/prices-html
 
Nov 8, 2009
537
Hunter 386LE San Fancisco
I have a drill pump that works well. I also have a manual pump with its own container like the others describe. Both are available on-line or through W-M. Changing oil and filter is easy. I change them annually at ~50 hours.
 
Sep 26, 2008
566
- - Noank CT.
Another thought came to mind and if the former owner has not changed the engine oil in 5 years he probably never changed the transmission either .....may want to change that also.
 
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