Fluid Change end of season or beginning????

[swancer]

Just curious when most are doing fluid changes on their boats? My local PCM certified shop says they typically do it at the beginning of the season, and this year I just said "OK" without asking questions. So now that the 2010 season is creeping closer to a reality I am going to tackle the fluid changes on my own. I have read all the threads on fluid types and procedures and am ready to tackle it on my own. . .

If there is anyone in the Birmingham area that is willing to walk me through it locally, that would be awesome. . . . I have my boat in a huge warehouse with water and cover, so you could bring yours over and we could knock out both of them.

Thanks all,
Rickey

[ffmedic74]

I actually am now doing the change at the beginning of the season due to condensation build up over the winter months.

[jmo]

Since I have to winterize for storage, I prefer to do it all at once, that way in the Spring all I have to do is put the impeller back in and I'm good to go. My understanding is you want to get the dirty oil out of the system before it sits there for months on end. ffmedic74 - Are concerned with condensation in the block building up and mixing with the oil and hence thats why you switch in the Spring?

[SkiTower]

Yep. There's two lines of thought: either get the crud out at the end of the season and let it sit fresh or get everything nice and ready right before you use it. I personally follow my dealer's recommendation and let it sit with fresh clean fluids (change it at the end of the season). This also allows them to winterize and change the oil in one trip instead of a trip to winterize and a trip to change the oil.

[swancer]

After some thought, I think I remember hearing my mechanic say the issue he has seen is with moisture build up in the oil over the winter. In Alabama our winters are not harsh and the boat is stored indoors, but there is still temperature swings which could be worse. It does not drop cold and stay cold, it is typically cold at night and mild during the day for the most part. I am pretty close to the mechanic so a trip at the end of the year and one at the beginning is no biggie.

Does PCM recommend end or beginning?

[xjay]

my mechanic also recommends at end of season, then a run through before it goes out

[DanielC]

I believe PCM recommends changing at the end of the season.
When the motor is running, it is making water, and other combustion byproducts that may be acidic. My belief is that these byproducts are far more harmful to an engine than plain distilled water, which condensation is. I also do fog each cylinder, through the spark plug hole, and tape the exhaust flap shut.
I guess if you were really picky, you could put new oil in, in the Fall, and change it again in the Spring.
I only have 2245 hours on my 1997 Ski, there is a possibility I am doing something right.

[wakeboard1]

Like mentioned above, I always change my fluids at the end of the season. My boat (1997 SAN) is stored indoors where there is no swing in temperature so no condensation can build up. As for the fluid changes, I always do everything myself. If you follow the owner's manual, the changes are really easy. Good luck!

[swancer]

I believe PCM recommends changing at the end of the season.
When the motor is running, it is making water, and other combustion byproducts that may be acidic. My belief is that these byproducts are far more harmful to an engine than plain distilled water, which condensation is. I also do fog each cylinder, through the spark plug hole, and tape the exhaust flap shut.
I guess if you were really picky, you could put new oil in, in the Fall, and change it again in the Spring.
I only have 2245 hours on my 1997 Ski, there is a possibility I am doing something right.

That makes sense to me. 2245 hours would be a good case in point as to why it makes sense as well.

Thanks. . . . .