Oil Change Question

[runningm01]

I would like to get some opinions on the following:

I changed my oil in he fall but due to the fact that we have long winters (boat is winterized for 7-8 months) I want to change my oil again this spring. Question: Should I run the boat up to temp (running oil through the motor that has been sitting in their all winter) and then change the oil or try and drain it cold and change it before I start it for the first time this spring?

[Zach@n3]

Oil has a shelf life of 2 years or so you should be fine.

[s_kelley2000]

I agree that if it was changed in the fall you should be good to go. That's what I have been doing for years. If you want to change it I would recommend starting it first and getting up to temp otherwise it will take forever to drain/pump out the cold oil.

[Zach@n3]

+1^^

[scottb7]

I would not bother to change it again!!! You don't have to...Be reminded that every manual says change before lay up....No manual says to change again.

[runningm01]

Thanks! So this brings up another question. . . I used an automotive filter for a Ford 351 when I changed it in the fall (thinking that I was going to change it again in the spring and would use a marine filter at that time). Should I just put the marine filter on now and top off the oil?

[Zach@n3]

No, I always ran FL1-A Motorcraft filters until I worked here. That, of course, is as long as it isn't Fram Garbage.

[shag]

+1 for Fram garbage. I pay extra (might not need to) and get a good quality filter.

[Zach@n3]

I feel like K and N and Royal Purple filters are overkill but I stick with a Wix if it is convenient. Another note, O'reilly Microguard Filters are manufactured by Fram as well. (not that anyone would consider that on their baby)

[runningm01]

It's a Napa Gold 1068. . .

[AirTool]

I'm not sure there is such a thing as a "marine filter"....maybe one labeled by a marine parts supplier.

Note on crappy filter. Now...let me say first that I know filter media has improved every year since before I was born. When I started as an equipment engineer....I spec'd out a few process filters and wow there is some technolgy in filtering.

Having said that, I picked up an AC filter for my Chevy trucks the other day and it felt like it was empty. There was no weight to it at all and the thickness of the filtering section appeared to be about 1/4" thick. In other words....the open space inside the filter was huge and the filter element very thin..

So I put them back and switched my two chevy's to wix. I run wix on my pcm. I run motorcraft on my two ford trucks.

[s_kelley2000]

It's a Napa Gold 1068. . .

Pretty sure Wix still makes the Napa Gold filters so you are golden hehe. Get the boat in the water and start having fun!

[runningm01]

Thanks! I wish we could get it in the water but it was in the low 20's this morning so we still have some time.

[2001SAN]

I feel like K and N and Royal Purple filters are overkill but I stick with a Wix if it is convenient. Another note, O'reilly Microguard Filters are manufactured by Fram as well. (not that anyone would consider that on their baby)

I use K&N. I like overkill!

D.

[scottb7]

Pretty sure that if you change the oil every 50 hours, then none of us will ever live long enough to know if it mattered to engine longevity what filter is used. I personally go on the pretty cheap side.