Actual Boating question - service times

[HBCraig]

I put about 20 hours on my 496 HO last year. Had the yearly service done in June, last trip was to Powell in August then I didnt go again.
Service was:
Pull and align drive
impeller
plugs
oil
filters

Usual stuff. I had some late season sensor issues that were fixed at the end of the last trip.

My question is: Does oil really go bad after 20 hours? Is my impeller due for a change again?

I dont mind doing it all, but I am curious as to your thoughts. Al Stoker has done all the stuff on my boat since day 1. He has treated me well and taken care of me.

What your take?

 

[fmo24]

I always change the impellor at the start of the season. Very cheap insurance. I normally change the oil as well just because. Oil after sitting may have moisture accumulated so that is another cheap insurance in my opinion.

 

[RitcheyRch]

I know mines an outboard but I change my impeller every other season. I would change the oil after it sitting.

 

[rivrrts429]

Oil doesn't go bad necessarily, it gets dirty. In the grand scheme of things oil is really cheap so I would always change it, regardless of hours, at the beginning of the season. For all the reasons mentioned already with moisture and anything loose that finds it's way to the pan sitting over winter.

Besides, when you have the boat serviced the tech may notice something that may have been missed on the last service.

Impeller always gets changed for the same reasons... Cheap insurance.

 

[milkmoney]

Outdrive dud 1 to the white courtesy phone. Here is ur boating info that you crave.

 

[FreeBird236]

I put about 20 hours on my 496 HO last year. Had the yearly service done in June, last trip was to Powell in August then I didnt go again.
Service was:
Pull and align drive
impeller
plugs
oil
filters

Usual stuff. I had some late season sensor issues that were fixed at the end of the last trip.

My question is: Does oil really go bad after 20 hours? Is my impeller due for a change again?

I dont mind doing it all, but I am curious as to your thoughts. Al Stoker has done all the stuff on my boat since day 1. He has treated me well and taken care of me.

What your take?

I've been doing the same thing for 5 years or so since the boat was new, I sometimes question if it's really necessary every year with only 20-25 hrs.

 

[dribble]

20 hours on oil is nothing. If you're going to change the oil it should be done at the end of the season. If you didn't, I wouldn't bother. Plugs at 20 hours is way overkill considering that they go about 2000 hours in cars. These engines do seem to eat plugs but I would say 60 or 70 hours is sufficient. I know a lot of people do the impeller every season. I do a lot of sac river boating (shallow and sandy) but I still get 2-3 seasons out of an impeller and when I change mine it is always in good shape. Can't say the same for the stock soft brass Merc housing (which was changed at about 80 hours with a stainless one from Hardin Marine). I did the inline filter at 60 hours and it didn't need it. The water separator filter is cheap so I do it every other year. I do the outdrive oil at least every other season (depending on hours) and the fluid always comes out looking and smelling like it did when it went in.

I do all my own work so I don't have to pay labor but I'm still not going to throw away money on unnecessary parts changing. I have never had a breakdown in any boat I've owned.

 

[RodnJen]

I put about 20 hours on my 496 HO last year. Had the yearly service done in June, last trip was to Powell in August then I didnt go again.
Service was:
Pull and align drive
impeller
plugs
oil
filters

Usual stuff. I had some late season sensor issues that were fixed at the end of the last trip.

My question is: Does oil really go bad after 20 hours? Is my impeller due for a change again?

I dont mind doing it all, but I am curious as to your thoughts. Al Stoker has done all the stuff on my boat since day 1. He has treated me well and taken care of me.

What your take?

Thanks for you recommendation for Al in another thread last year. I took my boat to him last year, great service good price.

20 hours on oil is nothing. If you're going to change the oil it should be done at the end of the season. If you didn't, I wouldn't bother. Plugs at 20 hours is way overkill considering that they go about 2000 hours in cars. These engines do seem to eat plugs but I would say 60 or 70 hours is sufficient. I know a lot of people do the impeller every season. I do a lot of sac river boating (shallow and sandy) but I still get 2-3 seasons out of an impeller and when I change mine it is always in good shape. Can't say the same for the stock soft brass Merc housing (which was changed at about 80 hours with a stainless one from Hardin Marine). I did the inline filter at 60 hours and it didn't need it. The water separator filter is cheap so I do it every other year. I do the outdrive oil at least every other season (depending on hours) and the fluid always comes out looking and smelling like it did when it went in.

I do all my own work so I don't have to pay labor but I'm still not going to throw away money on unnecessary parts changing. I have never had a breakdown in any boat I've owned.

I think this schedule actually makes more sense. I use to change the impeller and align the drive every other year. Do a minor sevice of oil change and filter changes yearly. BUT since I don't do my own work and I'm not all that skilled, I will choose to have Al do the whole thing each year just to be on the safe side. Especially since my boat is heading into it's 11th season.

 

[lakemadness]

Service after 20 hours? LOL. We can put more than 20 hours on our boat in a single weekend.

We change fluids once per season/year. Impeller I think is every season as well. Aligning the drive?... I don't believe we have ever done than that. But we don't have a high powered boat anymore. Have an I/O tri-toon and the cabin cruiser. Never had a single drive issue.

 

[Rivertoys]

20 hours on oil is nothing. If you're going to change the oil it should be done at the end of the season. If you didn't, I wouldn't bother. Plugs at 20 hours is way overkill considering that they go about 2000 hours in cars. These engines do seem to eat plugs but I would say 60 or 70 hours is sufficient. I know a lot of people do the impeller every season. I do a lot of sac river boating (shallow and sandy) but I still get 2-3 seasons out of an impeller and when I change mine it is always in good shape. Can't say the same for the stock soft brass Merc housing (which was changed at about 80 hours with a stainless one from Hardin Marine). I did the inline filter at 60 hours and it didn't need it. The water separator filter is cheap so I do it every other year. I do the outdrive oil at least every other season (depending on hours) and the fluid always comes out looking and smelling like it did when it went in.

I do all my own work so I don't have to pay labor but I'm still not going to throw away money on unnecessary parts changing. I have never had a breakdown in any boat I've owned.

This is very much in line with what I do also.

 

[copterzach]

Oil is cheap. But what do I know. My shit box is broke again.

 

[RiverDave]

I put about 20 hours on my 496 HO last year. Had the yearly service done in June, last trip was to Powell in August then I didnt go again.
Service was:
Pull and align drive
impeller
plugs
oil
filters

Usual stuff. I had some late season sensor issues that were fixed at the end of the last trip.

My question is: Does oil really go bad after 20 hours? Is my impeller due for a change again?

I dont mind doing it all, but I am curious as to your thoughts. Al Stoker has done all the stuff on my boat since day 1. He has treated me well and taken care of me.

What your take?

The only thing I'd be worried about is the impeller drying out and becoming brittle from sitting for a year out of water.

Other then that, I'd run it another season.

RD

 

[Sleek-Jet]

Shit builds up in the oil while it sits. Acids and other corrosive elements that are a byproduct of combustion and what not that react to moisture and humidity in the atmosphere. I'd change the oil pre-season at a minimum.

 

[djunkie]

The only thing I'd be worried about is the impeller drying out and becoming brittle from sitting for a year out of water.

Other then that, I'd run it another season.

RD

Agreed. I'd for sure put an impeller in it and run it.

 

[HALLETT BOY]

Every time I try to go 2 years on the impeller , I take it apart and it's cracked and ready to break. 1 year on the impeller , 1 year on the oil change , I use synthetic , plugs every year , filters every other year . and whatever breaks in between , like and outdrive ...

 

[HBCraig]

Thanks for the input guys. It is appreciated

 

[jetboatmatt]

It all depends on where you boat and how you boat!! Impellers are only good for a year or two. If your in sandy water it will wear out a lot quicker!! I do mine every other season and have never had a bad one come out!! I always push the boat out into the deep before starting! Oil needs to be clean and the viscosity needs to be good! Change every season to be sure!! And your good to go!! These new engines burn just like a car for the most part!! Little more wear do to the high RPMs but they are designed to run those. Plugs every 50 to 60..

 

[Wheeler]

Shit builds up in the oil while it sits. Acids and other corrosive elements that are a byproduct of combustion and what not that react to moisture and humidity in the atmosphere. I'd change the oil pre-season at a minimum.

This engines oil had about 5 hrs. on it then sat for a couple of years.

Changing your oil is cheap insurance.

 

[Classic Daycruiser]

First, what does your owners manual say, and is it still under warranty?

My Cessna aircraft needs an oil change every 100 hours, or once a year. We rebuild the engines after 2000 hours of use.

My boat is a 1985 Eliminator w/260hp Mercruiser (alpha drive). I've own it since new. I change the oil every 50 hours, along with the outdrive service. I have almost 900hrs on the boat w/ all original, except for having the outdrive resealed at 25 years, and the carburetor rebuilt at 500 hours. I use hobb hours on motor to figure out routine maintenance. I've gone 3 years without an oil change, and have had no issues. 50 hours seems to be a good # if you use your boat 15-20 hours a year.

If you start your engine without water, you will have to replace the impeller, as it does not take but a second to destroy an impeller with hot exhaust gas.

Batteries seem to be more of a problem for me, so I have a dual battery setup, and keep them topped off with a trickle charger, and stagger the battery replacement, so I always have a battery newer than two years old.

 

[Enen]

I change my drive oil every second trip. Changed the engine oil twice last season, and will change it whenever it starts to look dirty.
My boat is going to go in for service here shortly, and I am going to have plugs, air filters, fuel filters, impellers, drives torn down and gears physically inspected, possibly replaced if too worn.

 

[Runs2rch]

20 hours on oil is nothing. If you're going to change the oil it should be done at the end of the season. If you didn't, I wouldn't bother. Plugs at 20 hours is way overkill considering that they go about 2000 hours in cars. These engines do seem to eat plugs but I would say 60 or 70 hours is sufficient. I know a lot of people do the impeller every season. I do a lot of sac river boating (shallow and sandy) but I still get 2-3 seasons out of an impeller and when I change mine it is always in good shape. Can't say the same for the stock soft brass Merc housing (which was changed at about 80 hours with a stainless one from Hardin Marine). I did the inline filter at 60 hours and it didn't need it. The water separator filter is cheap so I do it every other year. I do the outdrive oil at least every other season (depending on hours) and the fluid always comes out looking and smelling like it did when it went in.

I do all my own work so I don't have to pay labor but I'm still not going to throw away money on unnecessary parts changing. I have never had a breakdown in any boat I've owned.

Same here. I am on Factory plugs still. 170hrs. The Hardin pump was the best mod for the money. What plugs are you running? Denso? Ngk?