when to service motor

I was always on the service immediately before storage team , but am questioning the wisdom of that mindset now . I like to fish well past when is sensible and end up doing oil changes in the snow and cold . I am wondering if it makes more sense to do it now while it is warm and just recheck the gear oil at the end just to be safe . This would mean the oil in the crankcase would be slightly contaminated from use, and would winter over in the engine and gear case , would that be ok ?
Thanks for your input

I change mine in the fall and again in the spring, because I had an issue with a base gasket allowing water into my crank case. It was fixed under warranty but now I do 2 changes per year simply to inspect the oil. Peace of mind doesn’t cost much

Since water settles to the bottom I have on occasion cracked the bottom lower unit plug after it sits for a few days or weeks to see what comes out. If pure oil I feel safe leaving it alone.

cheers wrote:

I am wondering if it makes more sense to do it now while it is warm and just recheck the gear oil at the end just to be safe . This would mean the oil in the crankcase would be slightly contaminated from use, and would winter over in the engine and gear case, would that be ok

It makes no difference when you change oils and fluids, as long as you change them. Oil that has been in use is not “contaminated”, it’s just been subjected to the normal combustion processes that it will be regardless of time of year. Sooner or later the engine will have used oil sitting in the sump, so whether that’s in December or July makes no difference.

IMO guys worry way, way, way too much about engine oil. Run good oil, change it at recommended intervals, you’re good.

I also think the “risk” of getting water in the lower unit oil is overthought. If you have a leak that is bad enough to allow a significant amount of water IN, then how did you not notice that big oil stain under the lower unit from oil leaking OUT? All lower unit gear oil has tiny amounts of water in it from condensation due to temp changes. That doesn’t hurt anything, the gears and bearings are so coated with oil that there’s no way corrosion will take hold.

Do the maintenance when it’s convenient for you.

TheFamousGrouse wrote:

<div class=”d4p-bbt-quote-title”>cheers wrote:</div>
I am wondering if it makes more sense to do it now while it is warm and just recheck the gear oil at the end just to be safe . This would mean the oil in the crankcase would be slightly contaminated from use, and would winter over in the engine and gear case, would that be ok

It makes no difference when you change oils and fluids, as long as you change them. Oil that has been in use is not “contaminated”, it’s just been subjected to the normal combustion processes that it will be regardless of time of year. Sooner or later the engine will have used oil sitting in the sump, so whether that’s in December or July makes no difference.

IMO guys worry way, way, way too much about engine oil. Run good oil, change it at recommended intervals, you’re good.

I also think the “risk” of getting water in the lower unit oil is overthought. If you have a leak that is bad enough to allow a significant amount of water IN, then how did you not notice that big oil stain under the lower unit from oil leaking OUT? All lower unit gear oil has tiny amounts of water in it from condensation due to temp changes. That doesn’t hurt anything, the gears and bearings are so coated with oil that there’s no way corrosion will take hold.

Do the maintenance when it’s convenient for you.

This…I change once a year as my fishing season is ending. Usually in December. Stay consistent in your maintenance and you’ll be fine.