www.iFourWinns.com

I picked up one of these pumps from Boaters World to try out. I suspected it wouldn't be all that great, given the price, but figured what the heck since I was splitting the cost of it with my brother:

POS Oil Changer

Don't waste your money. In its defense, I think it was defective. The guy at the store warned me that it was slow. I let it run for 15-20 minutes and it only sucked the oil up about a 1/2 inch up the line. I read the directions again, and it said it should take only about 5 minutes.

So, anyone have an opinion on using the tube that is on the end of the drain plug and runs out of the bilge drain hole? I'm contemplating just using this, but I've been told it is VERY slow and the oil only trickles out. My previous boat was built in the early 1970's, before they thought of things like this.

Someone who has used this please help me out. I'd like to know whether I should seriously look into some other pump.

Thanks.

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Paul
2007 Four Winns Horizon 220
Mercruiser 350 Mag MPI w/ Bravo III Drive
2004 Ford Explorer Limited (V8-AWD)
Pomme de Terre Lake (Southwest Missouri)

I bought a Tempo Oil Boy. I haven't used it yet, but bought it on the advice of a BUNCH of other people.

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Mike
2005 Four Winns 230/240
VP 5.7GXi/DP
1998 F-150 XLT
Boat Pic

Made the mistake once. Make sure the motor is good and warm and it will flow much better.

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Rob
2007 Four Winns 180 Horizon

Does your Merc have a screw fitting on the end of the dipstick? My volvo does. It is a garden hose standard thread. I put a female end on the line from the pump and it sucks the oil out without the use of that silly tube they supply.

> Warm the engine
> Attach to the dipstick
> Pump up the vacuum
> Release the clamp
> Oil gets sucked up
> Pump again and suck
> Replace the filter
> Measure the oil removed so you know about how much to add back
> Add new oil
> Run motor
> Wait a few minutes after you shut it down and check oil level
> Add more if necessary

I purchase a Top Sider about 6 yrs ago, still going strong.

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Jvalich
http://www.badcock.com

'04 FW 288 Vista "Mental Floss"

Your Merc should have a hose attached to the bottom of the oil pan which can be pulled though the drain at the stern of the boat. I like it because it makes oil changes neat an easy without the need for a pump (as long as the oil is warm). The boat drain plug is clipped with a neat little chain to the end of the hose, so when the boat drain plug is removed it hangs from the chain and is easy at hand, for an oil change you then just pull on the chain and the hose comes out the back of the boat. On our boat the hose originally was wrapped and tied to the port side of the engine.

If your using the pump warm the engine and take the fill cap off or you'll have vacuum.

Didnt they do away with the drain hose a few years back? I heard they were drying and cracking, draining the oil in to the bilge. Thought Merc was going to remove them.

It does have the rubber drain hose. I think I'm going to try it out and that will decide whether I want to pump it out next time or what.

Thanks for the input everyone-some very good pump suggestions if I go that route.

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Paul
2007 Four Winns Horizon 220
Mercruiser 350 Mag MPI w/ Bravo III Drive
2004 Ford Explorer Limited (V8-AWD)
Pomme de Terre Lake (Southwest Missouri)

I recently dropped a new engine in my 85. I talked to a few mechanics about adding the oil drain hose that goeas through the transom. After seeing the price of one, and hearing that it can take up to 2 hours to drain the oil, I am just getting a good pump. Like I said, no hours on the boat yet, but I think using a pump will be much easier and faster.

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1985 160 Marquise I/O