How many hours between oil changes

Steven Dore

It's the end of the boating season and it is time to change the oil in my Honda 90. I average about 70 hours a year on the engine. Just curious about how many hours others run between oil changes?

Steve

Phil Barnes

We have a Honda 90 (injected) and change oil once per season or every 100 hours. I think that is what Honda calls for but interested in what others do as well.

South of Heaven · Posted: Sun Nov 08, 2015 10:58 pm Post subject:

I have an 09 Yamaha, fuel injected 40hp 4 stroke. The owners manual says 100 hours but I don't agree with that at all. I've already changed it twice in the past 40 hours.
Having said that, it's easy to change the oil on my little motor. I'm not sure about the bigger boys. Maybe the 100 hour interval is justified if it's a PITA to do it. Lol

ghone · Posted: Sun Nov 08, 2015 11:13 pm Post subject:

I just talked with my Yamaha mechanic on this the other day
We only ran 60 hours this season, anchored more than ran. I asked him if he thought we should do the oil and he said no, do it at around 100. He routinely goes 2 seasons between changes on his own boat as he's too busy to get out. He's the best mechanic I've ever seen and I trust him. George

C-Green · Posted: Sun Nov 08, 2015 11:16 pm Post subject:

I have 2002 twin Honda 40's, put about 80 hours per season on them and change the oil at the end of the season just before winter storage. Approximately 1100 hours in 14 seasons on them and no problems yet.

Jay

jbdba01 · Joined: 18 Nov 2014 Posts: 172 State or Province: FL

My 90 Yamaha owners manual says 100 hours, but I do it 100 hours or once a year - whichever come first.

BTDT · Posted: Mon Nov 09, 2015 9:19 am Post subject:

Previous owner documented oil change intervals at maximum of 100 hours. Engine hours are now over 3000 and the Honda 150's are still 'purring'

thataway · Posted: Mon Nov 09, 2015 11:55 am Post subject:

100 hours or yearly, which ever comes first. Same with vehicles--mileage or time interval. Oil is cheap.

hardee · Posted: Mon Nov 09, 2015 5:49 pm Post subject:

Well, George and my Yamaha mechanics agree, sort of. Mine says 100 hours or at the end of the season. If the season runs over 100, they lean to the end of the season change, unless the season is going to go past 150. They figure the average season use is 80 hours. Every other season would about equal 150 hours.

Harvey
SleepyC Moon

thataway · Posted: Mon Nov 09, 2015 6:18 pm Post subject:

One can also make the argument, that if you are running 100 hours mostly at trolling speeds lets say 1200 RPM, vs 100 hours at 4500 RPM. Some commercial operations run engines continuously for several years, without shut down--using filters, and oil burned off, instead of changes. For example at one point There were small ferry boats in the Sacramento Delta whose GMC 6-71's were run at low constant speeds, with a 360 degree pivot "Z" drive, for 2 years and then shut down and majored. I was told they never had a failure of these engines. This is about 17,500 hours between "oil changes" or majors. Of course the old GMC's weep, leak and burn oil...I suspect that they watch the lubricity of these oils, and take out, add in a little when needed. Then you get stories from outfits like "Gulf Coast oil filters, who use bypass filters which remove contaminates, and microscopic particles:

RobLL · Posted: Mon Nov 09, 2015 7:34 pm Post subject:

A likely comparison: Automobiles average about 40 mph, and in a hundred hours 4000 miles and about due an oil change. Or every 6 months.

Steven Dore · Posted: Mon Nov 09, 2015 9:14 pm Post subject:

Thanks everyone. I feel better about my annual change with 70 hours.

Steve