4 Stroke Oil Change

[vermilionfox]

I have a 2004 115 hp Johnson 4 stroke on my pontoon boat. It's my first 4 stroke. How hard is it to change the oil? Would I need any special tools?

[VMS]

You shouldn't...

I'd say it is about as hard as chaging the oil on a car or truck. I would guess if you take a gander at the owners manual, it may have the directions right there in terms of how the motor should be positions for drainage, filter removal and installation, etc.

Really not too hard if you have some ability mechanically.

Steve

[Dusty]

I don't know about the Johnson 4stroke but the Yamaha is easy. Just a little messy. It almost takes two people, one to hold the Oil catcher pan, the other to take out the oil plug.

[marine_man]

If you're a little mechanically inclined it shouldn't be too difficult for you to do.

As someone else said, the biggest thing with changing the oil is the mess it makes.

marine_man

[tgff009]

Special tools you might need: Torque wrench for tightening the drain plug, small filter wrench for removing the filter, drop cloth/cardboard/rags to catch the "mess"

I don't have experience with Johnsons but I would guess there are decent instructions in your owners manual. Take a read and then take a look at your motor. You should be able to figure it out very easily. I say that because I have very little skills when it comes to motors.

[iffwalleyes]

They are very easy to change. I have a 4 stroke 140 Johnson. In your owners kit you should have some special wrenchs that make the job very easy. You take the hood off and then they right side of the midsection cover needs to come off. There is a special tool for that it is just a long nut driver. So if you don't have it a regular nut dirve should work. After that is off. Everything is right there. The drain plug has a allen head pull it out and be ready with your oil pan. I use a regular oil pan and then I have a small plastic cool whip bowl type bowl to catch the last little bit once the oil flow slows down. After most of that is out spin the filer off. Use the cool whip bowl to catch the oil from this. You are now all drain. Spin a new filter on and then you are ready to put the drain plug back in. There is a aluminum washer on the plug this should be replaced every oil change according to the owners manual. I was given several of these with the owners packet of stuff. Put the plug with a new washer in and tighten. Now you are ready to refill. You will have to look at the owners manual to see what yours holds. Mine is 6 quarts. Use regular 5-30 unless you want to do something different but my service manager said that is all that is required for you to run. After you have it filled you will need to start the motor to cycle oil into the filter. One nice thing about Johnsons everything that is oil related is marked with yellow. The filling plug is yellow and so is the dip stick. Now clean up the motor put the midsection back on and hood and you are ready for another season. Unless you use it alot one change a year should be sufficent. Also replace the gear lube when you change the oil. It is recommended to do these things at the end of the season. Good luck any other questions let me know.

[vermilionfox]

Thanks for the help guys. I had the oil and gear lube changed last fall by the dealer. But, I've been fishing the Mississippi most of the winter until the last cold snap down here in Missouri froze her up. Just wanted to see if I could save some money on the next changeover. Not to mention having to trailer it 35 miles and waiting two weeks for it to be done!

[theoilman]

I'm sure the biggest problem is preventing a mess!

How often to change oils? Engine oil, according to owner's manual - usually a certain number of engine hours; lower unit gear oil - once a year for most.

Your comment on the oil to use is poor. All 4-stroke outboards require a "NMMA FC-W Certified" oil. Very few oils out there are. AMSOIL has 2 speciality engine oils for this marine application, for more information, click on these links:

http://www.oil.com/redirect.cgi?zo=52257&page=storefront/wcf (for 10W-30 NMMA FC-W motor oil)

http://www.oil.com/redirect.cgi?zo=52257&page=storefront/wct (for 10W-40 NMMA FC-W motor oil)