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Oil Change volume question


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I'm doing my first DIY oil change using an oil pump through the dip stick on my 2010 vRide with the 5.7L MPI.  The manual states Crankcase with filter is 5.5 quarts.  I started sucking air after about 3.25 quarts (without filter obviously), and couldn't get any more or any deeper.  Is this to be expected when doing it this way?  The boat is on a lift on the water so I can't drain from below.  Oil was slightly low prior to this (on the last dot of 4 in the dipstick after warmup).   I was still expecting to get more oil... at least 4+ quarts without the filter.  Should I just replace this with ~4 quarts plus fill half the filter to bring it back up some and go from there?  Or am I missing getting some old oil somewhere?

Also the gearbox and v-drive dipsticks both showed above the two lines on the dip stick.  I'm assuming it should be between them, no?  I did check that before running the boat to warm it up and forgot to check again after.  Previously the dealer did all maintenance so I'm learning here.  Thanks for you input.

Edited by crispywake
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If you have an oil drain hose that is attached to the oil pan, try sucking the oil out through that, you may be able to get a bit more.  That's how I change my oil (different boat, but also a 5.7L small block).  I typically get about 4 quarts out that way, and after changing the filter I end up adding about 4.5 quarts of fresh oil to get it to the full mark (after starting the engine and making sure the new filter is filled, then re-checking the oil level).  Just go by the dipstick reading.  

I had a 95 Response with the 5.7L, and also would only have to add about 4.5 quarts to achieve the full mark.  I think the 5.5 quart spec is assuming it's possible to get every ounce of oil out of the engine and lines, which is difficult on a boat.

For the transmission and v-drive, there may be a special procedure to check the level but I can't say for sure (for example: with boat warmed up and in forward gear, place boat in neutral and check levels within 30 seconds??).  I'd check the owners manual to make sure.   

 

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4 hours ago, cbftbl87 said:

If you have an oil drain hose that is attached to the oil pan, try sucking the oil out through that, you may be able to get a bit more.  That's how I change my oil (different boat, but also a 5.7L small block).  I typically get about 4 quarts out that way, and after changing the filter I end up adding about 4.5 quarts of fresh oil to get it to the full mark (after starting the engine and making sure the new filter is filled, then re-checking the oil level).  Just go by the dipstick reading.  

I had a 95 Response with the 5.7L, and also would only have to add about 4.5 quarts to achieve the full mark.  I think the 5.5 quart spec is assuming it's possible to get every ounce of oil out of the engine and lines, which is difficult on a boat.

For the transmission and v-drive, there may be a special procedure to check the level but I can't say for sure (for example: with boat warmed up and in forward gear, place boat in neutral and check levels within 30 seconds??).  I'd check the owners manual to make sure.   

 

Thanks for the feedback @cbftbl87!  I'll see if I'm able to suck from the drain hose.  Also it looks like you are correct, I didn't see anything in the manual (maybe missed it) but looks like there is a special procedure to check the transmission and v-drive, essentially as you described -- 

 

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2 minutes ago, oldjeep said:

Main thing when checking the trans/v-drive is that you are looking at the level when you dip the stick in without screwing it down

I wasn't screwing it down, but the boat hadn't been run in a few months so I was definitely off from the suggested procedure.  Once I get the oil back in her I'll check it as advised.  I also read on another post when sucking out ATF fluid from the gearbox and V-drive you likely won't be able to get anywhere near the stated full capacities.  Do you guys typically just take out as much as you can, and replace approx that volume?  Is that OK to do maintenance this way or am I selling my boat short of getting all new fresh fluids?

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3 minutes ago, crispywake said:

I wasn't screwing it down, but the boat hadn't been run in a few months so I was definitely off from the suggested procedure.  Once I get the oil back in her I'll check it as advised.  I also read on another post when sucking out ATF fluid from the gearbox and V-drive you likely won't be able to get anywhere near the stated full capacities.  Do you guys typically just take out as much as you can, and replace approx that volume?  Is that OK to do maintenance this way or am I selling my boat short of getting all new fresh fluids?

I use a suction extractor (think big syringe) - and measure what I take out and then put the same amount back in.

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1 minute ago, oldjeep said:

I use a suction extractor (think big syringe) - and measure what I take out and then put the same amount back in.

Does only getting about 3 quarts of oil from the motor dip stick sound about right, or should there be more there?  Sorry to bug you -- but you are a wise man and you have helped me on numerous other posts, so THANK YOU!! 

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2 minutes ago, crispywake said:

Does only getting about 3 quarts of oil from the motor dip stick sound about right, or should there be more there?  Sorry to bug you -- but you are a wise man and you have helped me on numerous other posts, so THANK YOU!! 

No idea.  I'm in the camp of would never ever use a dipstick extractor. In my inlaws boat which had no drainline I used to drain the oil into the bilge using the pan plug until a few years ago I added a drain line.   What I can say is that in my boat using the drain line that after I drain the engine and replace the filter I can put pretty close to 5.5 quarts of oil back in.

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