New boat owner question

[ootyboy]

I recently acquired an Epic 21 (my first boat)  with 160 hours (Boat 173 on the registry) and had some maintenance questions.

Oil Change

I would like to change the oil and I noticed from the docs on the site that there are 2 ways to accomplish this: Using a pump to extract the oil from the dip stick hole or using the oil change tube provided by Toyota. My main problem is that the boat has to be warm -- how do you accomplish this on dry land? Can  you run the boat out of water and without a water source? Can i just hook up a hose to the inlet and run the boat on the trailer?   If so where is the inlet -- can't seem to find it.

Also with the second method (using the hose) where does the oil drain?

Filter Type

What type of oil filter does this boat use? I assume it would be the same as a 1999 or 2000 Lexus V8 (LS400)

[HCollado]

Do some more reading here in the site. It's not that hard but you want to be sure to do it right and not make a mess.

The easiest way is to extract it thru the hose that it's placed somewhere on the top of the engine. Jabsco makes one that will accommodate about 10 qts, more than enough. You don't necessarily have to get the engine warm, it's better because the dirt in the oil has not settled, but doing it cold is fine. Just do it often, don't wait years or over 100 hours.

DO NOT RUN THE BOAT OUT OF THE WATER. Buy what is called "fake-a-lake" pretty easy to use and figure out.

The filter, yes that will work.

[ootyboy]

Thanks for the information Hector. I did read all through the site -- however, most of the discussion threads regarding oil is about the type of oil to use, rather than how to actually change the oil.

Another rookie question: Where is the water inlet on the Epic21? I can get a Fake a Lake from a friend, but not sure where I need to connect it to.

[skibeau]

ooty,

The water intake is right against the bunk board in this picture; a little challenging and frustrating after crawling under the trailer only to find this to attach a 'fake-a-lake'.  That's why I modified my boat for a hose attachment with a couple of ball valves.  It's fairly tight getting stuff in there and you have to be real careful about the correct valve being open.

There is a nondescript black rubber hose (yeah, they're all black!) approximately 5/8" OD with a bolt in the end attached to the top of the engine with a clip.  Pull the hose out of the clip and un-snake the hose all the way to the bottom of the bilge (below the engine).  Remove the 'T' handle drain plug near the front of the engine and carefully snake the hose through the drain being carefull to remove all kinks.  When all the hose is below the engine, remove the bolt to drain the engine oil by gravity.

I remember a few years ago almost panicking because someone needed a jump and I couldn't find the battery!   An owner's manual with lots of pictures would have been real helpful.  After removing the engine cover and all the floor panels out, look around for a while and some of the hoses, cables & wires will eventually start to make a little sense.

[ootyboy]

Thanks Skibeau, great picture-- I just ordered a fake a lake unit from Amazon and going to try an oil change over the weekend (my friends unit was broken). As a sidenote has anyone used this particular device:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000MTB832/ref=oh_details_o00_s00_i01

[westtx]

I have the same one. It works fine. Enjoy your boat!

[ootyboy]

Finally got the time this weekend to change the oil on the Epic. Once I had the pump it was pretty easy to perform. Thanks to feedback from everyone.

One question regarding the fake a lake: I had a pretty tight seal on the water intake, but the fake a lake was spilling a lot of water through the top of it. Is that normal? Should the seal be tight with no leakage?

[ktdust]

They always leak, but they do work. I don't use a fake a lake though. Usually just stick the garden hose in where the sea strainer connects.

[ootyboy]

I knew it was working since water was coming of the outlet. I was just not sure if it had to be a super tight fit -- which seems impossible to accomplish.

Thanks again for all the help and advice.