What is everyone's opinion on oil changes? I have about 15 hours on my teim 5.7 volvos since the last oil change. Do I change the oil again before putting in back in the water or wait?

If you changed last Spring, then definitely change the oil. Oil ages as it sits. It's cheap protection: when in doubt...change!

Twin main engines? Genset?

Twin main engines..yes

That is alot of oil.

Once in the spring, after the winter start-up, again once mid to late season, and then once for the winter storage.

But not many do that.

And, most marine engine builders go by engine hours. Look to your engine info that came with the boat.

Manufacturer says oil change every 50 hours.............engines have about 15 hours since last oil change.

Change it. It's been a year and there are still contaminants from use in the oil, even though its only been 15 hours. Changing the oil yourself is a lot cheaper than having the engines replaced.

You bring up a problem with your oil issue that causes alot of worry amoung boat owners. I, on my own boat, would change it.

Thanks guys..I think I'll have it changed

My boating season lasts 6 months per year ....

If you are seasonal, one must is to change oil during fall layup, as by-products of combustion include contaminants that can eventually damage your engine.

You don't want those contaminants (sulphuric acid, I think for one) laying in your engine - etching all of the internal components throughout the winter.

I do not change the oil during recommissioning in the spring. I do know some do it, but my boat is stored inside, so I cannot see how the oil would go bad over the winter.

I might also change the oil mid-summer, depending on how much the boat is used.

Some never change their oil, too. I worry about winterize fogging oil in a carb engine. To a small extent, I also worry about the crankcase oil being exposed to moist air over the off season.

Is this the first 15 hours of the engines? If so change it for sure. If not and the last oil you use is synthetic as per Volvo's recommendation then your fine. If you want proof then send a sample to an oil lab to have it analyzed. Blackstone is an example.

The dealer did the 20 hour oil change as recomended by volvo at the end of May. the boat now has 41 hours on it.

With a 2007 or 2008 Fi Volvo engine, your dealer may not have fogged the engine with as much "winter stuff" as an older engine. Ask your dealer. You may not need the oil change right now.

It bothers me to change the oil for winter and then have that new oil sit in there aging for no reason. Even if your oil is contaminated or dirty, isn't it just going to sit down in the drain pan all winter anyways? It's not really going to be touching many engine parts.