? about water freezing in gearcase

[Thumpbass]

I live in the south and fish all year round so I don't winterize. I noticed that it is suposed to get below freezing in my area tonight so I went to do a gear lube inspection. My lube is a little cloudy but still clear enough to be what I'd consider not milky. My question is at what point do you consider that the oil has enough water to cause damage to the case in a hard freeze? I have had water in the gear case on other motors that I have owned where pure water trickled out before the oil flowed when draining and also experienced dificulty shifting. This particular motor shifts fine and had no pure water drain when I removed the fill plug. Any info? I will do what ever it takes to keep things in good shape but I really don't want to have to drain and fill my lower unit after each outing throughout the winter if the slightly cloudy oil is normal. Thanks!

 

[Silvertip]

Re: ? about water freezing in gearcase

It depends on how far below freezing it will get and for how long. If the boat is left in the water, engine down, it will be ok as the entire body of water will not freeze over night. If there is a prolonged freeze and the engine is out of the water, then the possibility of damage could occur. But it appears there is not a great deal of water intrusion so the likelyhood of damage is small.

 

[ezeke]

Re: ? about water freezing in gearcase

In time, all petroleum floats on water, including gasoline. The point is that the damage to the gears and gearcase is more than just about freezing, it is about rust and corrosion as well.

As Silvertip points out, the gearcase will normally not freeze if the water around it does not with two exceptions: first, the water in the gearcase is different from that around it such as fresh versus salt or acid versus neutral ph; and, secondly that the freezing temperature is not accompanied by air circulation sufficient to cool the exposed aluminum enough to freeze that which is underwater.

Regardless, gear oil is relatively cheap when compared to any other possibility, so why not just change it?

 

[kenmyfam]

Re: ? about water freezing in gearcase

If in doubt.....Dump it out.....and replace.
It will only make things better long term. But dont go as far as to change it each time out !!

 

[DHPMARINE]

Re: ? about water freezing in gearcase

Sorry,I missed what year and HP you are talking about.So I will address all.

A soft freeze will probably not hurt you,But what kind of oil/water solution are you trying to use on your lower unit gears and bearings?

At least change the oil so the bearings don't pit.

DHP

 

[Thumpbass]

Re: ? about water freezing in gearcase

Sorry,I missed what year and HP you are talking about.So I will address all.

A soft freeze will probably not hurt you,But what kind of oil/water solution are you trying to use on your lower unit gears and bearings?

At least change the oil so the bearings don't pit.

DHP

sorry....'78 85hp

 

[DJ]

Re: ? about water freezing in gearcase

When you change the lube, don't forget to change the fill/drain plug seals. Those are the most probable places for water to enter.

 

[Thumpbass]

Re: ? about water freezing in gearcase

I went ahead and drained the gear lube but I don't have any new o-rings for the plugs. Could I just screw the plugs back in and leave the gear case empty until I can run down to the parts place and get new o-rings? Seems like it would be messy and wastefull trying to replace the o-rings without trying to lose a good bit of fresh oil....those o-rings don't always do what you want them to.

 

[OBJ]

Re: ? about water freezing in gearcase

Probably won't hurt to leave it MT for a few days. Still a good coat of oil over the gears and bearings. But don't wait to long and most of all.....DON'T FORGET THERE'S NO LUBE IN THE GEARCASE!....d

 

[Thumpbass]

Re: ? about water freezing in gearcase

Probably won't hurt to leave it MT for a few days. Still a good coat of oil over the gears and bearings. But don't wait to long and most of all.....DON'T FORGET THERE'S NO LUBE IN THE GEARCASE!....d

wouldn't take long to remember, huh?

 

[DHPMARINE]

Re: ? about water freezing in gearcase

Years ago had a customer that drained in the fall,filled in the spring.The spring he thought his buddy did the refill ....... wasn't pretty.200HP Merc.

Just don't forget.

DHP

 

[imported_MattG]

Re: ? about water freezing in gearcase

ouch!

 

[imported_MattG]

Re: ? about water freezing in gearcase

ouch!

I can Just hear it now! " I thought you did, No I thought you did!" "OHHHHH SNAP!!!"

 

[OBJ]

Re: ? about water freezing in gearcase

In my shop, if there's no lube in the gear case, there's a tag on it saying "NO LUBE".......results of an experience long ago when I first got in the business......:%:'(

 

[Thumpbass]

Re: ? about water freezing in gearcase

OK I got some new o-rings, here's what I need to know. How tight do I need to tighten the plugs with the new o-rings on them? I want to get it tight enough to make the seal but obviouslly don't want to strip the threads on the case. How hard is it to over tighten with the new o-rings?

 

[iwombat]

Re: ? about water freezing in gearcase

As a general rule of thumb, tighten until it's snug, then go another 1/4 turn or so. It's real easy to over tighten o-rings and crush them into uselessness. Also, it's a good idea to coat those rings with a bit of lube all the way around before installation. That keeps 'em from drying out. More important on the top plug than the bottom though, since I'm sure the bottom will be nice and coated when you're trying to get it back in that hole.

There's probably a torque rating someplace for those plugs I'll just betcha.