Can I use this oil in my lower unit?

[jfrost1920]

Motor: 1983 50hp 4cyl Mercury

I bought some oil (Lubrimatic, Premium Type C, lower unit oil, for electric shift motors,) from a local marine repair center. The tech told me it was what I needed but I am doubting him. The bottle says "for outboards with electrical shift mechanisms and other Type C applications". Suitable for all electric shift gearcases. The reason I am doubting is because it looks almost clear and is not really very thick like the last stuff I bought which was blue and alot thicker.

My question is: Do I have a Type C Lower unit? Is it an electric shift gearcase?
Can I run safely with this oil or should I take it back and say wtf guys.

Thanks alot for reading this post, any advice is welcome!

 

[JB]

Re: Can I use this oil in my lower unit?

No. You don't have an electric shift lower end.

Type C gearcase oil is for the OMC electrohydraulic shifting systems only.

The tech lied to you.

 

[jfrost1920]

Re: Can I use this oil in my lower unit?

No way! What if I would've put in tomorrow morning and ran all around on that stuff? Would it have ruined my lower that fast? I'm going out right now to drain it and ill be at their front door waiting on them Monday morning. What the heck!? How can a marine boat repair shop give you something wrong that is that critical!

 

[dwco5051]

Re: Can I use this oil in my lower unit?

I am cheap about a lot of things but when it comes to lower unit lube I use nothing but the engine makers branded products. The cost difference is so small for the amount you use but the cost could be very high for a LU failure. I know there may be equal or better products out there but why take a chance.

 

[emckelvy]

Re: Can I use this oil in my lower unit?

I seriously doubt that you would have ruined your lower unit by running it one time while lubricated with Type C oil. After all, electric-shift or electric-assist lower units have gears in them too and they require proper lubrication. These gears are no more or less special than the gears in a mechanical-shift lower unit.

The "special" part of the Type C oil has to do with its electrical conductivity and reactiveness to electrical isulating varnish. Apparently regular gear oil can break down the insulation resistance of the solenoid's windings, causing failures.

Here's a good discussion on that topic:

http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=70504

That being said, you're probably better off putting the right stuff in there. Hard to believe that the place you bought the oil from would go out of their way to sell you oil with properties that you didn't need (and was likely more expensive than regular Hi-Vis marine-grade gear oil).

I reckon if the store is willing to guarantee that the Type C oil will do no harm to your gears, and put it in writing, no problem. However, if they're unwilling to do so, they don't have a leg to stand on as far as refunding your money goes.

For regular applications I use Sta-Lube Hi-Vis marine-grade gear oil and find it to be perfectly suitable.

For hi-performance applications you're probably better off going with the mfr's premium oil or an aftermarket hi-end (i.e. synthetic).

HTH...........ed

 

[surge006]

Re: Can I use this oil in my lower unit?

i put super tech oil semi synthetic oil in runs great and its only 4.97 a quart compared to other mobil and castrol

 

[jfrost1920]

Re: Can I use this oil in my lower unit?

Great, thanks for the info. I had been using the Mercury/Quicksilver stuff but when I went to pick up my new pump and impeller, I just had those guys throw in a bottle of gear lube so I didn't have to stop somewhere else. It was $8 for a 32oz bottle. I looked at it and said "are you sure this is right?" He said "yeah man, its just 80w90. Its what we have in the big drums back in the back." I took his word, came home and put it in, but was really doubting it. Thats what lead me to you guys.

Now how do I go about putting the Mercury stuff in. Can I just drain the old stuff out and immediately refill with Mercury? Will that get it all and does it matter if a little is left over and mixes with the Mercury/Quicksilver stuff? Either way it has to be better than whats in there.

 

[emckelvy]

Re: Can I use this oil in my lower unit?

Just drain and refill, it'll be fine.........ed