Lower unit oil

[bones774]

I was just at one of the big box stores and they wanted 10 bucks a quart for Quicksilver High performance gear lube. Sounds a bit expensive, is that about right? is there a non high performance? any other substitutes available?
Thanks

 

[IES99]

Re: Lower unit oil

I've been using the Pennzoil product.

 

[180shabah]

Re: Lower unit oil

What drive do you have?????

 

[havasuboatman]

Re: Lower unit oil

Quicksilver is the bargin brand. If you buy the Mercruiser brand it's $15-$18 a quart.
$10 is about right. If yours is a Merc drive, use the hp gear lube. It's good stuff and holds up well to minor water contamination. Automotive lubes loose their lubricating properties if water gets in them.
$30 a year is worth the insurance, trust me.

 

[bones774]

Re: Lower unit oil

I have a merc alpha 1. I did see that the quicksilver has emulsifying agents in it.
I guess I'll have to go back and pick it up.
Thanks

 

[180shabah]

Re: Lower unit oil

I have a merc alpha 1.

Which generation I or II?

genIs can use the "cheaper" premium oil or equivilant
genII need HP only

 

[bomar76]

Re: Lower unit oil

One is not enough to fill an empty drive.
Buy two.

 

[bones774]

Re: Lower unit oil

I believe I have a Gen 1. My trim cylinders go to the farther edge of the body, is that correct? ser# OC363861

 

[brendanstl]

Re: Lower unit oil

I believe I have a Gen 1. My trim cylinders go to the farther edge of the body, is that correct? ser# OC363861

Thats a Gen1

 

[bones774]

Re: Lower unit oil

genIs can use the "cheaper" premium oil or equivilant
genII need HP only
Just for my info what is the cheaper "equivalent"
Thanks

 

[180shabah]

Re: Lower unit oil

Just for my info what is the cheaper "equivalent"

Whatever is on the shelf that says "suitable for all sterndrives"

 

[bigskiohio]

Re: Lower unit oil

spend the 30.00 and buy the merc + my mech swears by it.

 

[liquidlew]

Re: Lower unit oil

I get mine at Walmart for $9 a qt., at least that was the price when I got it last year. You gotta buy 2 qts. I just filled my Gen 1 and it takes aprox. 1-1/4 quarts. The tricky part is unscrewing the hand pump and getting the plug back in without losing half of what you put in so you gotta be quick!

 

[HT32BSX115]

Re: Lower unit oil

$9 or $10 per quart is a bargain!

You only change it once every 1 or 2 years!!!

If you're worried about saving a few bucks a year, how do you buy gas?

 

[bones774]

Re: Lower unit oil

Wasn't worried about the total cost, just if the price per quart was reasonable.
Believe me I also own a Harley, so it's "H"undred "D"ollars and "Break Out Another Thousand" as my motto's.
I wonder if airplane owners have their own motto??

 

[bomar76]

Re: Lower unit oil

I wonder if airplane owners have their own motto??

Yeah...
pull the stick back and the little houses get smaller
push the stick forward and the little houses get bigger

It's taped to the instrument panel of every plane.

 

[HT32BSX115]

Re: Lower unit oil

It's taped to the instrument panel of every plane.

gawd!!! I missed that!!!!!

 

[bomar76]

Re: Lower unit oil

Feel free to go ahead and put it up whenever you see it missing.

 

[Aviator5]

Re: Lower unit oil

I wonder if airplane owners have their own motto??

"If pilot is still alive, then flight was successful"

 

[HT32BSX115]

Re: Lower unit oil

Or, "Any landing you walk away from was a good one!!"