lower unit oil

[john bland]

I believe I may have water in the lower unit. How do I check this?:And if it is water how do I change it? !971 60 hp evinrude model1972c:

 

[bankerjohn]

Re: lower unit oil

Loosen the bottom drain plug ... and see what the fluid looks like.

If it's been several days since the motor was last run, and there's water in the gear case, you'll likely see water drip out first.

If you've run the motor recently, and there's water in the gear case, you'll see something resembling chocolate milk.

If the fluid that first comes out is clear and oily, then you probably don't have water intruding into the gear case!

When is the last time you changed the oil in the lower unit? Did you put new washers on the drain and fill plugs?

 

[Vic.S]

Re: lower unit oil

Locate the drain and level screws #45 ( note the nylon washers #46 as well)
in THIS DIAGRAM

remove the two screws and drain the oil. (Or just a little to inspect if you like).

Any free water will come out first but even if the oil is only milky it indicates water in it. It should be "clear and bright". The cause of any water presence should be investigated and remedied.

Refill with a pump or a squeezy tube via the bottom hole until it flows from the top hole.

refit the top screw then remove the pump and refit the lower one quickly.
New nylon washers should be used.

You have an electric shift ?? therefore the correct oil is "type C" not the high viscosity oil used for manual shifts

 

[joey nathan]

Re: lower unit oil

Down on the lower part of the lower unit you'll find two screws. Lowest of the two is the drain/fill hole, and the upper is the vent. Remove both to allow the lube to drain out. Then pump fresh lube back into the unit via the lower hole until it comes out the top hole and replace the screws.

Good idea to check for water and metal shavings in the old lube while doing all this. Presence of water is indicated by milky looking lube.

 

[john bland]

Re: lower unit oil

found the screws and removed as instructed. Milky at the bottom, not a lot though. any way, coild this be the cause of my motor defaukting to forward gear as I cannot get it to shift into neutral.The wiring was fine the first time out, as it worked then stopped shifting back into neutral. I know very little(NOTHING ACTUALLY) about outboard motors and this is my first boat.

 

[eavega]

Re: lower unit oil

...it worked then stopped shifting back into neutral.

I just had this same problem with my '72 50 HP Evinrude. The shift was working, then I put up the motor for a year while I repaired the boat. Started it up again yesterday, and no shift (defaulting to forward gear). Turned out I didn't have enough oil in the gear case, so there was inadequate pressure to cause the gears to change. I filled the gear case to its capacity, and now I have all my gears again.

-E

 

[john bland]

Re: lower unit oil/eavega

Re: lower unit oil/eavega

am hoping that is my priblem. ordered the type C oil. will keep ya posted; Thanks a lot