Question about re-filling an Alpha with the drive lube monitor....

[Lou C]

OK was doing a drive lube change on an Alpha with the drive lube monitor, I filled it till it came out the upper vent hole, (took approx 40 oz) then went up to the engine and refilled the drive monitor. Later I realized you are supposed to fill till it comes out the vent, replace the vent plug and then pump till you fill the drive lube monitor bottle. So....should I suck the fluid out of the drive monitor lube bottle and add fluid via the pump on the lower drain till it fills the bottle? or is the way I did it ok? I'm thinking that I should suck out the fluid from the drive lube bottle and fill it via pumping from the lower drain....to avoid air pockets....

 

[Scott06]

OK was doing a drive lube change on an Alpha with the drive lube monitor, I filled it till it came out the upper vent hole, (took approx 40 oz) then went up to the engine and refilled the drive monitor. Later I realized you are supposed to fill till it comes out the vent, replace the vent plug and then pump till you fill the drive lube monitor bottle. So....should I suck the fluid out of the drive monitor lube bottle and add fluid via the pump on the lower drain till it fills the bottle? or is the way I did it ok? I'm thinking that I should suck out the fluid from the drive lube bottle and fill it via pumping from the lower drain....to avoid air pockets....

You will be fine as is. Mine I fill like you mention- pump through bottom of drive until I see it come up in the lube bottle, then top off lube bottle. Every spring once I run it it drops maybe an 1"-1.5" top it off and doesn't drop rest of the season.

When you run it any air will work its way up to the bottle, top as needed

 

[Lou C]

You will be fine as is. Mine I fill like you mention- pump through bottom of drive until I see it come up in the lube bottle, then top off lube bottle. Every spring once I run it it drops maybe an 1"-1.5" top it off and doesn't drop rest of the season.

When you run it any air will work its way up to the bottle, top as needed

thanks I'm kinda new to Mercruiser, been an OMC Cobra guy about 20 years so there are some differences to learn. This is a family member's boat so I want it to be right.

 

[achris]

No problem with the way you did it. For future, if you what to fill the drive right up before installing it... While on the bench (or you drive Jack), fill it as per normal (up to the vent plug), then lay it on the ground (vent plug side up), remove the vent plug and carefully continue filling. That way you get as much air out as possible, and your monitor bottle doesn't drain during the season...

 

[Lou C]

thanks again! So what I'll do is advise the owner to monitor the lube level in the bottle when the boat is re-commissioned in the spring and add fluid as needed.

 

[achris]

thanks again! So what I'll do is advise the owner to monitor the lube level in the bottle when the boat is re-commissioned in the spring and add fluid as needed.

As they should be anyway! (and engine oil, trim fluid and power steering pump)... Before EVERY trip out, all of those items should always be checked.

 

[Lou C]

That's what I've always done, there are some of us who are naturally mechanically intuitive and look and listen, others, not so much lol!