Alpha One Gen+ Lower Unit Lube Change Process

[jkimball]

Just recently became the proud new owner of a '97 Regal Destiny with a Mercruiser 4.3LX/ Alpha One Gen+.
Before this I was strictly an outboard guy, and knew my way around them pretty well.

But with the sterndrive, I have some learning to do.

I want to change the LU Lube, which under normal circumstances I know how to do. 1) pop drain plug 2) pop vent plug 3) drain 25/30 min 4) fill from bottom to top until fluid seeps out of vent hole.

However, this boat has the remote LU Lube monitoring bottle on the starboard riser, so that's throwing me off a little.

What are the added in steps to change the lube with this system?

I'm assuming and please correct me if I'm wrong.

- Unscrew lid to relieve pressure
- Drain Reservoir/ Clean as necessary
- Drain and refill LU as normal (see above)
- Once LU is full, replace vent plug
- Continue to fill LU with pump, from bottom with Vent plug in place until fluid is to full mark in reservoir

Again, this is just my guess but if there is an actual process or procedure for this please share. I don't want to miss something and frag my lower unit.

Thanks!

 

[Bt Doctur]

I'm assuming and please correct me if I'm wrong.

- Unscrew lid to relieve pressure
- Drain Reservoir/ Clean as necessary
- Drain and refill LU as normal (see above)
- Once LU is full, replace vent plug
- Continue to fill LU with pump, from bottom with Vent plug in place until
OIL IS SEEN IN THE BOTTOM OF THE BOTTLE, FILL BOTTLE FROM CAP OPENING TO THE FULL LINE

 

[tanker1983]

Correct, jkimball. You continue to fill from the bottom, with the pump, until the Lube Monitor is at the operating range line.


Just small top offs from the cap/lube monitor when necessary.

 

[thumpar]

Also check the lube monitor for sludge in the bottom before filling. I just fill mine from the bottom until there is 1/2" or so in the monitor and then fill the monitor up through the cap.