Changes in l/u oil color

[TOOSTROKIN]

I changed my lower unit oil last week. Installed new Omc oil and oring and nylon washer. They old oil was fine. A little black but had alot of hrs on it. After running for 5 hrs i dropped the bottom plug just to check.The new oil was yellow.Not white at all. Sorta custard color. Did not appear to have any water but was a mustard-custard color. Anyway i drained it out and refilled it again (new o-ring on top plug and nylon washer on bottom plug) and ran it 2 hrs on the lake. Came home and drained it again. Same custard color. Let that oil sit in a mayo jar overnight and still looks the same. Does not appear any water in it or at least it did not settle out in 24 hrs. My question is does the oil immediatly turn a different color when ran for a while or does this sound like contamination?

 

[Kiekhaeferscurse]

Re: Changes in l/u oil color

Smart of you to recheck the oil, OMC Oil like any good outboard gearlube, has the ability to absorb about 40% water contamination before it fails to lubricate, so it usually takes longer for water to seperate from it, You will always get some moisture in the gearcase (hot exhaust cold water) but from what your describing this sounds a little worse. You have indicated new Orings And nylon washer, you should either have one or the other not both on the same screw, can you explain what you mean by this.

 

[TOOSTROKIN]

Re: Changes in l/u oil color

O ring on the top vent plug. Nylon washer on the bottom fill plug.

 

[LubeDude]

Re: Changes in l/u oil color

This will be interesting to see if after about a week if there really is water in there. Also if maybe its air, but it should have separated some buy now. If its water, that there OMC oil really is doing its job, "NOT".<br /><br />Maybe try and change it and run the engine in gear on the muffs in your yard for a half hour or so. then check it again. Put stuff around the prop so the dog or cat or even worse, kids cant get close to it.

 

[Paul Moir]

Re: Changes in l/u oil color

Was there a groove for the o-ring in the top vent plug? Only grooved plugs get o-rings or they'll likely leak. If there's no groove, then use a nylon washer.<br />One of each sounds unusual to me.

 

[DJ]

Re: Changes in l/u oil color

Agree with Paul. One or the other, usually not both.

 

[TOOSTROKIN]

Re: Changes in l/u oil color

The upper plug has a groove for o-ring. The lower plug is flat. O ring in upper plug nylon washer on bottom. All that is correct.

 

[Kiekhaeferscurse]

Re: Changes in l/u oil color

Although I am not a huge fan of Vacuum &pressure tests, you might want to have these performed. They will indicate if you have a bad seal or a grooved shaft.

 

[BillP]

Re: Changes in l/u oil color

Only 2 hrs running and it sat 24hrs without water separating? My money sez there isn't any water.

 

[ob]

Re: Changes in l/u oil color

I'm not sure that well emulsified water will separate from marine gear lube just sitting in a container for a spell.