Changing gear oil - Alpha1 G2 w/gear lube monitor

[mark1905]

According to the service manual, changing the gear oil in the Mercruiser Alpha 1 Gen 2 outdrives that have the fluid level reservoir is as easy as draining, and then refilling through the reservoir until it flows out the vent hole, then capping and filling resv. to full line.

My mechanic swears this is incorrect no matter what the manual says. That you will still have air bubbles if you do this.

Is it really this easy?

 

[HT32BSX115]

Re: Changing gear oil - Alpha1 G2 w/fluid level monitor

Re: Changing gear oil - Alpha1 G2 w/fluid level monitor

My mechanic swears this is incorrect no matter what the manual says. That you will still have air bubbles if you do this.

Your "Mechanic is correct"

What service manual are you using?

From Merc #14:

...
...
...5. Using lubricant pump, fill drive unit through fill/drain hole with lubricant until oil is even
with bottom edge of vent hole.
6. Without removing lubricant pump from fill/drain hole, reinstall oil vent plug and sealing
washer.
a. Non-Gear Lube Monitor Models: torque oil vent plug to 40 lb-in. (4 Nm).
b. Gear Lube Monitor Models: tighten oil vent plug snugly; do not torque at this time.
7. All models: remove lubricant pump and quickly reinstall fill/drain plug and sealing
washer. Torque to 40 lb-in. (4 Nm).
Models with Gear Lube Monitor:
8. Remove oil vent plug and sealing washer (with drive unit in full DOWN/IN position).
9. Fill gear lube monitor bottle with Quicksilver High-Performance Gear Lube. When oil
starts to run out the vent hole (gear lube hose between drive unit and gear lube bottle
becomes filled), reinsert vent plug. Torque to 40 lb-in. (4 Nm).
10. Fill gear lube monitor to ?FULL? line on decal. Lubricate O-ring seal on gear lube monitor
neck with sterndrive oil, to ensure ease of installing and removing cap. Install gear lube
monitor cap. Do not overtighten.
...
...
...

Go to the Adults only post above, and download #14, and read the maintenance section 1B. Changing the oil is around page 1B-12.


Regards,


Rick

 

[mark1905]

Re: Changing gear oil - Alpha1 G2 w/fluid level monitor

Re: Changing gear oil - Alpha1 G2 w/fluid level monitor

Your "Mechanic is correct"

What service manual are you using?

From Merc #14:



Go to the Adults only post above, and download #14, and read the maintenance section 1B. Changing the oil is around page 1B-12.


Regards,


Rick

"Models with Gear Lube Monitor:
8. Remove oil vent plug and sealing washer (with drive unit in full DOWN/IN position).
9. Fill gear lube monitor bottle with Quicksilver High-Performance Gear Lube. When oil
starts to run out the vent hole (gear lube hose between drive unit and gear lube bottle
becomes filled), reinsert vent plug. Torque to 40 lb-in. (4 Nm).
10. Fill gear lube monitor to ?FULL? line on decal. Lubricate O-ring seal on gear lube monitor
neck with sterndrive oil, to ensure ease of installing and removing cap. Install gear lube
monitor cap. Do not overtighten"

..and yeah. Service manual #14.. the same one you just quoted. Am I reading it wrong?

 

[mark1905]

Re: Changing gear oil - Alpha1 G2 w/gear lube monitor

I see the mistake now. Both models still require the same filling method, just with the gear lube monitor models you have to make sure not to replace the vent plug until you refill the reservoir as well.

..right?


Duh.

 

[HT32BSX115]

Re: Changing gear oil - Alpha1 G2 w/gear lube monitor

Nope. You're reading it right, you're just not reading it all!


Step #5 comes before Step #8!

5. Using lubricant pump, fill drive unit through fill/drain hole with lubricant until oil is even
with bottom edge of vent hole.

You basically fill the drive the same, with or without the reservoir.

THEN (after cleaning/flushing the reservoir) you fill the reservoir as directed.

 

[HT32BSX115]

Re: Changing gear oil - Alpha1 G2 w/gear lube monitor

I see the mistake now. Both models still require the same filling method, just with the gear lube monitor models you have to make sure not to replace the vent plug until you refill the reservoir as well.

..right?


Duh.

EUREKA! (or you will "reeka" if you spill that oil on you!!!)


Cheers,


Rick