DIY Guide: Changing Penta SX-M Stern Drive Gear Oil

VIPNiSS

Cadet
Joined
Sep 7, 2012
Messages
23
Figure I help everyone out there who needs help on changing their gear oil themselves. I took pictures during my process for everyone.

First you want to take off the cover that says Volvo Penta SX. It is held on by 3 bolts.



Next you will want to remove the drain bolt at the bottom of the stern. It is a flat head bolt. Make sure you have something underneath to catch the oil.



Next remove the fill flat head screw from inside the cover that you took off. This will allow the oil to drain easier with air flow.



Also unscrew the dip stick at the top.



Make sure your trim is all the way down to allow the oil to drain. Set something underneath to catch the oil. Just leave it there and let is drain until it stops or slowly drips. I let is sit there for a good 15-20 mins.

Once that is done then you want to pump new oil to the top. I have a oil pump that you screw in to the bleeder bolt at the bottom to pump the oil up. Any marine store will have this and I even saw walmart had it.



Start slowly pumping oil into the stern unit slowly. Do not pump too quick or you will get unwanted air in your drive. You will continue to keep pumping and adding oil until it flows out of the middle bolt you took out from behind the cover. When you see oil coming out this means it should be full.



Screw that bolt in and dip stick as well.

Then unscrew the pump at the bottom and install the drain bolt back in. Mine took about 2.5 quarts. Clean and wipe everything down and your done. After taking it out the first time I would recheck the dipstick to make sure everything is still ok. Congrats! you saved some money!
 

Shark_bait99

Petty Officer 3rd Class
Joined
May 9, 2012
Messages
96
Re: DIY Guide: Changing Penta SX-M Stern Drive Gear Oil

Thank you! I am going to try it on Friday!
Just a word of advice, don't over tighten the dipstick or the oil level plug! The upper gear housing cover (where the dipstick screws in) can strip. 50-70 inch lbs.
 

puff tentacle

Petty Officer 3rd Class
Joined
Dec 30, 2008
Messages
86
Re: DIY Guide: Changing Penta SX-M Stern Drive Gear Oil

Can you tell me how I change the gear oil on my XDP drives, they are different
 
Joined
Oct 21, 2012
Messages
61
Re: DIY Guide: Changing Penta SX-M Stern Drive Gear Oil

Great guide! Use synthetic Volvo Penta gear oil (1141679 75W-90 Synthetic 3 qts $46.86). Use new o-rings on fittings and plugs drain 3855081 $1.05, fill 3855081 $1.05, and dipstick 3852045 $1.00. Check old oil for water and metals.
 
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