Do I need to change the outdrive oil?

[89 VIP Valiant]

Hello, would like to know what everyone thinks here, I own an 89 VIP Valiant with the 4.3L OMC Cobra outdrive. I serviced it all properly last winter; aligned it, changed outdrive oil, greased the gimbal and u-joints, checked bellows, new impeller, ect. I put maybe 10-15 hours on the boat this summer, and I already have it winterized. My question is, with so little usage this year, do I really need to change my outdrive oil this year? I did check it at the dipstick, and it looks good, nice and purple (Royal Purple fluid). Any opinions? I know that in a perfect world I should, I just wonder with such little use, do I really need to? Thanks for any input, this forum is invaluable!

 

[ErieRon]

Re: Do I need to change the outdrive oil?

At the very least, drain some and check it for water. If it were me, I'd change it.

 

[Gary H NC]

Re: Do I need to change the outdrive oil?

At the very least, drain some and check it for water. If it were me, I'd change it.

Agree, If any water is in it you will find it at the bottom plug.
Never hurts to check before freezing temps hit.

Royal Purple in a Cobra...Thats interesting.

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Do I need to change the outdrive oil?

I would. Any moisture that is in there should not be sitting in there for another year.

 

[89 VIP Valiant]

Re: Do I need to change the outdrive oil?

Thanks for your input guys, I do appreciate it! Looks like I will be changing the oil, I hadn't really thought about the water, if any, being trapped at the bottom of the unit, so changing does make good sense. And Gary, yes, I run Royal Purple gear oil in it. Another person on the forum told me to use it last year, and from everything I have ever read on Royal Purple, it is very good stuff.

 

[cr2k]

Re: Do I need to change the outdrive oil?

Huh? Part of winterizing is changing all the fluids.

Any water in there over winter will either freeze and do damage or at the very least rust bearings and corrode housings.

Don't use full synthetic as it will not hold moisture and any water WILL drop to the bottom and rust and corrode parts. A syn blend is best.

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Do I need to change the outdrive oil?

Don't use full synthetic as it will not hold moisture and any water WILL drop to the bottom and rust and corrode parts. A syn blend is best.

I guess Volvo is wrong to suggest using a full synthetic!

If anything, I would rather a little water drop to the bottom rather than be be emulsified. What better way to have water on every moving part and bearing in the drive besides ruining the lubrication qualities of the oil. The water seperating from the oil is a good thing...not a bad thing.

You also want to pull the drive, check alignment, check for water in the bellows, check u-joints and check the gimbal bearing. You always want to do this yearly as well.

 

[89 VIP Valiant]

Re: Do I need to change the outdrive oil?

Thanks Bruce, that does bring up another question; when I winterized last year, I did all the inspection and greasing that you recommended. However, getting the drive re-installed was a total b**ch. The U-joints kept wanting to swivel on me, and it was terrible for me and a buddy to get the splines aligned into the coupler properly. I did do an alignment prior to reinstalling with the tool, and it was out of alignment in a bad way (had just reinstalled the motor). So, my question is, should it have been that hard for me to reinstall the outdrive? No, i did not build a stand for it on wheels, but was thinking about doing so this year. However, I was a little concerned that maybe I did not have it aligned properly, and that is why it so tough to get the oudrive back in. What do you guys think?

 

[Knightgang]

Re: Do I need to change the outdrive oil?

When it comes to fluids, when in doubt, change them...