Gear lube and gasket material

[WIMUSKY]

Re: Gear lube and gasket material

Why change it again? The old oil didn't drain completely out. I drained out all that I could. It drained overnight but after moving the boat into my garage, more slowly trickled out (just a little).

I think the old oil mixed with the new oil.

That's why "I" would change it again. Looking at your pix it appears to have moisture in it. It may be from the old oil. Will it do any harm? More than likely not. But I would still want my oil looking cleaner than what's in the gearcase now. JMO....

 

[classiccat]

Re: Gear lube and gasket material

if you do drain it again, before refilling it, a pressure / vacuum test wouldn't be a bad idea. good for determining if you have bad seal(s) and which seal(s)/gasket(s) are bad. LU will have to be dropped to check the driveshaft, shift seal, etc...if it is keeping pressure/vacuum then you don't have to drop anything. :joyous:

 

[boobie]

Re: Gear lube and gasket material

Pressure/vacuum test is the way to go. Takes all the guess work out of where it is leaking or not.

 

[CaneCutter79]

Re: Gear lube and gasket material

You need a special tool for the vaccume test right?

I agree with the point above of wanting oil cleaner. Sorry......I'm nearing my wits end on spending money on this motor. I thought it would be good now but it looks as if I'm slowly chasing all the old stuff out. One thing at a time and that's expensive

 

[jim j geezer]

Re: Gear lube and gasket material

I disagree.

SHOTGUNNING - doing a buncha stuff at the same time is expensive. Also, a "shotgun" approach will tend to allow whatever problem(s) to remain masked.

One thing at a time is the way to go.

 

[CaneCutter79]

Re: Gear lube and gasket material

I looked in my manual and found some methods online for making your own pressure gauge. Seems easy enough and testing the gear case is simple. I agree, this is the best step. Thanks guys.

 

[classiccat]

Re: Gear lube and gasket material

check out Mityvac...affordable & does both pressure/vacuum

... and supposedly good for bleeding brakes (although my neighbor and a six pack is still a cheaper option :laugh

 

[CaneCutter79]

Re: Gear lube and gasket material

check out Mityvac...affordable & does both pressure/vacuum

... and supposedly good for bleeding brakes (although my neighbor and a six pack is still a cheaper option :laugh

Thanks. I found one at Harbor Freight for $35 on sale and the HF version for $25. Heck of a deal really. I couldn't make one any cheaper than this. VERY good suggestion!

Brake Bleeder and Vacuum Pump Kit

 

[CaneCutter79]

Re: Gear lube and gasket material

Just to follow-up/close out this thread, I tested the lower unit with both pressure and vacuum. I used the brake bleeder posted above for vacuum and cut the valve stem off of a bicycle inner tube and insterted it into the end of one of the clear hoses from the bleeder kit to make a pressure test. I used a bicycle tire pump to supply the air for the pressure test as it does not take much air to get to 15psi.

Both vacuum and pressure tested good with no leak for over 30mins at 15psi and then 20psi for a worst case scenario for even the smallest leak. I believe I should stop worrying about a leak and fill it up with new lube and learn to let it go for a while. I will be using Royal Purple synthetic gear lube. I've heard really good things about it and I have good experience with Royal Purple in my vehicles.

I have a new seals kit on stand by in case anything does start leaking (thanks to Mastertech.com) so thank you all for your help with my questions and issues. I feel much better knowing I tested the lower unit and it passed.