Gear Lube Bottle Low After Changing Lube

[Dryon]

'03 Mercuiser w/ alpha Gen2 Drive
Engine Serial #0M377480
Sterndrive Serial #0M450311

Gear lube was completely changed at the end of last summer by a dealer. Went to commission and take the boat out the first time this summer and noticed the lube bottle was at or a liitle below the ADD line. Assume the mechanic didn't fill it to the FULL line. All the stores were closed that day so decided to run it anyway and watch the bottle. After a day on the lake and as I expected, the alarm went off. I am aware that when changed the lube level will drop in the bottle as you drive for a while. If I understand correctly, this is due to some trapped air in the bottle feed tube that rises & escapes out the bottle.

My question is:
Can I just fill the lube bottle up to the FULL line, or should I open the vent screw on the outdrive before filling up the bottle so that any air in the feed tube can escape?

 

[Philster]

Re: Gear Lube Bottle Low After Changing Lube

If the bottle went bone dry, I'd add to the outdrive drive directly (from the bottom, vent cap off, etc. Standard change procedure, except y'aint draining it).

If the reserve bottle has some realistic amount of oil in it, I'd add it to the bottle, and wouldn't unscrew any vent cap and wouldn't lose a second of sleep over it, because that is what you are supposed to do.

Did you gone bone dry in the bottle (other than some residue)? Well... If so, you might want to add it right to the drive to get it right. I'd only add via the bottle if the bottle had some actual reserve oil in it. If the reserve bottle is empty, part of the drive might be empty.... ergo, add to the drive, following procedure and get the reserve filled up at the end (follow procedure for filling, burping /venting, etc).