Gear Lube

[skibo84]

First off, boat stats: 1988 Mercruiser 4.3L (175 hp) w/ Alpha One Unit

Last week I changed my gear lube for the winter. i drained the old out and then started to pump in the new. I then realized the new stuff was gold in color but the old was green. I then looked at the bottle and saw that I was putting in Quicksilver Gear Lube (designed for outboards). Is this going to affect anything? Should change the stuff back out or since my unit is old anyway, its still probably better then what was in it out of the factory? Thanks.

 

[NelsonQ]

Re: Gear Lube

I don't know the recommend oils for outdrives like yours so hopefully someone else will chime in on that part.

The green vs gold is normal. Its simply oil that has been used and by your comments, not changed in a long time.

If you live in a climate where you winterize your boat and use it regular (not hundreds of hours a year) then you should change this gear lube on a yearly basis (that should be adequate).

What you're looking for in the old oil is no water indicating a leak (would be milky/whitish). Greenish is fine. Also check for metal in the oil. A few small fillings is normal, large amounts, etc are a sign of something either failed or failing.

 

[skibo84]

Re: Gear Lube

dont know if anyone could figure this out, but my boat in an Inboard.

 

[NelsonQ]

Re: Gear Lube

dont know if anyone could figure this out, but my boat in an Inboard.

Your description indicates it's an inboard.

Here is a link I found that makes me believe the outboard gear oil (premium gear lube) is for outboards only.

Their high performance gear lube is for outboards and sterndrives.

I don't know the difference enough (nor have I run a sterndrive) to say it would be acceptable.

Here is a link indicating oils and gear lubes from Mercury which leads me to believe you should run the high performance stuff.

What I did notice, is not to mix them.

 

[Mikefc626]

Re: Gear Lube

Personally, I'd redo it. You can either pay the $15 or so, at the same time giving you peace of mind, or you can pay the thousands to rework/replace the components of the lower unit should there actually be a problem w/ mixing them (there is residual oil still in the drive).

I know that sounds like a line straight out of the dealership rip-off manual for pushing more product, but that's what I would do if it was me.

The old oil was green because it was used up and needed to be changed. The new should be blue.

 

[Gary H NC]

Re: Gear Lube

The color depends on the brand.Some are green,blue or just clear,yellow tinted lube.Put in what the owners manual calls for.

 

[Don S]

Re: Gear Lube

First off, boat stats: 1988 Mercruiser 4.3L (175 hp) w/ Alpha One Unit

You have an IO, not an inboard.
Here is the service manual for your outdrive. When it opens, scroll to the outline and click on the Section letter you want to save to your computer.

http://www-alt.mercurymarine.com/mnetdata/SERVICE/CRUISER/Servmanl/6/6covr3.pdf

If you don't know the what's / why's / and/or if's of what to use for gear oil. Use the OEM recommended brand. It's in the above manual link.