Gear Oil, change or OK to check?

[Simoniz]

Ive not used my boat all that much this year, 10 - 15 hrs or so. Is it really necessary to change the gear oil or is it sufficient to loosen the plugs and let a little drain out to check for water / oil emulsion? (Alpha 1 Gen 2 behind Merc 135hp.)

Cant help but think of my car which according to the manufacturers service schedule, never needs the gearbox oil changing. (VW Polo)

 

[racerone]

Fact----A lot of good outboard gear oil is thrown out.-----The usual comment is ---" oil is cheap , so I change it "-----That is simply because oil and how it works is not well understood.

 

[JASinIL2006]

The only thing I'd be concerned about with those few hours would be if water got into the gear lube. Pulling the lower drain valve and letting some dribble out should tell you if there are any water intrusion problems. If you don't see water or milky-colored lube coming out, you're probably OK.

I normally am a 'change oil and lube every year' kind of guy, but last year we only put a small number of hours (10-15) on the boat and I had hand surgery in September, so I didn't change the lube and engine oil. I don't plan to make a habit of that, but with gear lube especially, if it looks OK after so few hours, I wouldn't lose any sleep over it.

 

[emoney]

Saltwater = change it every year
Freshwater = check it

 

[Cortes100]

My 2 last boats had Merc Alpha's. I'd pull the bottom plug, drain a few ounces (half the remote reservoir). If all looked good, just refill the bottle and done.