Oh - You want to know the secret part of lube change?
Here it is;
-1) Open a fresh beer
1) Tear off about a dozen paper towels. I prefer Pic -A-Size Bounty.
2) Using trailer jack and trim, adjust until the lower unit drain is the lowest part of the lower.
3) Position the drain pan.
4) Remove the drain screw and quickly reposition the pan if needed. It almost always is needed
5) Remove the vent screw and quickly reposition the pan if needed. It almost always is needed.
6) Wipe any mess and clean the vent and drain holes while checking for old stuck gaskets in the holes. Wipe the beer can.
7) Put new gaskets on both screws.
8) Screw the lube pump adapter in the drain, now the fill hole.
9) Adjust trailer jack and trim until the lower unit is horizontal.
10) Pump in the new lube until it starts to ooze out of the vent. Wait a few ticks and pump in a little more insurance lube.
11) Wipe around the vent hole and install the vent screw.
The secret part starts now;
12) Tear off more paper towels. I always underestimate the 1st time.
13) Put the drain/fill screw on the AV plate so it's close.
14) With my left thumb next to the lube pump adapter, remove the adapter and slide my thumb over the hole.
15) Pick up the drain/fill screw off the AV plate with my right hand.
16) Take a deep breath, count 1-2-3 and quickly slide my thumb off the hole and the drain/fill into the hole and thread it by hand.
17) Snug up the drain/fill screw and recheck the snugness of the vent screw.
18) Wipe everything up, including the can of beer.
19) Using a funnel, pour the drain pan lube into my 5 qt. jug.
20) Wipe everything up, including the beer can, drain pan and ground if I happened to kick the jug over before I get the lid on.
21) Check for leaking drain/fill/vent screws.
22) Open another beer. By this time you need to relax after completing another successful lube change.
23) Fill up a garbage bag with beer cans, dripping paper towels, paper towel rolls and empty lube bottles.
Heck yeah I still make a mess. But beer helps, just wait a while until the BA drops to legal limits before towing the boat or getting on the water. Better yet, go boating tomorrow and you can check for new lube drips in the morning.
