Gear Oil filling trick?

Oregon Jon

Seaman
Joined
Jul 17, 2007
Messages
65
OK, I have to ask and show my true newbie colors.... According to the Clymer service manual that I have, I am supposed to refill the gear oil through the drain plug and watch the oil level hole to see when it is full. I've done that with some difficulty even getting the end of the tube to stay in the drain hole and I never did see any oil at the level hole (9 oz of gear oil on '71 'rude 18). So here are my questions:

1. Do I need to add more gear oil and if so, how do I get it in without losing most of it out the drain hole?

2. Am I really supposed to be squirting the stuff through the drain hole in the first place?

3. If I'm doing it right, is there some extra device or trick to getting the stuff in there? I never could get the whole tube in and then when I take it out I lose several ounces trying to get the drain plug back in.

I'm thinking there may be a lot of laughter out there after reading this, I can take it.:redface:
 

JB

Honorary Moderator Emeritus
Joined
Mar 25, 2001
Messages
45,907
Re: Gear Oil filling trick?

Before you remove the nozzle of the empty tube from the drain hole, replace the vent plug temporarily. That will hold all but a trivial amount of the oil in the gearcase.
 

clemsonfor

Lieutenant Junior Grade
Joined
Sep 19, 2005
Messages
1,011
Re: Gear Oil filling trick?

if you have the pump thing that goes onto the bottle just pump through the bottom untill it comes out the top vent hole, if you have a tube or buy a quart bottle also fill through the bottom, when it comes out the top do not move your bottle and put the top plug in it will hold most of it in because it can not vent throught the top so it will only trickle out not flood out. Then while drain plug is handy quickly pull the tube bottle or pump out and then screw in the plug, you probably will only loose an ounce or so. And yes 9 oz is probably not enough to fill it compleatly if it is anything but a smaller gearcase!

-Nate
 

HighTrim

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Jun 21, 2007
Messages
10,486
Re: Gear Oil filling trick?

Im just going to repeat something that clemsonfor said again. Buy the pump kit that fits on top of the oil bottle. It is well worth the money, I think i paid like 10 bucks for mine. It actually screws into the drain hole, so that it wont leak while filling. It has a pump on it that you pump until you see the oil coming out of the vent hole. Replace the vent screw then unscrew the pump and quickly put the drain screw back in. Also before you do this, make sure you have NEW gaskets for the drain and vent hole. This is the number 1 spot for water intrusion into your lower unit.GL
 

clemsonfor

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Sep 19, 2005
Messages
1,011
Re: Gear Oil filling trick?

JB is a quick typer and beat me to it, or is it that i wrote more?

-NAte
 

Scaaty

Vice Admiral
Joined
May 31, 2004
Messages
5,180
Re: Gear Oil filling trick?

Just take the tube, stick it the the drain hole, and roll it up like a tube of toothpaste..when it comes out the top, put the top plug while leaving in the tube. Vacuum will hold the oil in while ya screw in the bottom..always use new gaskets..
 

Oregon Jon

Seaman
Joined
Jul 17, 2007
Messages
65
Re: Gear Oil filling trick?

Thanks for the tip. I'll have to try and find one of those pump things. I like the sound of that - didn't have the desired results from the toothpaste roll up manuever. Maybe it takes more coordination than I have.:redface:
 

Scaaty

Vice Admiral
Joined
May 31, 2004
Messages
5,180
Re: Gear Oil filling trick?

Thanks for the tip. I'll have to try and find one of those pump things. I like the sound of that - didn't have the desired results from the toothpaste roll up manuever. Maybe it takes more coordination than I have.:redface:
Takes finesse..and about 50 years of doing it..:D
 

samo_ott

Vice Admiral
Joined
Jun 18, 2006
Messages
5,125
Re: Gear Oil filling trick?

Yes, use the pump, it works great! Also, the reason you fill from the bottom up is to ensure that there are no air bubbles trapped inside.

And btw, I have a few of those 18's and they're great 'lil engines. Great power/weight ratio.
 
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