Re: gear oil
Never remove the vent/level or drain/fill plugs when the lower unit is hot. Expanded lubricant will be released through the hole.
Position the engine in the upright position with the motor shut off for at least 1 hour. Whenever possible, check the level overnight cold in order to get the best indication of the level without having to account for heat expansion. Place the outboard in the proper position for filling the lower unit. The lower unit should not list to either port or starboard and should be completely vertical.
Insert the lubricant tube into the oil drain hole at the bottom of the lower unit and inject lubricant until the excess begins to come out the oil level hole.
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If you look for the complex,
you will always miss the simple
Brian~