Help-OMC 5.0 Gear Oil dipstick screw stuck

[papichuloy2k]

Hi everyone,

I thank you for all the wealth of information that you all provide collectively. I am a first boat owner and purchased a 89 Bayliner 5.0 OMC Cobra. I have tested already a couple of times and I have done the basic maintenance; however, I would like to change the outdrive gear oil. I went to the marine shop and recommended Sierra Premium Blend Gear oil at $11.00 per bottle. I am handy with tools, so after reading a lot in this forum I am decided to task that chore.

The problem: I have not been able to remove the upper screw that has a dipstick. I applied W40 a few hours ago and I still cannot remove the screw on top. Luckily, I have not drain it yet. I have a good size screwdriver that fits in the slot, and I have tried to break the torque with a locking plier. Is there a trick to remove it? If not, I will have to take it to the marine shop to have it remove, but my budget is really tight right now (one income, three kids, etc). In fact, the boat and the trip to the lake was going to be our vacation time due to the scarce budget.

Also, what type of engine is? I think that is a Ford 302 but I am not sure. Also, is it a regular Cobra or King Cobra? Is is Electric shift? I ask because I was going to but Quicksilver High Performance but is said that was not recommended for electric shifter, so that is why I choose Sierra as per the Marine Mechanic.

And lastly, should I stick with the Sierra blend gear oil? It says for marine grade 90, or should I use the only one available that is the Quicksilver High Performance?

Please help and I am sorry for my ignorance.

This is the stubborn screw:

Engine View:

Thank you in advance for your valuable help,

~J

 

[Bulbash]

Re: Help-OMC 5.0 Gear Oil dipstick screw stuck

You can undo 4 bolts around that screw and the whole cover will come off. Then you can drill screw out or buy new cover...

 

[sam60]

Re: Help-OMC 5.0 Gear Oil dipstick screw stuck

It looks like the dipstick slot is hammered by the PO(s).

Until I find or make another one, i have to use a chisel and hammer on and off to get mine to turn. You may need to do the same.

Undoing them 4 bolts may get you into something more than you want to deal with to just check the fluid level.

 

[bonzoscott]

Re: Help-OMC 5.0 Gear Oil dipstick screw stuck

You can try a manual hammer type impact screw driver to loosen the dip stick. I would start with light taps and gradually increase the force. I'm not sure what that dip stick is made of.

 

[chrisrooter]

Re: Help-OMC 5.0 Gear Oil dipstick screw stuck

This is the screw with dipstick on it and is used for checking and topping off. DO NOT REFILL from here complete unit. If you dont know how to refill correctly Cobra, search threads. As for the stubborn screw. Take a thin grinding wheel or hacksaw blade and cut deeper into screw head. you will then be able to insert wide screwdriver tip deeper and maybe you wont pop out of screw when trying to loosen. also, a wide flat tip chisel will fit in there then, you have some leverage with vise grips or other device to help turn the chisel. if you fubar the screw, you can always replace it, but ofcourse you need it out to do that. maybe some p/o put locktight on it?

 

[papichuloy2k]

Re: Help-OMC 5.0 Gear Oil dipstick screw stuck

This is the screw with dipstick on it and is used for checking and topping off. DO NOT REFILL from here complete unit. If you dont know how to refill correctly Cobra, search threads. As for the stubborn screw. Take a thin grinding wheel or hacksaw blade and cut deeper into screw head. you will then be able to insert wide screwdriver tip deeper and maybe you wont pop out of screw when trying to loosen. also, a wide flat tip chisel will fit in there then, you have some leverage with vise grips or other device to help turn the chisel. if you fubar the screw, you can always replace it, but ofcourse you need it out to do that. maybe some p/o put locktight on it?

Thanks for the warning, I have been spending quite sometime on this forum just soaking up knowledge. I am familiar with the Cobra method which differs from the Mercury method. You all collectively prevented me from tearing up the top gears.

I love this forum!!

 

[papichuloy2k]

Re: Help-OMC 5.0 Gear Oil dipstick screw stuck

Thank you all for the lightning speed responses. It was nice to wake up with an array of ideas from Iboat forum members eager to help a brother in need. I will try the hammer and chisel method. I grinded the tip of the chisel to make it fit in the screw slot. The I soaked the screw with PB Blaster overnight hoping to give out a little.

If I take the four screws off, where do I get a replacement cover, new gaskets andthe screw with a dipstick? where do I get the plastic washers or o rings from to replace the worn outs (if any)? and lastly, what type of engine my bayliner has? Ford or Chevy? 302? Is it a King Cobra or just a Cobra? Is it an electric shifter? Before I shift forward or reverse I have to depress a safety switch in the throttle lever, so I do not know if this makes it electrical or no?

Sorry my friends...first time boat owners and I have earned the rookie status. Thanks again for the insight and good ideas, so I will let know you know if the hammer/chisel worked..

 

[airdvr1227]

Re: Help-OMC 5.0 Gear Oil dipstick screw stuck

Mine is the same way. I was able to get mine loose using an oversized screwdriver. If I recall isn't there a washer that is supposed to be replaced?

 

[papichuloy2k]

Re: Help-OMC 5.0 Gear Oil dipstick screw stuck

It looks like the dipstick slot is hammered by the PO(s).

Until I find or make another one, i have to use a chisel and hammer on and off to get mine to turn. You may need to do the same.

Undoing them 4 bolts may get you into something more than you want to deal with to just check the fluid level.

True, although I just want to change the gear oil/fluid though from the lower port (starboard), pump into the middle (Cobra method) and top-off from the dipstick..(if I can get it off).

Where do I get replacement gaskets for this cover?

Thank you for your warning,

~J
Rookie/Noobs boat owner

 

[airdvr1227]

Re: Help-OMC 5.0 Gear Oil dipstick screw stuck

Mine is the same way. I was able to get mine loose using an oversized screwdriver. If I recall isn't there a washer that is supposed to be replaced? Also, there is a screw underneath the round Cobra emblems on each side of the drive. DO NOT remove the screw under the emblem.

 

[papichuloy2k]

Re: Help-OMC 5.0 Gear Oil dipstick screw stuck

Mine is the same way. I was able to get mine loose using an oversized screwdriver. If I recall isn't there a washer that is supposed to be replaced?

As per Danond (Iboat Forum Member)
http://forums.iboats.com/omc-i-o-in...obra-outdrive-dip-stick-need-help-328095.html

Re: Unable to remove Cobra outdrive dip stick - need help



If there's an o-ring in there, then you have the wrong seal. Those use a nylon washer. You can get them at any Bombardier dealer.

Your drive lube should be drained and refilled every season.

 

[papichuloy2k]

Re: Help-OMC 5.0 Gear Oil dipstick screw stuck

Mine is the same way. I was able to get mine loose using an oversized screwdriver. If I recall isn't there a washer that is supposed to be replaced? Also, there is a screw underneath the round Cobra emblems on each side of the drive. DO NOT remove the screw under the emblem.

No, I won't. Although it seems that the screw on the port side has been messed with. No emblem and seems to been chiseled out too. The emblem on the starboard is still intact.

Thank you!

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Help-OMC 5.0 Gear Oil dipstick screw stuck

Your engine is a Chevy since the distributor is in the rear.

Replace all the washers on all the drain/fill plugs everytime you change your gear oil.

You have the regular Cobra. I used to use the Mobil1 GL5 75W90 in my Cobra and continue to use the same in my Volvo SX.
http://www.amazon.com/Mobil-104361-...TF8&qid=1365008129&sr=8-1&keywords=mobil1+gl5
You can find this at most autoparts stores.

You can go here to get part numbers and prices on parts:
OMC Stern Drive Parts by Year 1968 to 1998

What I used to use on the stubborn screw is the largest screwdriver I could find and turn it with a vise grip. I would first straighten out the screw slot with a dremel tool so the screwdriver doesn't slip out of the slot.

 

[Levinz11]

Re: Help-OMC 5.0 Gear Oil dipstick screw stuck

I second the hand-held impact driver. When I first changed my outdrive oil my fill plug was in there pretty good.

 

[papichuloy2k]

Re: Help-OMC 5.0 Gear Oil dipstick screw stuck

Bruce: Thank you for clarifying that is a Chevy. All this time I though it was a Ford 302. Is this Chevy a 305 or 350? Anyway, I was not able to turn the screw. I took the four bolts and to my dismay I found milky fluid and a few shavings. I will post the pictures in this thread.

Once again, thank you for taking the time to post.

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Help-OMC 5.0 Gear Oil dipstick screw stuck

Pull the drive to see if you have water in the bellows. Water in the bellows will allow water into the drive. If no water, you need to pressure test the drive.

You can't tell by looking at a picture of the engine to know what it is. You will need to find an OMC model number or an engine casting number to see what you have.

 

[papichuloy2k]

Re: Help-OMC 5.0 Gear Oil dipstick screw stuck

All,

I was not able to turn the screw, so I took all four bolts out. It seems that they put some kind of hexicoil because I found a few shaving on the thread of bolts. Those bolts were not tight at all.

Shavings on the threads

level of oil that I found:

Bad news??? Milky oil but towards the end of the draining..

 

[papichuloy2k]

Re: Help-OMC 5.0 Gear Oil dipstick screw stuck

These are the shavings from the oil/screw plug that I wiped off..

Condition of the gears:

Is this okay for recreational boating/fishing in a lake or river? Since I have the pictures taking, I will write up a DIY OMC Cobra gear oil change for the future noobs like me.

Off I go to try to get the gaskets and Happy Boating my friends!

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Help-OMC 5.0 Gear Oil dipstick screw stuck

The milkiness is not as bad as I expected it to be. Definitely pull the drive though to make sure there isn't water in the bellows.

Buy an alignment bar on Ebay to check your alignment as well.

The shavings on the threads was probably just dried up sealer/permagasket type material. I wouldn't worry about that.

 

[papichuloy2k]

Re: Help-OMC 5.0 Gear Oil dipstick screw stuck

Bruceb58, you just gave me a new word to add in my vocabulary...bellows. Another one that I just learn is springers. I will do a search on the suggestions you gave me. Additionally, I will find a OMC number/casting to find out.

Thanks a lot and feel free to suggest.