Is it safe

[gustafsonerik]

87 mercruiser 3.7 im having my lower unit rebuild..so what ive been doing is taking a hose putting it on the copper pipe and idling the boat why i make some adjustments on the engine is this safe??? Only ran it about 20 mins just wanted your advice

 

[achris]

Re: Is it safe

87 mercruiser 3.7 im having my lower unit rebuild..so what ive been doing is taking a hose putting it on the copper pipe and idling the boat why i make some adjustments on the engine is this safe??? Only ran it about 20 mins just wanted your advice

Do it all the time.... As long as the hose doesn't fall off, no problem at all....

 

[gustafsonerik]

Re: Is it safe

thanks i just thought running it without it mean not alot of gear lube in the top end thanks erik

 

[achris]

Re: Is it safe

Although those gears are still turning, the lube on them should be enough, as there is absolutely no load on them.....

 

[Don S]

Re: Is it safe

I wouldn't run it for more than a few minutes with no gear lube, let alone 20 minutes. There may be no load on the gears, but there is still preload on the bearings that are drying out. Pull the upper off and hook water to the thermostat housing, then you have nothing to worry about.