Is my mechanic serious??

[kanz]

I am getting ready to winterize my boat. I usually do it myself but this year I wanted the boat yard to do it. I have always left the outdrives on and never had a problem with them in the winter. The boat is a 2004 sea ray with twin 350's. Well the mechanic tells me I have to take off the outdrives to properly install the outdrive oil, and if i dont there is a very good chance i will have air pockets in the outdrive and it wont fill properly. Now dont get me wrong but isnt that why there is a vent screw on the outdrive so this wont happen. I think he is pulling my leg, Am i correct? Thanks,

jimmy

 

[Don S]

Re: Is my mechanic serious??

Well the mechanic tells me I have to take off the outdrives to properly install the outdrive oil, and if i dont there is a very good chance i will have air pockets in the outdrive and it wont fill properly.

You really need to find another mechanic.

I would definetly recommend pulling the drive to check alignment, lube the ujoints, and check the bellows for water and basically give everything a good look so water doesn't ruin a lot of expensive parts.
But to pull it to fill prperly is a bunch of BS.

 

[jaxnjil]

Re: Is my mechanic serious??

I think he is pulling my leg,


yes

 

[ntheyer]

Re: Is my mechanic serious??

I'm not the end all, be all, all knowing maharajah, BUT, I've never had a problem filling an outdrive while installed.??? The shop manual says that's the way to do it.

You do have to fill from the bottom though while leaving the top vent screw open... Don't fill from the top down.

There is a screw at the bottom of the front of the leg. That's where you pump the oil up into the leg until oil comes out of the top vent.

I'm assuming you know this, but just making sure.

I think he's either full of crap, or looking to make some extra money off of you, or following some wive's tale.

Don't pull the drive just to fill it with oil.

Pull it because you want to check bellows, gimbal bearing, alignment, etc.

 

[TilliamWe]

Re: Is my mechanic serious??

You really need to find another mechanic.

I would definetly recommend pulling the drive to check alignment, lube the ujoints, and check the bellows for water and basically give everything a good look so water doesn't ruin a lot of expensive parts.
But to pull it to fill prperly is a bunch of BS.

I agree with this all except for the lube the u-joints. A 2004 Alpha or Bravo won't have greasable joints, will it Don?
But any mechanic that says the reason to remove the drive is to properly fill it with oil is a moron at best and a crook at worst! I wouldn't let him anywhere near my boat!

 

[newport dave]

Re: Is my mechanic serious??

Yeah, complete BS.

For what it's worth, the way I change drive lube is to lower the drive, pull the lower drain plug and let the thing drain for about an hour, including the drive lube reservoir (take the cap off the reservoir).

Then using a pressurized can (converted 2 gal insecticide spray can from Home Depot), I connect to the lower drain plug and pump up the pressure in the can. I open the valve and then jump in the boat watching the drive lube reservoir. As soon as it starts to fill, I jump down and shut it off. Then you replace the lower plug (with a new gasket) and top off the reservoir. I never touch the upper drain/vent plug.

 

[JustJason]

Re: Is my mechanic serious??

yep its all BS.....

Hey Dave.... the bug sprayer really works???? i mean does it really create enough pressure to get oil up to the resivoir?

 

[Don S]

Re: Is my mechanic serious??

yep its all BS.....

Hey Dave.... the bug sprayer really works???? i mean does it really create enough pressure to get oil up to the resivoir?

Well, I'm not Dave, but yes they do, quite nicely I might add. Takes a little adapting on the end, but I think you can figure that out fairly easy.

 

[Tail_Gunner]

Re: Is my mechanic serious??

I think he is pulling my leg,


yes

Nope both of them as stated above....

 

[180shabah]

Re: Is my mechanic serious??

does this crook also pull the engine to change that oil??????

 

[newport dave]

Re: Is my mechanic serious??

yep its all BS.....

Hey Dave.... the bug sprayer really works???? i mean does it really create enough pressure to get oil up to the resivoir?

Yeah, as Don said it works great. If you need any details on adapting one let me know.

 

[Dshow]

Re: Is my mechanic serious??

The bug sprayer idea sound like a good one. Please give us details on the adapter. I take it your pressurizing the quart of oil your pumping from or the drive itself?

Thanks-

 

[Don S]

Re: Is my mechanic serious??

Dshow
It would be a good idea to start a new thread on this subject if you want details. Let's not hijack his thread completely with this subject.

 

[Dshow]

Re: Is my mechanic serious??

No problem...