Is this Gear Oil OK for my lower unit?

[Rudderman]

It says "Duckhams Gear Oil".<br />The specs on the bottle read:<br /><br />SAE 75W-90<br />For Manual Transmissions<br />API GL 1-5<br />Part-synthetic multigrade gear oil<br /><br />It stinks like a dead cat....<br /><br />Its for my '98 Yammy 15hp 4 stroke

 

[LubeDude]

Re: Is this Gear Oil OK for my lower unit?

Only because it is a partial synthetic Im going to say "probably". Im not familiar with this oil. I would doubt whether it would actually do any damage. MHO.

 

[Rudderman]

Re: Is this Gear Oil OK for my lower unit?

Thanks for replying.<br />It also says "synthetic based".<br />Suitable for use in manual gearboxes, transaxles and final drives where API GL 1, 2, 3 or 4 is specified. Can replace standard viscosities of 75W, 80W or 90W, including multigrades (ie. 80W-90W)<br />Contains (Substituted thiadiazole)

 

[DJ]

Re: Is this Gear Oil OK for my lower unit?

No,<br /><br />Use a marine applicable 80W-90. The lube you describe does not contain water shedding properties.

 

[Rudderman]

Re: Is this Gear Oil OK for my lower unit?

Hmmmm its probably not worth the risk

 

[petrolhead]

Re: Is this Gear Oil OK for my lower unit?

My manual says definitely not to use auto gear lube, it expands and foams, proper outboard lube is designed not to and it's cheap enough.<br />If the lube expands it could damage seals, and if it works it's way past the seals, when the remaining lube cools and contracts it will suck in air or water.

 

[Rudderman]

Re: Is this Gear Oil OK for my lower unit?

Would you believe it? I will have to drive 60 miles to get "marine" gear oil. Both of my local dealers (one is Yamaha, one is Mercury) say that they don't even stock the "marine" gear oil. They say they always recommend ordinary gear oil. One of them reasoned...if water gets into your lower unit, then its not gonna make any difference what kind of oil you have. This guy has been doing Mercury outboards for 5 years and did yamaha ones before that for about 15 years......does he know what hes talking about?

 

[LubeDude]

Re: Is this Gear Oil OK for my lower unit?

Most any GL5 Synthetic based gear oil will have plenty of anti foaming additives to deal with the foaming issue, as to the other aditives for water intrusion, synthetics do that on there own. Go ahead and use it and keep an eye on it after every use, people should do this anyway. You have it, go ahead and use it. The problem with automotive oils are the foaming issue and you will get arguments about if that is even a problem. If you are concerned, change it a couple times this season.

 

[bryanredfish]

Re: Is this Gear Oil OK for my lower unit?

Just bite the bullet and make a long trip to get some "real" gear lube. It's not worth the risk. Be sure to get one with a strong water emulsent. I have a preference for Mercury Gear Lube Plus. I don't mean to be a jerk, but if your going to try to cut costs, the lubrication (gear lube, 2-stroke oil) is not the place to do it.

 

[LubeDude]

Re: Is this Gear Oil OK for my lower unit?

The only thing the marine specific gear oils will go is allow the water to separate after you let the oil sit for awhile, It dosnt protect any better. If he checks it everytime he uses the boat for moisture he will be fine. The foaming issue is the most important thing to be worried about. If there is moisture, he needs to fix the problem and change it anyway.

 

[Rudderman]

Re: Is this Gear Oil OK for my lower unit?

Yes I think I'll go ahead and use the ordinary stuff, change it often and keep an eye out for water contamination in the lower unit. I suppose its a good habit to check the lower unit frequently anyway.

 

[DJ]

Re: Is this Gear Oil OK for my lower unit?

And, stay away from that dealer.<br /><br />I suspect he's using what he does to pad his profit margin. I'll bet the factories would like to see what was used on warranty claims.

 

[Rudderman]

Re: Is this Gear Oil OK for my lower unit?

Hmmm guys you sure know how to confuse someone!<br /> I will use the oil for the time being, but next time I'm at a "proper" marine outlet, I'll stock up on the real stuff.

 

[LubeDude]

Re: Is this Gear Oil OK for my lower unit?

Chances are the oil you have is better than the regular Marine gear oil anyway, but for your ability to sleep at night it may be worth it.

 

[dajohnson53]

Re: Is this Gear Oil OK for my lower unit?

Originally posted by Rudderman:<br /> Would you believe it? I will have to drive 60 miles to get "marine" gear oil. Both of my local dealers (one is Yamaha, one is Mercury) say that they don't even stock the "marine" gear oil. They say they always recommend ordinary gear oil. One of them reasoned...if water gets into your lower unit, then its not gonna make any difference what kind of oil you have. This guy has been doing Mercury outboards for 5 years and did yamaha ones before that for about 15 years......does he know what hes talking about?

You don't need a boat shop to find marine gear oil. I don't know where you live, but have you looked for marine gear oil at local hardware or multi-department stores (e.g. True value hardware, sentry hardware, walmart, kmart, target, fred meyer, fleet n farm, Holiday, etc?). I buy my marine gear oil at the local Sentry hardware, WalMart or Fred Meyer store when I need to. I can also often find it at gas stations, near whatever 2 cycle oil they happen to sell. There's generic, national brands, and store brands of marine gear oil just as for other lubricants. I figure any bonafide marine gear oil is OK, but then again, I'm only using it in a little 9.8 hp kicker.

 

[Rudderman]

Re: Is this Gear Oil OK for my lower unit?

I live in Ireland so unfortunately there are no big department stores here. I'd have to travel to Dublin or Belfast to find a reasonably sized marine outlet. And I live half way between the two, so its 60 miles either way with really bad traffic!

 

[lakelover]

Re: Is this Gear Oil OK for my lower unit?

How about Tech marine lower unit lube? If most say that the outboard Tech oil is good, why not the lower unit grease? You must have a Wal Mart near you? Doesn't everybody? <br /><br />

Originally posted by Rudderman:<br /> Hmmm guys you sure know how to confuse someone!<br /> I will use the oil for the time being, but next time I'm at a "proper" marine outlet, I'll stock up on the real stuff.

 

[petrolhead]

Re: Is this Gear Oil OK for my lower unit?

Lakelover, I think you'll find that WalMart doesn't exist outside of the US, although I understand they were trying to make inroads into the UK a while back.

 

[lakelover]

Re: Is this Gear Oil OK for my lower unit?

D'OH! Sorry, I didn't notice his location, somehow skipped his post stating he lived in Ireland!! Thank God Wal Mart ISN'T everywhere! <br /><br />

Originally posted by petrolhead:<br /> Lakelover, I think you'll find that WalMart doesn't exist outside of the US, although I understand they were trying to make inroads into the UK a while back.

 

[Elmer Fudge]

Re: Is this Gear Oil OK for my lower unit?

Hi Rudderman, could'nt you buy the marine gear oil on line from the companies in Dublin or Belfast?