lower unit lube question

[milom]

I've been using a hi-visc non synthetic lube in my lower unit for a couple years now and was wondering if it would be alright to drain it and use a synthentic type lube (Mercury brand) instead. The motor is a 1999 Johnson 90 hp. I'm asking because I think I read somewhere it was not good to mix a synthetic and non-synthetic lube. Remember I am draining the old lube so will there even be enough of the old lube left to even worry about the mixing problem.<br /><br />Thank in advance

 

[Dhadley]

Re: lower unit lube question

Thats one of the first things I do to any newly acquired outboard we buy. With exactly what you want to use. No problem. You have a green light!

 

[milom]

Re: lower unit lube question

Okay thanks Dhadley<br /><br />Also I've always used a pump that fits quart bottles when changing the lube but it quit working and now have 2 of the squeeze type tubes of lube to use and was wondering what the eaisest way to get the lube in is. My motor manual says to put the lube in through the bottom hole but it seems like it would be eaiser putting it in through the top one.<br /><br />Thanks

 

[Dhadley]

Re: lower unit lube question

Nope. If you put it in the top youll trap air and only get a few oz in. We use pump up pressure cans a lot like garden bug/weed killer spray cans you see at a hardware store.<br /><br />You can squeeze it in from the bottom but youll lose some switching bottles. Any way you look at it, it can be a messy job. But you definately want it going in from the bottom.

 

[milom]

Re: lower unit lube question

I thought something like that might happen. To bad they can't figure out a eaiser/less messy way to get the lue in.<br /><br />Thanks again

 

[itstippy]

Re: lower unit lube question

Sqeeze tubes are a mess. Open them both so they're ready to go, and have your top and bottom plugs ready to go with new washers. Before you start squeezing the first tube in the bottom hole prop the other nearby so you can reach it easy. Ditto with the plugs. After you get the first tube squoze in put your finger over the top hole before you remove the tube. That helps keep the oil from googling out too quickly because it causes an air trap (vacuum). With your other hand remove the first tube, grab the ready-to-go second tube, insert it and start squeezing. Do the same trick when you've got the lower unit full - put your finger over the top hole, screw in the lower plug finger-tight, then you can take you finger off the top hole. It's still messy, but it helps.

 

[Paul Moir]

Re: lower unit lube question

Get one of these little pumps that fit right on a regular oil bottle:<br />

<br />They run $5-$12 CDN here depending on where you get them. I think Iboats even sells them. While you're at it, pick up a 3/8" NC (16 TPI) acorn nut so you can thread that over the pump's lower unit fitting when it's not in use, preventing contamination of the oil in the pump. Then you never have to clean it.

 

[koolerb]

Re: lower unit lube question

I couldn't remember how I serviced the lower unit from the bottom last time so I tried servicing from the top. Seemed to work. My 60 hp OMC took about 20oz of fluid which was right on according to the manual.