Lower unit oil/lube

[CaneCutter79]

A) What color should lower unit oil be? Just drained mine and it was black as coal (green tint if rubbed to thin layer) and very thick consistency.

B). What oil type do I use to refill

C) I supposed to pump the oil in from the lower plug hole until the lube comes out of the top hole.

D) What pump do I use? And where can I get one to refill? I'm hoping local.

I'm pulling my carrier bearing assembly (almost done) and I will be replacing the seals only.

No.......there was no sign of water in the oil. No milky color at all. Just black, thick. I suspected it may be old and needed replacement.

Thanks to all who answer questions as iboats! The info is gold and very helpful!!

 

[Dave Brick]

Re: Lower unit oil/lube

I'm not one of the experts here, but mine is the color of honey. It's pretty high viscosity, but not quite as thick as honey. I think it's a good sign you do not appear to have water intrusion. Look for metal shavings, which is, of course, a bad sign.

Any marine shop will have bottles of lower unit oil with a little hand pump. Most good auto parts stores too.

 

[Blake0912]

Re: Lower unit oil/lube

As long as there is no water/metal shavings in the oil you should be fine. Most likely yours is so dark because it has not been changed in a while.

You can buy gear oil / a hand pump that screws on the bottle at any sporting goods store that sells marine stuff (academy) or wal Mart will sell it. I use the quicksilver synthetic gear oil in all my motors ,but the cheaper stuff like penzoil is good also just make sure it's marine grade (1 quart will work for you ) The hand pump will come with a hose and standard fitting that will fit into the bottom drain plug holes , fill it up until it comes out of the top hole. Put the screw back in the top give it another pump or two of oil quickly unscrew the oil pump tube and put the screw back in.

If it will make you feel better after you change the oil take the boat out for a run and when you get back change the oil again to make sure no water is leaking in.

 

[Joe Reeves]

Re: Lower unit oil/lube

The pure black coloring, especially if it smells really bad, is due to whale sperm oil that OMC at one time decided to add to the gearlube. It's always been a mystery to me how OMC ever got that whale to masturbate.

 

[HighTrim]

Re: Lower unit oil/lube

The pure black coloring, especially if it smells really bad, is due to whale sperm oil that OMC at one time decided to add to the gearlube. It's always been a mystery to me how OMC ever got that whale to masturbate.

Thanks for the chuckle before bed.

 

[CaneCutter79]

Re: Lower unit oil/lube

The pure black coloring, especially if it smells really bad, is due to whale sperm oil that OMC at one time decided to add to the gearlube. It's always been a mystery to me how OMC ever got that whale to masturbate.

Eewwwwwww............

And I had my hands all in that. Thanks a lot.....

I had a few shavings but nothing major. Boat is running fine and shifts fine. I'm guessing lower unit oil hasn't been changed in (don't shutter) 10yrs? I've had the boat for 3 years and its been down for 2 years.

I just had the lower unit off during a rebuild. No sign of any damage. I'll change the lube and then run it and change it again like suggested.

Thanks all!!

 

[tazrig]

Re: Lower unit oil/lube

A) What color should lower unit oil be? Just drained mine and it was black as coal (green tint if rubbed to thin layer) and very thick consistency.


B) What oil type do I use to refill

C) I supposed to pump the oil in from the lower plug hole until the lube comes out of the top hole.

D) What pump do I use? And where can I get one to refill? I'm hoping local.

I'm pulling my carrier bearing assembly (almost done) and I will be replacing the seals only.

No.......there was no sign of water in the oil. No milky color at all. Just black, thick. I suspected it may be old and needed replacement.

Thanks to all who answer questions as iboats! The info is gold and very helpful!!

To answer your questions one at a time:

A) It goes in looking like honey, usually comes out black or at least a very dark brown. (should be changed once a season at the end of the season, every season or the oil cops from this site will come to your home and arrest you for engine abuse) :laugh:

B) That would depend on what engine you have. Always go with manufactures specs. and only use Marine grade oil.

C) Yes, then put the screw in the top hole, remove the pump from the bottom hole and replace that screw.

D) One of these type will work fine:

Sierra Quart Oil Pump - iboats

 

[tazrig]

Re: Lower unit oil/lube

I had a few shavings but nothing major. Boat is running fine and shifts fine. I'm guessing lower unit oil hasn't been changed in (don't shutter) 10yrs?

Thanks all!![/QUOTE/]

Don't shutter??? 10 years??? Too late :faint2::faint2::faint2:

You might also want to get a magnetic screw for oil fill hole as this will pull any shavings away from the gears.

 

[HighTrim]

Re: Lower unit oil/lube

...and change the gaskets, every time.

 

[bonzoscott]

Re: Lower unit oil/lube

The pure black coloring, especially if it smells really bad, is due to whale sperm oil that OMC at one time decided to add to the gearlube. It's always been a mystery to me how OMC ever got that whale to masturbate.

I heard that whale sperm was used in automotive differential grease for posi-traction in the 60s/70s. First time I heard of it for marine use.

 

[seahorse5]

Re: Lower unit oil/lube

This should help

Changing Gearcase Lubricant on Evinrude and Johnson Outboards - YouTube

 

[CaneCutter79]

Re: Lower unit oil/lube

I had a few shavings but nothing major. Boat is running fine and shifts fine. I'm guessing lower unit oil hasn't been changed in (don't shutter) 10yrs?

Thanks all!![/QUOTE/]

Don't shutter??? 10 years??? Too late :faint2::faint2::faint2:
.

Yeah, tell me about it. I thought my last mechanic changed the oil 2yrs ago before the motor went down. I took it in for a tune up. I thought he told me he changed the lower unit oil as discussed. The motor went down after that so I'm just not getting it back up and running. Thus, I'm changing it now.

Good point about the magnetic screwdriver.

 

[CaneCutter79]

Re: Lower unit oil/lube

So, after having a small panic attack last night when I read "bad sign".....

A few shavings is nothing major and not a "bad sign" per say. As long as the drive is functioning without noise, shutter, etc. and there are not large chunks and just a few shavings............I'm good right?

 

[classiccat]

Re: Lower unit oil/lube

So, after having a small panic attack last night when I read "bad sign".....

A few shavings is nothing major and not a "bad sign" per say. As long as the drive is functioning without noise, shutter, etc. and there are not large chunks and just a few shavings............I'm good right?

Not to alarm you but my 35ELCTS ran beautifully with a busted pinion and forward gear.

only flakes showed-up in my oil...the large chunks were trapped in the shift-lever recess.

 

[tazrig]

Re: Lower unit oil/lube

Good point about the magnetic screwdriver.[/QUOTE]

Not a screwdriver, just the screw that goes into the gearcase.

 

[tazrig]

Re: Lower unit oil/lube

...and change the gaskets, every time.

At 2:21 AM I knew I had forgot something in my post but for the life of me couldn't remember what it was... Thanks, HighTrim! :laugh:

 

[HighTrim]

Re: Lower unit oil/lube

I suppose we will let it fly this time. Next time, iboats police will wallop you with a wooden stick.

 

[nwcove]

Re: Lower unit oil/lube

The pure black coloring, especially if it smells really bad, is due to whale sperm oil that OMC at one time decided to add to the gearlube. It's always been a mystery to me how OMC ever got that whale to masturbate.

rofl.....isnt it funny how just reversing two words ( sperm whale.....whale sperm) can make something sound soooo wrong!!!

 

[CaneCutter79]

Re: Lower unit oil/lube

I hear ya on the iboats police. :lol:

I definately want to do it right. Definately going to change my lower unit oil at least once a season if not more now that I know how easy it is and it's cheap. Well......cheaper than repair anyway.

 

[CaneCutter79]

Re: Lower unit oil/lube

Hey.........he had me going on the whale sperm........

I figured he meant sperm whale but.....ya never know. LOL!