Lower Unit Oil ?

[tommymoe2002]

First year boating since 1986. Question is I have 120 Force 1996. Ran good this year, had to rebuild the starter. When I was putting her away for the winter the lower end fluid came out gray in color. No water, just dark gray. Last year at the end of the season the other owner installed a new lower unit. My question is if the gray is ok?

 

[eurolarva]

Re: Lower Unit Oil ?

was this milky white or a dark gray. Dark gray is probably okay. Milky white would be water getting in.

 

[tommymoe2002]

Re: Lower Unit Oil ?

Eurolarva,<br />It was dark gray,Not white. It felt like oil and all of it was dark gray.

 

[eurolarva]

Re: Lower Unit Oil ?

I would just change the oil this fall and not worry about it till next year. Keep an eye on it next year to see that it dosent get worse. Rub some in your fingers to verify that there is no metal filings in it. If there is that could mean your gears are not shimmed right and they are wearing down.

 

[tommymoe2002]

Re: Lower Unit Oil ?

Eurolarva,<br />When I took the bottom srew off there was a small magnet on the screw and I found a small amount of metal filings on it. Could this be because it was new. I felt the old oil and found no metal filings. Also, the old owner replace the lower end himself. He's a friend of mine and realy does know much about mechanics. What do you think?<br />Thanks,<br />Tom

 

[eurolarva]

Re: Lower Unit Oil ?

You said "He's a friend of mine and realy does know much about mechanics" I am assuming you mean he does not know much about mechanics. If he replaced the whole lower unit that should not be a problem. If he tore the lower unit apart and replaced some things then put it back together there might be a problem. As I mentioned before keep and eye on the oil and the metal filings you see. Gear faces wear down over time. This could be natural wear. Buy a couple of quarts of lower unit oil and get a pump. They are under 10 bucks at Walmart. After each trip out remove the lower plug and let a little oil come out and keep inspecting it. The oil is lighter then water so if water is getting into the lower unit that is the first thing that will come out before the oil. If he replaced gears the issue that you are looking at is are they shimmed correctly. A manual is the best thing you can buy for this motor. It gives you breakdowns of parts and explains how to do a lot of things even if you have limited mechanical abilities. Also ask him if he replaced the impeller in the water pump when he replaced the lower unit. If not you will need to do that next spring.

 

[tommymoe2002]

Re: Lower Unit Oil ?

Thanks Eurolarva, he doesn't know much, but he replaced the whole lower unit. When I drained it I didn't see any signs of water, also I did already replace the lower unit with the new fluid. I'll tell ya in the spring how its working. I can't wait only about four and half more months. Happy Holidays, thanks for the info.<br />Tom

 

[rbruce63]

Re: Lower Unit Oil ?

Gray is not good. Make sure there are no metal particles in it, in your case it would be bronze or some seals are failing, touch the oil with your hands and if it feels like there is some particles in it take the LU to a reputable mechanic to check it. <br /><br />The LU oils should be like dark honey, gray is bad for your lower unit. Sings of trouble heading your way and probably this is a good time to have it fixed as the shops are in low season.