Lower Unit Plug Gaskets

[Texasmark]

Just changed my lower unit oil today. Lotta people harp on things and bein a Texas Redneck, I like to separate fact from fiction.

When I bought my last 2 Quarts of Merc Premium lower unit oil (for high performance applications, stern drive or OB), I bought 2 sets (6 each, beins mine uses 3 per change) of blue washers, beins each change for my engine is about a quart...med gearcase '02 engine. To keep them handy, I just tied them to the neck of the oil container so I didn't have to try and remember where I put them....worked great.....I found them. Whadda deal!

So, today, to put skeptics in their proper perspective, I removed the old gaskets and examined them. Sur nuf, all 3 were compressed and had marks where the heads of the screws had been.

In short, when you drain the fluid, change the washers, each and every time.

And for what it's worth, oil was nice and black, just like it was 2 years ago when I changed it the last time. For the skeptics, book says 50 hrs Salt, 100 fresh, or annually (I'm in fresh....but the fish from salt taste better). Well I knew mine wasn't leakin and only put about 20 hrs on it in 2 years so I did it bi-annually.

My 2c, and like I said, I just paid it off; tis mine!!!!!!!

Mark

 

[AMD Rules]

Re: Lower Unit Plug Gaskets

Agree completely Mark.... change those gaskets each time. Not worth the risk. I do suggest though that you consider using the nylon style gasket instead of the paper blue ones. That way, if you ever 'need' to re-use one it will probably be ok. This allows you to loosen the plug just a wee bit to check for water periodically without fear of a torn gasket.

When I buy a new quart of oil, I remove the cap and stick the new gasket on top of the removeable foil then replace the cap. Safely tucked away for the next time I need to change the oil.

Always a good feeing to pay something off, knowing its your to keep.

Tight lines.