New Merc Gear Oil... Odd

[huntin dawg]

Hey Guys,
I did my first maintenance on my new 20 HP 4 stroke. Changed the engine oil and gear lube.

The gear lube in it from the factory was clear and really thin.

Is that something different they use for break-in of new motors?? As we all know, normal gear lube is much thicker.

Just wondering if others have encountered this with a new Merc.

Thanks,
HD

 

[Georgesalmon]

Re: New Merc Gear Oil... Odd

I have a new merc 9.9 four stroke. I checked the lower unit oil before I ran it the first time. The oil seemed just like any other lower unit oil I ever saw.

 

[huntin dawg]

Re: New Merc Gear Oil... Odd

I'm wondering if maybe it was mineral oil??

 

[Jlawsen]

Re: New Merc Gear Oil... Odd

Hey Guys,
I did my first maintenance on my new 20 HP 4 stroke. Changed the engine oil and gear lube.

The gear lube in it from the factory was clear and really thin.

Is that something different they use for break-in of new motors?? As we all know, normal gear lube is much thicker.

Just wondering if others have encountered this with a new Merc.

Thanks,
HD

Did you buy the motor uncrated from a dealer or did you buy it in the unopened box. When I get them they're dry. Sounds to me like someone grabbed the 25w-40w by accident.

 

[huntin dawg]

Re: New Merc Gear Oil... Odd

Did you buy the motor uncrated from a dealer or did you buy it in the unopened box. When I get them they're dry. Sounds to me like someone grabbed the 25w-40w by accident.

It was delivered to me in the box from the factory.

 

[Scott Danforth]

Re: New Merc Gear Oil... Odd

could be synthetic. then again, with a 4-stroke, did you just undo the crank drain?

 

[Jlawsen]

Re: New Merc Gear Oil... Odd

could be synthetic. then again, with a 4-stroke, did you just undo the crank drain?

That was my next question. Did you remove the large cap bold on the mid section or did you remove the smaller cap screws (two) on the lower unit. I'm not trying to make you sound dumb so please don't take offense.

If you did it right, something is weird. Last I checked none of the carriers will accept motors with fluids in them for shipping. There's no exceptions that I know of. Maybe it's something new that I'm not aware of. I don't stay up on it like I used to. I do know that we were advised to offer a 20 hour service at time of sale.

 

[huntin dawg]

Re: New Merc Gear Oil... Odd

That was my next question. Did you remove the large cap bold on the mid section or did you remove the smaller cap screws (two) on the lower unit. I'm not trying to make you sound dumb so please don't take offense.

If you did it right, something is weird. Last I checked none of the carriers will accept motors with fluids in them for shipping. There's no exceptions that I know of. Maybe it's something new that I'm not aware of. I don't stay up on it like I used to. I do know that we were advised to offer a 20 hour service at time of sale.

No offense taken. I know my way around an outboard. It is the gear lube from the lower unit. It was rather thin and clear. It felt like pure mineral oil.
The crankcase had Merc 10W 30 in it that came in the box with the motor.
I thought it was kind of strange.
I bought this motor from a dealer in Cali and they shipped it to me in Alaska. I did research and found they ship new motors with gear lube in them. I ran it through the break-in process and just changed out the oils.
When I drained the lower unit I was surprised to see clear/light oil come out.

 

[Scott Danforth]

Re: New Merc Gear Oil... Odd

could be dealer put wrong stuff in. if that is the case, call the dealer and let them know. that way its documented

 

[huntin dawg]

Re: New Merc Gear Oil... Odd

could be dealer put wrong stuff in. if that is the case, call the dealer and let them know. that way its documented

I'll shoot them an email today just to let them know. At least I know I have to right stuff in there now.

 

[huntin dawg]

Re: New Merc Gear Oil... Odd

The rep from JP Marine in Cali replied to me and said the lube was standard Mercury gear lube and it came from the factory like that. I'd like to know what gear lube they have that is thin and clear.

 

[Scott Danforth]

Re: New Merc Gear Oil... Odd

could be synthetic.