Oil Consumption Question

[jjohnson120]

I have a couple of questions concerning oil consumption for the Alpha one.

1. What specific oil can you use to fill the reservoir, and what can you use as substitute?

2. How often should I have to fill the reservoir for the lower unit?

 

[Brentathon]

Re: Oil Consumption Question

I replace my Alpha gearcase oil every fall.
Any boat supply store should have the oil for Alpha outdrives.

 

[jjohnson120]

Re: Oil Consumption Question

I replace my Alpha gearcase oil every fall.
Any boat supply store should have the oil for Alpha outdrives.

Well just for reference i was curious if anyone knew what the weight of the oil was? I have read in places it is 80w90, but can't find it exactly. Also my outdrive is using more than 2fl oz's and according to the manual this could mean a seal leak. Anyone have any idea what this could be?

 

[jjohnson120]

Re: Oil Consumption Question

Yup

any idea where that seal would be?

 

[Fordiesel69]

Re: Oil Consumption Question

You *can* use car gear lube of similar weight, but keep in mind there is no protection against water intrusion. With the mercruiser oil, it will combat against a minimal amount of water. If a prop shaft seal lets go, you are screwed either way, but I would personally just use the mercruiser stuff and rest easy.

As for the engine, 5w-40 diesel oil, 15w-40 diesel oil, SAE 30, SAE 40, or any of the quicksilver lubricants when used in the appropriate ambient temp range. Avoid regular passenger car oils as they are not designed for 100% loads and lack some of the additives to protect against fuel dilution.

Visit bobistheoilguy dot com for any oil topics.

 

[HT32BSX115]

Re: Oil Consumption Question

Well just for reference i was curious if anyone knew what the weight of the oil was? I have read in places it is 80w90, but can't find it exactly. Also my outdrive is using more than 2fl oz's and according to the manual this could mean a seal leak. Anyone have any idea what this could be?

Howdy,


Outdrives do not "use" oil any more than a rear axle or a transmission does.....


If the oil level is not stable, the oil is leaking out someplace.

You determine where by pressure checking the drive and using soapy/water solution to find bubbles.

The ADULTS-Only "sticky" message at the top of the forum has instructions on how to do it.


The type of oil is your choice. Just about any suitable gear lubricant will "work". Marine gear lubricants are formulated to keep *some* water in suspension so as to continue to provide adequate lubrication until you can change it at the end of the season (this is why Mercury suggests changing it every 100 hrs or the end of the season WHICHEVER OCCURS FIRST)

Mercury, Volvo Penta, STA-LUBE and Amsoil are a few that market a Marine specific lubrication.

I would not use a gear oil that the manufacturer does not specifically say is made for marine gear-box use. (although there's a lot of people that do successfully.)



Regards,


Rick.

 

[jjohnson120]

Re: Oil Consumption Question

You *can* use car gear lube of similar weight, but keep in mind there is no protection against water intrusion. With the mercruiser oil, it will combat against a minimal amount of water. If a prop shaft seal lets go, you are screwed either way, but I would personally just use the mercruiser stuff and rest easy.

As for the engine, 5w-40 diesel oil, 15w-40 diesel oil, SAE 30, SAE 40, or any of the quicksilver lubricants when used in the appropriate ambient temp range. Avoid regular passenger car oils as they are not designed for 100% loads and lack some of the additives to protect against fuel dilution.

Visit bobistheoilguy dot com for any oil topics.

So is the correct weight of the geat lube 80w90? reason i ask is because i have some royal purple lube at that weight laying around and would like to use it if possible.

 

[scoflaw]

Re: Oil Consumption Question

Not to hijack this guys thread, but I've got the same issue. Mine leaks only when in use, and pressure checks fine. Oil out, no water in. So how do you pinpoint that?

 

[Bondo]

Re: Oil Consumption Question

Not to hijack this guys thread, but I've got the same issue. Mine leaks only when in use, and pressure checks fine. Oil out, no water in. So how do you pinpoint that?

Ayuh,.. A Vacuum test might pick it up..

 

[jjohnson120]

Re: Oil Consumption Question

Well looks like i have bigger problems if i'm going to have to pressure check the outdrive.

 

[HT32BSX115]

Re: Oil Consumption Question

Well looks like i have bigger problems if i'm going to have to pressure check the outdrive.

Maybe....but a pressure/vacuum check is the only reliable way to find a leak. If you're losing oil......you do have a leak......(NOT LOOSING btw

that just makes my head hurt!!!!)

loosing, lowsening [ˈluːsɪŋ -zɪŋ ˈlɔɪ-]n Yorkshire dialect a celebration of one's 21st birthday

 

[jjohnson120]

Re: Oil Consumption Question

Maybe....but a pressure/vacuum check is the only reliable way to find a leak. If you're losing oil......you do have a leak......(NOT LOOSING btw

that just makes my head hurt!!!!)

i was reading through how to pressure check and it looks pretty complex. i'm fairly mechanically inclined with cars, but not so much with boats. should i just take it somewhere?

 

[HT32BSX115]

Re: Oil Consumption Question

Well, it's not really all that hard.

You do need a compressor, some plumbing fittings, clear vinyl hose etc and a simple vacuum pump. most autoparts stores sell those little hand operated plastic vacuum pumps for testing vacuum systems on cars.......

After you pull the drive, (actually you could do it on the boat.... except you couldn't check the input seal up behind the U-joints)

Pressure the drive up to about 10 psi and slop a little soapy water where the seals are and top cap etc and look for bubbles....


For the vacuum check, it's a little harder, but once you pull a vacuum on it, it should hold the vacuum until you release it.


If you find a "bubbly" seal, there's not much reason to do the vacuum check....


On the other hand......unless you can replace the seals yourself, you'll probably need to take it to someone that can.

And they'll pressure/vacuum check it before and after they re-seal it.

 

[jjohnson120]

Re: Oil Consumption Question

Well, it's not really all that hard.

You do need a compressor, some plumbing fittings, clear vinyl hose etc and a simple vacuum pump. most autoparts stores sell those little hand operated plastic vacuum pumps for testing vacuum systems on cars.......

After you pull the drive, (actually you could do it on the boat.... except you couldn't check the input seal up behind the U-joints)

Pressure the drive up to about 10 psi and slop a little soapy water where the seals are and top cap etc and look for bubbles....


For the vacuum check, it's a little harder, but once you pull a vacuum on it, it should hold the vacuum until you release it.


If you find a "bubbly" seal, there's not much reason to do the vacuum check....


On the other hand......unless you can replace the seals yourself, you'll probably need to take it to someone that can.

And they'll pressure/vacuum check it before and after they re-seal it.

might be a long shot, but do you have any idea the cost for someone else? obviously i'm going to check some spots such as the easy stuff, but if that doesn't get me anywhere i'm probably going to take it somewhere.

 

[Fordiesel69]

Re: Oil Consumption Question

If you pull the drive and deliver it, the cost to pressure test it would be minimal.

 

[jjohnson120]

Re: Oil Consumption Question

If you pull the drive and deliver it, the cost to pressure test it would be minimal.

Yeah I just don't feel very confident in taking the drive apart by myself. I know a couple of guys that have been around boats and specifically mercruiser outdrives awhile, so I'm hoping to enlist their help. I appreciate all the help from you guys.

 

[jjohnson120]

Re: Oil Consumption Question

Well did some talking to a few friends more familiar with boats than myself, and the we think we found the leak. A mechanic said it was any easy fix and would do it for $150. Not to bad to have it done my a professional trusted shop around here. I really appreciate everyones help on this matter.