Oil level in mercruiser stern drive?

[diew]

I just bought a 85' 230 sea ray with a mercruiser engine and outdrive. I'm not sure what the outdrive model is but i do have a few questions about it. How do i check the outdrive oil?(is there a dipstick.etc.) How do i drain the oil? How do i refill the oil? Also, when in reverse, there is a loud clicking sound coming from the outdrive. But when in forward, it runs fine. Could this be the gimble housing thats clicking? <br /><br />thanks for your time.

 

[diew]

Re: Oil level in mercruiser stern drive?

also, is there anyway to rev the engine in neutral?

 

[cuzner]

Re: Oil level in mercruiser stern drive?

Hey diew, is this your first boat? reason I'm asking is so I know how detailed to get. You can rev the engine in neutral,your control should have a button allowing you to advance throttle in neutral.If there is no resevoir mounted on your engine,there is a vent screw port side top of stern-drive oil should be up to there. the drain is port side bottom of sterndrive near the back. Check for water in oil.<br /><br /><br /> Jim

 

[Cool It]

Re: Oil level in mercruiser stern drive?

I have a 1988 mercruiser and there is no dip stick. I believe an 85 would not have one either.The newer models have a reservoir inside/very nice. to check oil you must remove the oil vent screw which is near the top left of the out drive. the oil level should be at that screw if it is then your ok.To drain, there is a drain screw at the bottom of the lower unit.<br /><br />To rev your engine in nuetral you should have a throttle only button on your control handle if you dont like I dont then you need to pull the whole handle out from the side, this will give you throttle only, its a little bit of a pain.<br /><br />Hope this helps- I am pretty new at doing any work on my boat so if any one else can add anything or correct me in any way that would be great. this site has helped me plenty this year as I am trying to do as much as I can myself rather than call a mechanic.<br /><br />COOL IT !!!

 

[cuzner]

Re: Oil level in mercruiser stern drive?

If your starting it out of water make sure you have a flushing attatchment hooked up with water running.<br /><br /> Jim

 

[diew]

Re: Oil level in mercruiser stern drive?

Thanks for the info. had one more question. I have just took out all the oil in the engine and replaced the oil filter. Mercury says to use their oil which is 25w-40. Would it be safe to use other oil such as 20w-40 or even 10w-40 ? I mean, these 3 types of oil all have the same viscosity when they heat up anyway.<br /><br />thanks for your time.

 

[Trent]

Re: Oil level in mercruiser stern drive?

Use 90w viscosity gear oil in the sterndrive(use hypoid). The oil in your engine 10w40 will do fine. Iv done it for many...many years. Some people here will dissagree. But Im sorry. (You need to change it regular) It works for me and my coustmers. Iv never had a oil problem failer yet! But Iv seen them. <br /><br />Too many "snake oils out their" Trying to get your business. Dont waist your money on the stuff. Cause your going to change your oil before you put it up for the winter. And most people dont put more than 20 hours on their boats in a year. <br /><br />Change regular.... As in when your not going to use it. Changing oil gets rid of acids and other chemicals in the oil from combustion. Dont worry about "High priced oils" Change regular and forget the "snake oils" in the marine enviorment.

 

[beezee28]

Re: Oil level in mercruiser stern drive?

I have a mercruiser 3.0L and the manual said that a 30wt oil is good for the engine and I used straight 30wt oil.

 

[Chris1956]

Re: Oil level in mercruiser stern drive?

Diew, I always use 25W-40 oil in my Mercruiser. I do some boating in subfreezing weather, and I think that makes straight 40 weight oil a bad choice, due to its thickness at startup. I am also afraid that a 10W-40 oil may be too light, since 10W-40 oil is thinner than straight 40 at room temp.<br /><br />I therefore use Merc's 25W-40 oil all year. I also put a heating pad under the oil pan in winter before I plan to go out, to keep the oil warm for startup.

 

[MFG197]

Re: Oil level in mercruiser stern drive?

Got NAPA around? SAE 40wt.<br />Merc High Performance Synthetic Gear Lube

 

[theboatcarpenter]

Re: Oil level in mercruiser stern drive?

How is it you pour the oil in the drive

 

[Bondo]

Re: Oil level in mercruiser stern drive?

July 16th, 2004, 04:20 AM

Ayuh,... Boat Carpender,... You need to start your Own thread stating what your equipment is,...
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