Outdrive Oil Level

[finsterx8]

I recently purchased a 1994 Four Winns and wondering about outdrive oil level. I have read about filling from the bottom and understand that and why. My boat appears to have fresh oil in the outdrive but the level is very high on the dipstick, about an inch from the top. If there was air pockets in the gears would they be gone after a couple weeks, I have not had the boat in the water yet but have had it running several times and trailered a couple hours home.

When I remove some oil through the dipstick hole with suction pump it seems to refill that area. I've removed about 350ml and level is just above the range at the bottom of the dipsick.

I'm not sure the exact model of outdrive, it has a 5 lt Ford carb. engine.

 

[alldodge]

Since this is a new to you oat I would recommend draining everything and refilling. Check the lube for any water and contaminants.

 

[bruceb58]

Your drive is in that time frame where it could be the older Cobra dog clutch or the new SX style with cone clutch. Do you know which one you have? If it's the older dog clutch, you fill from the middle hole.

 

[kpg7121]

I recently purchased a 1994 Four Winns and wondering about outdrive oil level. I have read about filling from the bottom and understand that and why. My boat appears to have fresh oil in the outdrive but the level is very high on the dipstick, about an inch from the top. If there was air pockets in the gears would they be gone after a couple weeks, I have not had the boat in the water yet but have had it running several times and trailered a couple hours home.

When I remove some oil through the dipstick hole with suction pump it seems to refill that area. I've removed about 350ml and level is just above the range at the bottom of the dipsick.

I'm not sure the exact model of outdrive, it has a 5 lt Ford carb. engine.

Like Bruce said, if its a dog clutch you fill from the middle plug. On those dog clutch's if you fill from the bottom you'll get an air bubble which will give you a false reading on the dipstick. If it is the dog clutch I would drain the oil, start over & save yourself the headache of replacing your gearset.

 

[Redrig]

and either way regardless of what model you have , if its a "new to you" boat.

drain and refill all the lube , pull the drive , grease splines , replace impeller , etc. There is a lot more to check than just the oil level

 

[finsterx8]

Not sure on exact unit, here's a picture. Is the plug in the second picture the lower / drain?
Sorry I have no experience with boats.

 

[kpg7121]

Not sure on exact unit, here's a picture. Is the plug in the second picture the lower / drain?
Sorry I have no experience with boats.

That looks like an SX to me. I can't give you the fill procedure as I'm not too familiar with them & I don't want to steer you wrong. Others will chime in. On a side note, you need a manuel to familiarize yourself with maintenance procedures. You'll save a ton of money as a DIF'er if so inclined. BTW, that's a good drive you have there. Take care of it, it will treat you well.

 

[Scott Danforth]

With any new to you boat, pull the drive and do all the maintenance

 

[HT32BSX115]

I recently purchased a 1994 Four Winns /////
/////I'm not sure the exact model of outdrive, it has a 5 lt Ford carb. engine.

Howdy,

Welcome aboard!


Your boat being a 1994 carbureted model could be one of the following:
502APLJVB 1993
502APRJVB 1993
502BPRJVB 1993

502ACPMDA 1994
502AGPMDA 1994

But since the picture you added clearly indicates that it's an SX, it's one of the 2 1994 models above. (the 93 models are Dog-Clutch Cobras.......


The VP manual I have indicates to refill the drive (slowly) through the drain hole until oil appears at the "Oil Level Plug Hole"

If you have completely drained and refilled, you should run the drive after filling and immediately check the level. If needed, add oil through the dipstick hole to top off.

If you do not have a VP service manual, and you plan to do your own maintenance, you should get an OEM manual. (Seloc or Clymer won't cut it)

Additionally, ANYONE else with a Dog Clutch Cobra disregard the instructions above and fill through the "FILL port"

Above all, follow the service manual for your model drive.

Regards,

Rick

 

[finsterx8]

Thanks for the help everyone. I drained and pulled the drive to replace the Gimball bearing, it's really screwed.
I'm finding the 94 difficult to confirm parts online but we'll figure it out.

 

[HT32BSX115]

Thanks for the help everyone. I drained and pulled the drive to replace the Gimball bearing, it's really screwed.
I'm finding the 94 difficult to confirm parts online but we'll figure it out.

Just about anything FOMOCO marine is going to he harder to find parts. The gimbal bearing is fairly generic though.

For part numbers go here:----> http://epc.brp.com/

Many of those original OMC part numbers have been superceded by Volvo Penta numbers.

The gimbal bearing is 3853807 BEARING ASSY., U-joint
Here's an example https://www.iboats.com/shop/catalogsearch/result/?q=3853807

Its virtually the same for Volvo, OMC and Mercruiser.

Just consider yourself VERY lucky you have a carbureted model instead of an EFI model!