Remove Grease from Lower Unit

[wbeaton]

Anyone know if there is a way to remove grease from a lower unit without dismantling it?

I should repeat that it is grease and not oil in my lower unit. Doesn't look like any water was in there so I'm not sure why the previous owner switched to grease from oil.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Remove Grease from Lower Unit

my guess would be to try getting some mineral sprits, or diesel fuel into it, and turning the prop to mix. maybe SLIGHT air pressure on the vent hole to push out the drain.

 

[WillyBWright]

Re: Remove Grease from Lower Unit

Some people get weird bright ideas. I had a customer do the same thing. Decided it would be good to never change gearlube again and filled the gearcase with axle grease. But it burned up. It spun the grease off the gears and fried them. So much for bright ideas.

I'd suggest taking the gearcase apart and see how much damage has been done.

 

[F_R]

Re: Remove Grease from Lower Unit

Depending on how heavy the grease is, try filling it with the correct weight oil from the bottom, expelling the grease out the top. Once you get a goodly amount out, put the plugs back in and go fishing. Repeat after running it a couple of hours. Might have to do it a couple of times. Nothing is turning in there to agitate the grease/oil unless the motor is actually running.

 

[wbeaton]

Re: Remove Grease from Lower Unit

Thanks guys,

It looks like white lithium grease and it runs fine in the barrel so I think the gears are ok, but I won't know for sure until I run it.

I'll try your suggestion FR.

 

[wilde1j]

Re: Remove Grease from Lower Unit

I would guess the previous owner filled the LU with grease because the seals were leaking. Very likely when you get the proper gear oil in the LU, it will begin leaking. Just something to look for.