Used drive oil colour and pressure test.

[Simoniz]

Ive drained the Quicksilver high performance gear oil from my Alpha 1 Gen 2 outdrive after maybe 30 hours of use this summer and its a pretty dark opaque colour. Putting a small sample in a glass vial and looking at it it just looks dark and a bit cloudy.

If it had water mixed in with it then it would be a lighter milky colour wouldn't it?

Ive read other threads here about people saying that they have drained oil off and its been a dark colour - is it normal? Im pretty sure that mine has been that colour in previous years and I know my drive doesn't get hot (Ive leant over the back of the boat after 20 minutes running on the plane and the top of the drive is just warm to the touch).

I want to pressure test the drive anyway so Ill me making up a pressure test rig. Am I correct in thinking that the thread is 3/8 UNC?

 

[Don S]

Re: Used drive oil colour and pressure test.

Drives get hot, so the oil will get darker, but milky means water. So, if you don't have milky oil, then you don't have any water in it.

Am I correct in thinking that the thread is 1/8 BSP?

If you are referring to the drain and vent plugs, NO. They are 3/8-16 thread, just like a bolt.
Just use the fitting off one of those cheap oil pumps. It can be sealsed so it won't leak for the pressure tests.

 

[Simoniz]

Re: Used drive oil colour and pressure test.

Thanks Don, I edited my post to read 3/8UNC but you beat me to it.

I know milky means water but Ive only ever seen milky engine oil which is definitly light in colour. Does drive oil also go a light colour when mixed with water?

 

[Bondo]

Re: Used drive oil colour and pressure test.

Does drive oil also go a light colour when mixed with water?

Ayuh,... Same Deal...