What type of oil?

[redneck88]

I posted before about oil on my lower unit,well i looked at the mercury quicksilver oil i mix with my gas and compared it to the oil coming out of my LU and they're both that greenish tint.but i was wondering if gear oil is greenish like that too,i just had it serviced by a mechanic so cant tell you what kind is in there,thanks for the help.

 

[Rick.]

Re: What type of oil?

The gear case takes very different oil than the fuel tank. I think the gear oil I use, OMC, is green but it is specifically made for the gear case. TD uses walmart gear oil but I can't remember the brand. Rick.

 

[5150abf]

Re: What type of oil?

Color is the least important part of oil, you need lower unit oil, it is different than 80-90 in that it has additives to deal with water intrusion.

Walmart has it in the fishing section, it is about $4 a quart, you can buy brand name for 3x that but I am convinced it isn't any better, I have run Wally world oil for years with no problems.

Buy 2 quarts, fill one completely to the top and fill your lower, save the other for when you change it again, I do mine 2 times a year, helps keep an eye on what the lower is doing and if you need seals.

Oil $4, lower unit $800, easy math there.

But NO, do not put 2 stroke oil in your lower unit, it will be dead in about an hour if you do.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: What type of oil?

i buy it buy the gallon 80/90 Super Tech Lower unit oil at Walmart. $12.00 i also use their pump.

 

[redneck88]

Re: What type of oil?

ok yall are totally misunderstanding what i said sorry bout any typos,but there is oil dripping from one of the vent holes on my lower unit,the oil coming out of my lower unit is the same color as the oil i mix with my gas,i am trying to determine whether the oil coming out is just some unburned 2 stroke oil or if it is lower unit gear oil coming out?thanks

 

[Silvertip]

Re: What type of oil?

All you need to do to identify the oil is put some on your finger and smell it. Lower unit oil has a definite pungent smell to it whereas engine oil does not. Open a bottle of lower unit oil and take a good sniff -- then do the same with gine oil. The difference is unmistakeable. And just to clarify WHAT lower lube is, it is conventional gear oil with a tad bit more additives (emulsifiers) that allows the lube to handle potential water intrusion. "Potential" is the key word here. If the lower unit is not leaking you are protected just as well with conventional automotive gear oil as your are with "marine lower unit lube".