Winterize

[jackstraw_11@yahoo.com]

1. How do you fill the outdrive unit? The manual says to fill via the drain plug. Wouldn't the oil keep draining, even if there was a special tool how do you remove the tool and replace the plug without further draining. I'm stumped.<br /><br />2. Also is it absolutely necessary to remove the drive and lubricate the gimbal joints every year?<br /><br /> <br /><br />Thanks, this is my first year performing the winterization myself. Any help is appreciated

 

[tommays]

Re: Winterize

we need to no what drive and motor and year to help you<br /><br />tommays

 

[crazy charlie]

Re: Winterize

Tom,most drives are filled through the bottom drain with a pump and hose set up specifically for that purpose.You fill it through the bottom until the fluid comes out the vent hole which is usually directly above near the top of the unit.It is a messy job if you dont get the pump.Charlie

 

[KM2]

Re: Winterize

In regards to question 1. In the drain hole and it's a messy job, but not to bad if your quick.

 

[rattana]

Re: Winterize

If you have a mercrusier outdrive you can buy one of these pumps for about $10-12 dollars at almost any marine store. http://www.mercstuff.com/images/oilpump.jpg

 

[tommays]

Re: Winterize

unless he has some year of omc which require a different filling method or the drive will be destroyed or even on a merc if its to old to have a remote oil tank<br /><br />tommays

 

[jackstraw_11@yahoo.com]

Re: Winterize

Sorry it a 1996 four winns horizon with a Volvo Penta 6 cylinder engine and a cobra outdrive. The manual says to fill via the drain hole but even if I got a pump I guess you quickly remove the pump and replace the plug. Sounds like a messy job with a lot of waste.

 

[jawzzy]

Re: Winterize

as long as you put the top plug back in first, it greatly slows down any leakage through the bottom hole, so you won't loose that much. <br /><br />But as for your other question, I'd like to know TOO!!!!!!! Do we have to remove the outdrive EVERY year to inspect the gimbal and ujoints?<br />Thannks!

 

[Don S]

Re: Winterize

Tom826<br />Just an FYI. You donot have an OMC outdrive, you have a Volvo outdrive. (unless they installed a very old OMC drive and transom shield on it.)<br /> Click here and have a look.<br />You also need to use GL5 synthetic gear lube, not something for OMC.<br />And yes you need to pull the outdrive every year, check for any water in the bellows, check the ujoints, lube the gimbal bearing and wipe up the excess grease from the gimbal bearing.<br />You also need to check the alignment at least yearly. If it's off due to a bad mount it will destroy a coupling......that requires an engine pull.

 

[jackstraw_11@yahoo.com]

Re: Winterize

crazy charlie <br /><br />thanks for answering the question I had and for those who may search the database. There is a lower unit gear oil pump which most marine supply houses sell for less than 15$ which is used to fill the outdrive from the bottom drain plug. Once full you quickly remove the pump and reinsert the drain plug.<br /><br />Don S <br /><br />I never claimed to have an OMC outdrive, I believe I have a Volvo penta 6 cylinder with a cobra sx drive which in 1996 was a merge or combo unit. Thanks for the link which was helpful.

 

[Don S]

Re: Winterize

Tom, the OMC drives were known as Cobra's and they fill differently than the Volvo SX drives do.

 

[jackstraw_11@yahoo.com]

Re: Winterize

Don S thanks again, so for future reference refering to cobra as one word by itself is for original omc drives and cobra sx refers to the volvo drives as a joint venture oem'ed from omc.