Re: type of oil to use
Wally world had 100% Syn Pennzoil lower unit oil. Be sure and get the "lower unit" oil. Otherwise you can go to your Merc dealer and get some Quicksilver lower unit oil. He'll have the washers too.<br /><br />Be sure you come out with old ones when you remove the screws; otherwise fish them out of the holes in the lower unit.<br /><br />Beins you said you were a newbie:<br /><br />You have a drain hole at the bottom of the skeg, below the gear box flare, and another one or two just above the anticavitation plate....flat plate just above the prop. Need a short screwdriver or tilt the engine to get the drain screw out then tilt it back level to drain. Level means the round gearbox part is parallel to the floor. <br /><br />Open all 2 or 3 ports and let old oil drain out; overnight wouldn't hurt. <br /><br />I think the fill is around 3 pints, maybe 3.5. If you go to a Merc dealer he will know how much you need.<br /><br />I like to prep all my tubes before I start as it makes filling a lot easier for 1 person; or get a helper to prep while you fill. You have to cut the end off the tube after removing the cap as it's sealed. I use a drain pan like for draining the crankcase on a truck and just prop the opened tubes against that till I use them.<br /><br />Stick the snoze of the fill tube in the lower hole and squeeze the tube empty. Quickly pull that one out and stick in #2 and so on until oil comes out the top hole(s). You'll spill some but keep it to a minimum and don't worry about it.<br /><br />Insert top screw with new washer in top hole and screw in snug. If two holes, do this to the forward one and then the aft one, which is just slightly higher. (Older engines only have one.)<br /><br />Then, having the lower screw/washer ready pull out the fill tube and quickly stab the screw. I screw it in with my fingers and then tilt the engine back up to tighten.<br /><br />Tighten all screws with a large bladed common screw driver real snug; like a bear grip on the screwdriver; hands only, no additional tools.<br /><br />That's it.......unless your oil is milky (homogenized water) or has visable water bubbles in it...Then you have more to do before you fill with new oil. Let us know of problems, if any.<br /><br />Mark<br /><br /><br />Mark
