Is it bad if Gearcase oil is not changed before winter?

I have a 2002 mercruiser 4.3 litre v6 engine with a alpha one outdrive. I have winterized my boat.......draining all 5 plugs (running anti-freeze through block and outdrive), changing filters, and fogging. The only part I did not do was change the gear lube oil. Will this be a major problem due to winter or can I just change it when winter is over?

Re: Is it bad if Gearcase oil is not changed before winter?

The main reason you change when you winterize it is , that if you have gotten water intrusion it will start to rust during the off season. And if you are really unlucky it can freeze crack the gearhousing. Probably its no problem in doing it after the winter BUT i wouldent tkae that risk even if its small

Re: Is it bad if Gearcase oil is not changed before winter?

Doesn't hurt the drive, as long as there isn't any water in it, or water in the bellows since it seems like you probably won't be pulling the driver either.

Re: Is it bad if Gearcase oil is not changed before winter?

The only reason I wouldn't be able to change it now is because it is put away in a barn for the winter and there is no way to start it. I read where it says the engine should be warm when changing it.

Re: Is it bad if Gearcase oil is not changed before winter?

The engine doesn't have to be warm to change the gear lube.

Re: Is it bad if Gearcase oil is not changed before winter?

or can I just change it when winter is over?

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since yer gonna change it when winter is over, why not do it now? changed is changed, be it now or later. + if ya do it now you'll know the answers to Don S' comment as to knowing there's no water in the gear lub.
look at it this way too. ya changed yer engine oil didn't ya for winter layup. nice, clean, fresh engine oil for the lay up. might as well treat the drive the same way.

The only reason I wouldn't be able to change it now is because it is put away in a barn for the winter and there is no way to start it. I read where it says the engine should be warm when changing it.

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ya don't need to start it to drain it (the drive). the gear lub will take longer to drain since it's cold lub. but it'll eventually drain out. having the engine warm has nothing to do with the drive. running the engine to warm it up also turns all drive components except the prop shaft assuming your in neu. this warms up the drive lub so it is more viscus and drains faster...

Re: Is it bad if Gearcase oil is not changed before winter?

I will definitely do it now after hearing what you guys are saying. Thanks!!

Re: Is it bad if Gearcase oil is not changed before winter?

The new oil will be easier to pump if it's warm.

Re: Is it bad if Gearcase oil is not changed before winter?

Howdy,

If you cannot change it, then at least drain a little out and inspect it for water. If there's no water at all in the oil (and if it's been sitting for a while any water will be right at the drain) you're probably "ok".

There's a LOT of people that only change drive oil once every 2 years (or more)

Mercury DOES suggest changing the oil every year though.....


regards,


Rick