how do i know what type of oil my 1983 115hp johnson outboard uses?

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jameso

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Feb 4, 2012
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Hi i am a new boat owner and i was just trying to figure out what type of oil my my 1983 johnson outboard takes. i was told it was to be mixed 50:1? i have no idea what this means and if its true. Ive watched some videos of draining and re-pumping it back in I just need to know what type of oil to use and if i do need to mix it. thank you very much and feedback would be greatly appreciated.
 
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boobie

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Re: how do i know what type of oil my 1983 115hp johnson outboard uses?

If you're talking about the fuel mix you mix it 50:1. 1 pint of oil to 6 gal of gas. Use any good TCW 3 oil. When you're talking about draining and pumping, this has to do with the lower unit.
 
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jameso

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Re: how do i know what type of oil my 1983 115hp johnson outboard uses?

boobie said:
If you're talking about the fuel mix you mix it 50:1. 1 pint of oil to 6 gal of gas. Use any good TCW 3 oil. When you're talking about draining and pumping, this has to do with the lower unit.
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thank you very much! i was so confused and i am also talking about the lower unit also what type of oil is suggested?
 
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boobie

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Re: how do i know what type of oil my 1983 115hp johnson outboard uses?

Any good grade of marine lower unit oil designed for mechanical shift g/c's.
 
Silvertip

Silvertip

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Re: how do i know what type of oil my 1983 115hp johnson outboard uses?

Oil for the engine will say TWO STROKE and TCW-III or TCW-3 on the label. Lower unit lube will say LOWER UNIT LUBE. You do not pump oil OUT of the lower unit. You remove the drain and vent plugs and it "runs" out. You pump new oil into the drain hole. Yes - I said drain hole. You pump it in until it runs out the top vent hole. Insert the plugs and go boating. If the old oil comes out looking like a milk shake, water has found its way into the lowe unit and it needs to be resealed.
 
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adoseth

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Jan 15, 2012
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Re: how do i know what type of oil my 1983 115hp johnson outboard uses?

While were on the subject,i was wondering if the lower unit oil is like common gear lube, i recently checked my newly acquired 115 johnson lower end oil and it smells like that stinky 90w gearlube
 
nwcove

nwcove

Admiral
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May 16, 2011
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6,293
Re: how do i know what type of oil my 1983 115hp johnson outboard uses?

i use automotive gear oil, but the proper lower unit oil is a better choice, it deals with water intrusion alot better.
 
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archcycle

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Sep 21, 2009
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647
Re: how do i know what type of oil my 1983 115hp johnson outboard uses?

adoseth said:
While were on the subject,i was wondering if the lower unit oil is like common gear lube, i recently checked my newly acquired 115 johnson lower end oil and it smells like that stinky 90w gearlube
Click to expand...

It is like common gear lube but with additives to help emulsify water that will eventually (when not if) start leaking into your lower unit. Everything is different when you put motors in/on water so stay clear of the 'they just write marine on it and charge double' mentality some people have and you will thank yourself for it in the long run.

As long as you were checking it, which you should do a few times per season, was it milky white? If so that's emulsified water. If it's black then it's burned up and needs to be changed. Clean new marine gear lube looks like it was squeezed out of a highlighter.
 
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Will Bark

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Re: how do i know what type of oil my 1983 115hp johnson outboard uses?

Jameso, the drain and fill screws are the ones that take a flat blade screwdriver; DO NOT mess with the bolt that takes a phillips head screwdriver. That is the pivot bolt for your shift linkage. Good luck
 
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