Type of Hydraulic Fluid in Trim Motor

mohead1

Petty Officer 2nd Class
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Jun 18, 2011
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'88 260 Merc. with Alpha 1........what is the accepted fluid to use in the outdrive trim motor tank? I bought the boat used and dont know how long its been in there, and want to change it while doing other maintenance......

Thanks
 

StevNimrod

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Dec 13, 2008
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Re: Type of Hydraulic Fluid in Trim Motor

What color is the fluid that's in there now?

Mercruiser sells thier own fluid. They also have a list of acceptable fluids (I have 10w-30 motor oil in mine - a Gen 2), which would be in the service manual for your particular drive.
 

Bondo

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Re: Type of Hydraulic Fluid in Trim Motor

'88 260 Merc. with Alpha 1........what is the accepted fluid to use in the outdrive trim motor tank? I bought the boat used and dont know how long its been in there, and want to change it while doing other maintenance......

Thanks

Ayuh,... It ain't really all that particular 'bout it's oil, so long as it's got some...
If it's red, it's ATF...
If it's brown it's probably motor oil, or hydraulic oil, or jack oil...

It'll run just fine on 'bout anything under 40W...
 

mohead1

Petty Officer 2nd Class
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134
Re: Type of Hydraulic Fluid in Trim Motor

Hmmmmm.......dont remember seeing it in the manual.....thanks for the input though! Its kinda a light tan almost clear looking....Im betting on a hydraulic fluid, light grade. There is Universal 46 sold locally, think that will work?
 

Bondo

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Re: Type of Hydraulic Fluid in Trim Motor

There is Universal 46 sold locally, think that will work?

Ayuh,... No problem...
 

Don S

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Re: Type of Hydraulic Fluid in Trim Motor

The manual calls for 10W-30 motor oil, which sounds fairly common to me.


Here is from the OEM manual
 

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