Re: 1992 king cobra drive
It would be a good idea to get an owners manual and service manual.
This is from the manual,
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Draining and Filling Vertical Drive
When a complete change of lubricant is required in the vertical drive, proceed as follows:
* Place the vertical drive in the run (down) position.
* Remove the oil drain plug (starboard side of lower gearcase) and the oil level dipstick (top of vertical drive)
* After vertical drive has drained completely, securely replace the oil drain plug.
* Remove the oil fill plug, (starboard side of vertical drive)
* Fill vertical drive with OMC Hi-Vis gearcase lubricant through the oil fill plug location. The vertical drive is properly filled when the oil level appears at the mark on the oil dipstick. Check oil level with the dipstick cap resting on top of the hole. See Specifications and Maintenance, page 28, for vertical drive oil capacity.
NOTE When completely changing the lubricant in the vertical drive, the oil level must be checked with the dipstick resting on top of the hole. Improper oil level may result in serious vertical drive damage.
* Securely replace the dipstick before removing the filler from the gearcase. This will create an airlock and will hold the oil in the vertical drive until the oil fill plug can be securely replaced.
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The oil fill plug is above the drain plug, right below the starboard trim cyl. The manual indicates 108oz of oil for the King Cobra. 1qt of oil is about 32oz so it will take about 3.4 qts.
It is extremely important that you fill the drive exactly as OMC suggests.
When my brother owned my FourWinns, he took it to a marine dealer to have the drive serviced. The first time they didn't bother put oil in the drive at all. It didn't make it very far around the lake. They replaced the drive.
The second time (different dealer) , they didn't fill it correctly ......It made it quite bit farther but it took out the upper gears. These people also replaced the drive.
I suspect that if you try to fill it from the drain hole it causes a bubble that you cannot immediately get rid of that migrates to the top after you run it. You then run the upper gears dry and the rest (and the drive) is history.
Now I will also say that mine is a 1987 model. Someone here will have to indicate if there is a difference in oil fill procedures between years.
Either way it would be best to consult a service manual.
Regards,
Rick
caplbi said:
I want to change the gear oil in my king cobra drive. what grade oil and how many qts does it hold? Also, I have read in the forums that it is better to fill from the bottom plug than te top. Any advice is welcomed.
