Am I missing a step in gear lube swap?

lrdchaos

Petty Officer 1st Class
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Feb 11, 2008
Messages
265
Going to swap out me gear lube on my b3 outdrive.

So I’m going to take off the cap on the reservoir on the engine, pull the vent(upper) plug, pull the lower plug and make sure the drive is down.

Once it all drains, I will start pumping 90w high performance gear lube from the bottom hole until it runs out of the upper hole on the drive, put the plug back in and keep pumping until it backfills the reservoir. Once the reservoir is full, unscrew the pump tube and replace the bottom screw.

Did I miss anything? I also plan on replacing the plug gaskets.
 

Scott06

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Apr 20, 2014
Messages
6,444
Going to swap out me gear lube on my b3 outdrive.

So I’m going to take off the cap on the reservoir on the engine, pull the vent(upper) plug, pull the lower plug and make sure the drive is down.

Once it all drains, I will start pumping 90w high performance gear lube from the bottom hole until it runs out of the upper hole on the drive, put the plug back in and keep pumping until it backfills the reservoir. Once the reservoir is full, unscrew the pump tube and replace the bottom screw.

Did I miss anything? I also plan on replacing the plug gaskets.
you need a beer to two to drink while pumping the lube in ...other than that you have it down
 

nola mike

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Apr 22, 2009
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you need a beer to two to drink while pumping the lube in ...other than that you have it down
Wow, do you have one of those hats with the straws? BTW, while filling the gear lube the other day, I finally counted the number of pumps it took: 350. You're welcome.
 

Scott Danforth

Grumpy Vintage Moderator still playing with boats
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besides the beer or three, you may have to switch hands doing the pumping.
 

ImTheBiggerBoat

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May 4, 2021
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I'd like to jump in here for a minute if that's ok since the OP got his answer. I have an alpha 1 gen 2, just de-winterized the boat, performed all steps listed above...except, once the lube started coming out of the vent hole I screwed all plugs back in annddddd...ran the boat for about 15 minutes, 2 or 3 of those minutes at WOT. I completely forgot to pump to the reservoir. What are my chances here, just re-pump from the bottom until it's to the full line or have I possibly done serious damage to the lower unit?
 

nola mike

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Apr 22, 2009
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I'd like to jump in here for a minute if that's ok since the OP got his answer. I have an alpha 1 gen 2, just de-winterized the boat, performed all steps listed above...except, once the lube started coming out of the vent hole I screwed all plugs back in annddddd...ran the boat for about 15 minutes, 2 or 3 of those minutes at WOT. I completely forgot to pump to the reservoir. What are my chances here, just re-pump from the bottom until it's to the full line or have I possibly done serious damage to the lower unit?
In general, start your own thread. But you're fine.
 

Scott06

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Apr 20, 2014
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I'd like to jump in here for a minute if that's ok since the OP got his answer. I have an alpha 1 gen 2, just de-winterized the boat, performed all steps listed above...except, once the lube started coming out of the vent hole I screwed all plugs back in annddddd...ran the boat for about 15 minutes, 2 or 3 of those minutes at WOT. I completely forgot to pump to the reservoir. What are my chances here, just re-pump from the bottom until it's to the full line or have I possibly done serious damage to the lower unit?
Yes you are ok because drive was full covering the upper gear set. Yiu can refill reservoir as the air will work its way out. Issue is the level alarm should have gone off giving you the warning beep that should come on briefly when you start the engine , should have been constant…
 

ImTheBiggerBoat

Seaman Apprentice
Joined
May 4, 2021
Messages
33
Yes you are ok because drive was full covering the upper gear set. Yiu can refill reservoir as the air will work its way out. Issue is the level alarm should have gone off giving you the warning beep that should come on briefly when you start the engine , should have been constant…
No alarm on this dinosaur, Thanks for the info, I wasn't sure if 100% submersion was achievable by reaching the vent hole. I'll continue to fill. Again, thanks
 

Scott06

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Apr 20, 2014
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No alarm on this dinosaur, Thanks for the info, I wasn't sure if 100% submersion was achievable by reaching the vent hole. I'll continue to fill. Again, thanks
could be look on the bottom of your lube reservoir if there are two wires connected to the harness it should have an alarm.
 

Drcoffee

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Aug 26, 2021
Messages
220
Yes you are ok because drive was full covering the upper gear set. Yiu can refill reservoir as the air will work its way out. Issue is the level alarm should have gone off giving you the warning beep that should come on briefly when you start the engine , should have been constant…
I assume the alarm only sounds when the resevior is low, not the drive unit. It may take some time for the oil to migrate down to the drive befoe the alarm is activated. My guess is as long as the oil came out the upper hole you should be golden.
 

Scott06

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I assume the alarm only sounds when the resevior is low, not the drive unit. It may take some time for the oil to migrate down to the drive befoe the alarm is activated. My guess is as long as the oil came out the upper hole you should be golden.
That's correct only when reservoir is low or empty, drive would still be full. Nice design vs the gen I where if your input shaft seal goes you fill the bellows with oil and your upper runs dry...
 
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