Can I fill my lower unit from the top?

[ZmOz]

I bought a quart of Amsoil gear lube for the lower unit of my Mercury inline 6. I know normally you're supposed to squeeze the lube into the bottom hole until it comes out the vent, but of course that wouldn't work well out of a wide mouth quart bottle. I have a 60cc syringe (no needle), can I just inject the oil into the vent hole unit it's full? Or will air get trapped somewhere?

 

[Dhadley]

Re: Can I fill my lower unit from the top?

You might get by without trapping any air. Just for giggles, look at the lower unit section here and see what a repalcement costs. Then look at the cost of the little pump bottle. Just curious as to how they compare....

 

[Terry H]

Re: Can I fill my lower unit from the top?

I've had to do that a couple of times and it did take a couple of tries to get it full but it worked. It traps air so you turn the prop and add some more. next day add some more till it is full. Your oil is thin and may work better. Set aside the amount you need to use, and don't quit till it's all inside the gearbox.. Chief <br />Actually I like the Dh method, buy the pump. ;

 

[ZmOz]

Re: Can I fill my lower unit from the top?

Originally posted by Dhadley:<br />Then look at the cost of the little pump bottle.

I'm not spending $15 and waiting a week just for a pump that won't even fit my Amsoil bottle...

 

[willamettejeff]

Re: Can I fill my lower unit from the top?

Buy the pump, IMHO. You should drain and refill the LU to winterize it each year anyway, so the pump will get plenty of use.

 

[willamettejeff]

Re: Can I fill my lower unit from the top?

Could just transfer the Amsoil to a bottle the pump will fit.

 

[IBFishing]

Re: Can I fill my lower unit from the top?

Originally posted by ZmOz:<br /> I'm not spending $15 and waiting a week just for a pump that won't even fit my Amsoil bottle...

I got mine at Walmart. It came with a bottle of Penzoil marine lube. Can't remember what it cost though.

 

[JB]

Re: Can I fill my lower unit from the top?

Strange contradiction there.<br /><br />Using Am$oil, presumable because he expects it to do better than standard stuff. No comment on that.<br /><br />Too cheap to invest in the pump to do it right for years to come.<br /><br />Doesn't seem compatible.

 

[Perfidiajoe]

Re: Can I fill my lower unit from the top?

Boy I'm shocked that no one came up w/ the old mustard, or catsup squeeze bottle trick. It will work but I have 2 pumps, I hate oil running down my arm!!!

 

[ZmOz]

Re: Can I fill my lower unit from the top?

Originally posted by JB:<br />Too cheap to invest in the pump to do it right for years to come.

It's not a matter of cheap...it's a matter of spending way, way, WAY too much on this damn boat and getting no results for the past two years. The reason I got Amsoil is because it's better than no name dino oil, and cheaper at the same time. A quart of Amsoil is under $7, where crap LU oil is $3/10oz tube. I will not have a lower unit to fill for "many years to come", as soon as spring gets here this thing will be gone and replaced with a jet.<br /><br />If I could just go down to walmart and buy a pump I would, but there are no walmarts anywhere near me. The only way for me to buy a pump is to order it online and pay too much and wait for shipping, or drive a long way in heavy traffic to pay too much at an overpriced marine store.

 

[LubeDude]

Re: Can I fill my lower unit from the top?

Any Parts store should have a gear oil pump??

 

[Vlad D Impeller]

Re: Can I fill my lower unit from the top?

Originally posted by ZmOz:<br />

Originally posted by JB:<br />Too cheap to invest in the pump to do it right for years to come.

It's not a matter of cheap...<br /><br />Who are you trying to kid?<br />I was thinking of placing a bet that you're the cheapest dude on iboats, but i decided against it because i may not have any takers

 

[JasonJ]

Re: Can I fill my lower unit from the top?

I don't know, I'd take the bet. I still fondly remember the gas can idea....<br /><br />Maybe if you squirt with the syringe, turn the prop, tilt the motor once in awhile to try and move any air bubbles around. I would think, if there was a way to raise the bow and tuck the motor all the way in, that the air bubbles would be more likely to roll up to the top.

 

[JB]

Re: Can I fill my lower unit from the top?

Well, I guess that if you are paying less for the Amsoil than standard gearcase lube there isn't an inconsistency.<br /><br />I like the recycled Catsup bottle idea, though.

 

[Paul Moir]

Re: Can I fill my lower unit from the top?

Go get the damn pump. You'll thank yourself for it as it is good for your sanity. It makes lower unit oil changes much less messy, and far more relaxed. It looks like this:<br />

<br />I paid $11 Canadian for mine at the local Canadian Tire. That's really outrageous for a $2 hand cream pump and fitting, but now I would $25 if that's what they asked.<br />These fit the standard plastic screw thread (didn't notice it's standard?) that's used on the tops of all normal oil bottles.

 

[CATransplant]

Re: Can I fill my lower unit from the top?

Aw, man...just buy the darned pump. You'll use it many times. It's the cheapest and most useful tool you can buy for your outboard.<br /><br />As for the Amsoil...whatever...<br /><br />Me, I use the oil type recommended for my outboard. I can't imagine doing otherwise.

 

[CATransplant]

Re: Can I fill my lower unit from the top?

Double post...sorry.

 

[umblecumbuz]

Re: Can I fill my lower unit from the top?

Chief 101:Set aside the amount you need to use, and don't quit till it's all inside the gearbox

That's the most sensible thing I've read on this post so far. Foolproof. If you can't get the oil in, it ain't there.<br /><br />In this hot climate where oil's thin, that's what we often do - using a small brass tube with a bent nozzle. We tie the tube to the leg with the nozzle inside the top hole, fill it and go away and do other jobs - refilling now and then till all the oil's gone.

 

[alden135]

Re: Can I fill my lower unit from the top?

Originally posted by ZmOz:<br />

<br /> but there are no walmarts anywhere near me.

Is that even possible?

 

[Moody Blue]

Re: Can I fill my lower unit from the top?

Aren't you glad you asked ? Its your boat, your money. Spend it any way you like. I'm sure if you are able to get most of the oil in it will be OK. Probably. Chief101 had a great idea by first setting out the amount specified in the manual.<br /><br />I have one of the pumps and they aren't all they are cracked up to be. STill messy getting the fitting off then putting the screw back in. Now you have to empty the pump and clean it before putting it away. Its a messy job no matter how its done. The manual for my motor states a 12oz capacity. I have never been able to get more than 10oz into it, pump or no pump.