Change drive lube with oil monitor bottle?

[tmh]

I recently had to get a new upper (gears fried due to oil leak) and should change the lube oil after 10 hours or so per the SE instructions. The mechanic installed a mercruiser gear lube monitor bottle that holds some extra lube and can be seen on the inside of the transom to watch for oil loss.

I've never changed the lube oil myself but I want to learn how. I assume there is a special tool (any good places to buy online?) to pump the oil up thru the drive. What I'm wondering is how and when do I thread the monitor line back into the top of the drive? I think it goes in where the top plug would be. So do I keep the line in and force oil back up into the monitor bottle from the bottom of the drive? Or do I fill the drive until it comes out the top, then thread the line back in and fill the bottle?

The mechanic said to use HP fluid which I see from a search here is High Performance lube oil which I can get at West Marine at their high prices. I'm not in the mood to gamble so I'll use just what he says!

 

[John_S]

Re: Change drive lube with oil monitor bottle?

I drain the lube bottle after I remove the drive for winter storage. A thick oil residue forms on the bottom of the container. I used a little kerosene to rinse it out.

The drive oil replacement is very straight forward, and the pump is a low cost item. It screws into the top of the oil container. Follow the OEM service manual.

 

[Uraijit]

Re: Change drive lube with oil monitor bottle?

You want one of these pumps http://www.sterndrive.info/sterndriveparts/oil_pump.html

It screws directly into the bottle of gear lube, and then screws into the drain plug of the drive. Pump it until oil comes out the vent hole. Then plug the vent hole, and continue pumping until oil comes into the remote reservoir. Then remove the pump, and install the drain plug. Top of the reservoir, and you're good to go.

Here's a vid: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5USIq0Fb9Lc&feature

 

[Deanrw3]

Re: Change drive lube with oil monitor bottle?

Just wondering if it matters.. but the manual says to do it a different way.

It says to fill till it comes out the vent hole,
Then pour oil in the reservoir until it comes out the vent hole, then plug the vent hole and top off. It does not say to pump until it shows in the reservoir.

I have heard it done the way the above is stated but, wondering what is the difference or if there is any.

Thanks,

dean

 

[Uraijit]

Re: Change drive lube with oil monitor bottle?

Best to go by whatever your specific manual says.

 

[tmh]

Re: Change drive lube with oil monitor bottle?

OK, thanks all. It looks like either method accomplishes the task, but I agree that the specific manual instructions may be the best way to go. Thanks for the video link - that sure make it less intimidating for a first timer! Even I can do that.

I'll pick up the tool soon and have at it when I have the boat out of the water in 2 weeks.