changing lower unit oil force 85- need advise

[candiaoh]

I am attempting to change the LU oil on a Force 85. I see that it has a fill hole and a vent hole. I also see the allen screw at the botton drain hole.

Question- can the LU oil be pumped out and refilled from the top, or do I need to remove the drain screw?

Also, unlike other LU I have seen, do you need to fill it from the bottom-up, or do you use the fill hole? Has me confused.

Can anyone chime in?

 

[further]

Re: changing lower unit oil force 85- need advise

Drain the old oil from the bottom drain screw. be sure to open the vent screw to get all oil out. once drained replace drain screw. leave vent screw out and pump new oil in through fill hole until oil comes out of vent hole then replace all screws with new washers.
good luck.

 

[roscottjr]

Re: changing lower unit oil force 85- need advise

From what I understand, be sure the drain screw you use is the one pointing straight down at the ground. The one pointing to the side is for the shifter and Ive heard it is a pain to get back in.

Drain from screw pointing straight down, let sit so all oil comes out, remove fill and vent screws to release the vacuum and alow the oil to drain. When all oil is out replace the drain screw, fill thru fill hole until oil comes out vent. Let sit for about 20-30 minutes so all air bubbles work their way to the top, then fill again, continue until no more air bubbles come out. Replace the washers on fill and vent screws and reinstall washers.

Robert

 

[candiaoh]

Re: changing lower unit oil force 85- need advise

Maybe I am looking in the wrong place. Slightly above the cav plate I see the vent and fill screws (clearly marked). On the left side, near the bottom (but on the side) I see another screw. Its directly behind the prop. It appears to be a slotted screw. I do not see any other screws in the area.

 

[roscottjr]

Re: changing lower unit oil force 85- need advise

I didnt see it on mine either. You will have to look under the foot. If the engine is all the way down, which it should be for filling the gearcase, the screw will be under the foot point straight to the ground. However, this I know is the case with mine, Im not positive on yours. If you will give me the year model I will look it up and make sure.

Robert

 

[candiaoh]

Re: changing lower unit oil force 85- need advise

Its an '86 or '87 Force 85hp

 

[foodfisher]

Re: changing lower unit oil force 85- need advise

STOP looking at the lower slotted screw, unless you're masochistic. Further down, under the bullet shape, as mentioned previously, pointing to the ground is another screw. Probably an allen head. That's the drain.

 

[roscottjr]

Re: changing lower unit oil force 85- need advise

yes the screw is under the bullet and on the opposite side of the skeg as the prop.

Some say that it is probably an allen head screw, mine is a flathead.

Robert