Empty Lower unit Gear oil

[R.Miller]

I may have an issue. I just bought my first boat last year it is a 96 spectrum pro avenger 16 it has a mercury marine force 40hp on it. I didnt quite know much about boats the guy I bought it from said he changed the bottom unit gear oil so I didnt bother checking it. I ran the boat for about 2 to 3 hours at the end of the season last year then stored it for the winter. I didnt know you had to empty the lower unit gear oil before storing it. I went to change it today and the gear oil was empty. I don't know if it was empty while I drove it last year or it leaked out during the winter. I took the propeller and the shaft out today when I found out. There was no metal shavings or anything like that and the gears looked brand new. Could I have damaged the bearings or anything else. I'm not sure what I should do at this point. I plan on taking it for a spin then changing the gear oil after that. Is there anything else I should be looking for other than just the gears.

 

[racerone]

Pressure test the gear case.-----That is how you would find a leak.----If there was no oil in there it would not last 3 hrs of running time.

 

[R.Miller]

Pressure test the gear case.-----That is how you would find a leak.----If there was no oil in there it would not last 3 hrs of running time.

Alright I will search how to do that. I also didn't see any oil on the ground where the boat was stored. If Iit was empty when I ran it would the gears just shred to pieces?

 

[The Force power]

the guy I bought it from said he changed the bottom unit gear oil so I didnt bother checking it. I ran the boat for about 2 to 3 hours at the end of the season last year then stored it for the winter. I didnt know you had to empty the lower unit gear oil before storing it.

Never trust a seller, verify everything yourself!
You don't need to drain the oil before the winter; You have to check the condition of the oil, such grey means metal shaving & & milky means water mixed in with oil
That's when you drain it a.s.a.p. to prevent rust.

Remove the lower-unit pressurize to approx. 5 to 7 psi. spray soap on the seals while turning the drive & propeller-shaft to check for bubbles
Also move the shift-shaft to see if its leaking there

I prefer to fill them from the drain- hole fill them up till it comes out of the fill-hole (& a little extra)

 

[R.Miller]

Never trust a seller, verify everything yourself!
You don't need to drain the oil before the winter; You have to check the condition of the oil, such grey means metal shaving & & milky means water mixed in with oil
That's when you drain it a.s.a.p. to prevent rust.

Remove the lower-unit pressurize to approx. 5 to 7 psi. spray soap on the seals while turning the drive & propeller-shaft to check for bubbles
Also move the shift-shaft to see if its leaking there

I prefer to fill them from the drain- hole fill them up till it comes out of the fill-hole (& a little extra)

Alright I ordered a break line bleeding pump/vacuum. I seen I can rig it up to pressure check the lower unit.
when i had the propeller and shaft out there was 2 bits of rust on a bearing. I am going to change the seals and gaskets either way just to ensure there is no water getting in. After that I will run it and then change the oil again.
I am just wondering if none of the gears looked damaged and if it does run fine after everything is done should I be alright to drive again.
The oil that I put in and drained again was a bit brownish probably from rust and some black.
I am far from a boat mechanic and just want to make sure I am not going to allow the bottom end of my motor because the force 40's aren't very common these days to find parts for

 

[The Force power]

I am just wondering if none of the gears looked damaged and if it does run fine after everything is done should I be alright to drive again.

I would be more worried about the bearings then the gears right now, keep checking the oil frequently this season
(only time will tell)

When you have the LU off also replace the Impeller, would be a shame to over heat the block after fixing the LU

 

[R.Miller]

I would be more worried about the bearings then the gears right now, keep checking the oil frequently this season
(only time will tell)

When you have the LU off also replace the Impeller, would be a shame to over heat the block after fixing the LU

Awesome thanks you for the help! I will be super cautious after fixing it and keep checking the oil after every ride