How to change lower gear oil

[sadutil]

I have a 1988 four winns 215 sundowner with a 5.0 V8 motor and a OMC drive. I was wondering. I drained the oil from the lower plug yesterday. I went to re-plenish the oil from using the bottom and going to where it comes out in the middle plug. I was told I should fill from the middle. Is it ok that I filler from the bottom to it came out in the second plug and then fill from the middle til I see it on the dipsticks? how many quarts should it take 2.5? thanks

 

[HT32BSX115]

Re: How to change lower gear oil

Evidently you don't have an OEM OMC service manual?

That is a "Dog-clutch" Cobra, The manual indicates that you fill from the "FILL" port until the dipstick indicates FULL when resting on the hole where it screws into.

Then you run the drive and subsequent level checks are accomplished with the dipstick screwed all the way in.

There are people out there that suggest doing it the way you mentioned. It may work but it's not how OMC suggested doing it.


Good luck!


Rick

 

[sea wolf]

Re: How to change lower gear oil

I have a 1988 four winns 215 sundowner with a 5.0 V8 motor and a OMC drive. I was wondering. I drained the oil from the lower plug yesterday. I went to re-plenish the oil from using the bottom and going to where it comes out in the middle plug. I was told I should fill from the middle. Is it ok that I filler from the bottom to it came out in the second plug and then fill from the middle til I see it on the dipsticks? how many quarts should it take 2.5? thanks

Why don't you just do it the proper way, per the manuel, instead of screwing around?

 

[Gary H NC]

Re: How to change lower gear oil

It should hold at least 64 ounces...some drives were like 76 ounces..So yep,about 2 to 2 1/2 quarts.

 

[sadutil]

Re: How to change lower gear oil

Why don't you just do it the proper way, per the manuel, instead of screwing around?

Sea Wolf, I planned on doing it the proper way however I didn't realize that was how it was suppose to be done and I only had 2 quarts with me and I filled from the bottom. Therefore the remaining 1/2 quart I will be putting in I will do from the middle plug and I wanted to verify this was ok. I would call it screwing around though.. Maybe slightly confused.

 

[bruceb58]

Re: How to change lower gear oil

After you fill it, let it sit a day and check the level again in case you have a bubble. I check the level in my drive every time I take the boat out.

 

[sea wolf]

Re: How to change lower gear oil

Sea Wolf, I planned on doing it the proper way however I didn't realize that was how it was suppose to be done and I only had 2 quarts with me and I filled from the bottom. Therefore the remaining 1/2 quart I will be putting in I will do from the middle plug and I wanted to verify this was ok. I would call it screwing around though.. Maybe slightly confused.

Sorry, didn't mean to be a wise guy. However, seeing that you put 2 qts. in from the bottom, {which you're not supposed to do} & you're going to top off the remaining 1/2 qt. from the middle plug, unless I'm mistaken you run the risk of the top half of the drive running dry. Better keep a close watch on the dipstick before you run it. Or drain the gear oil & do it the proper way. Hey, I could be wrong, but if it runs dry it's goodbye gearset. It's your call.

 

[bruceb58]

Re: How to change lower gear oil

No need to drain the gear oil. It may take awhile for the drive to burp the bubble that may be in there though.