Lower Unit Oil?

[csherrill2]

Okay I know you get what you pay for but I want to know what I can or cannot use on my mercruiser outdrive. The boat is a 1997 Bayliner Capri 2052 cuddy. The outdrive serial number is 0K063144. I have read about two different oils I am thinking of using and would love some feedback. One is the Pennzoil marine 80w90 which looks tempting at around 5 dollars a quart. There are reviews on other websites that it will not clog the reservoir hose to the lower unit and has good characteristics for the 3.0L motor. Then there is the MERCURY quicksilver marine brand oil. There are two types here, one is for all outdrives 75HP and above, and since mine has a 160 HP 4.3L Mercury I/O engine, thats the application I would need. Here is my dilemma it is 12 dollars a quart, and they say it will clog the reservoir easily. Now I would like to go with the Pennzoil marine oil, but I dont know if I will be harming the gears in the lower unit just to prevent a clog in the reservoir or not. It does not have a Horse Power Rating on the Pennzoil, but it IS marine grade oil. Any knowledge on this would be awesome. And any more questions would be fantastic. Thanks!

 

[oldjeep]

Re: Lower Unit Oil?

Clog the reservoir? That makes no sense, the mercruiser/quicksilver lube is what comes in them from the factory.

This is the correct lube for your sterndrive - the other stuff may work too, but for $24 vs $10 once a year who cares.
http://www.mercurymarine.com/parts-...cision-lubricants/high-performance-gear-lube/

 

[csherrill2]

Re: Lower Unit Oil?

Thanks OJ. That looks like the stuff I would use if I could find it. But here in Fayetteville, NC. Marine shops are as rare as dental floss at a willie nelson concert. The closest places only carries the mercury quicksilver high performance which is a SAE 90 weight oil as opposed to the premium quicksilver thats only SAE 80w90 but the 90 weight is what mercury is rating for my boat of 75 HP and up. Next problem, I had some water leak into my lower unit oil and I want something to run for like 4 hours to flush and clean the rest of the BLEH out of it before I put the right stuff in. Just want to make sure im not going to harm anything in my spastic desperation to save a few bucks. Especially in this tight economical strain.

 

[oldjeep]

Re: Lower Unit Oil?

Looks like your closest west Marine is in Raleigh. Around here you can get the quicksilver lubes and filters from Fleet Farm, Napa or O'Reilly auto

 

[csherrill2]

Re: Lower Unit Oil?

Yes I can go to walmart and possibly the auto parts store to get the filters and oil, but im wondering what the difference is in the quicksilver marine oil, and the pennzoil marine oil. other than one is sae90 and the other is sae 80w90. But as far as usage, can I use the pennzoil and not harm any gears or bearings on the outdrive?

 

[HT32BSX115]

Re: Lower Unit Oil?

The boat is a 1997 Bayliner Capri 2052 cuddy.

Howdy,

Your drive is an Alpha GEN II

Mercury RECOMMENDS Mercury HP gear oil. It's a synthetic. (by the way.....THERE IS NO ASTM or SAE MARINE GEAR OIL SPECIFICATION)

So, my twisted logic would say that ANY synthetic (or ANY) gear oil would be "ok"...... Most use Merc HP (like they recommend) , some here use Mobil1 and some others use Amsoil synthetic (marine) gear oil and others................


You're only changing it once a year or so............... is $12 a qt, (2 qts or so.......) PER YEAR, REALLY going to break you when a typical gas tank fill-up is about $80-100? (20x$4-5)..........hmmm?........

but for $24 vs $10 once a year who cares.

um.........yeah..........

I could tell you what I use in my Bravo..........but I won't..........cuz it's a secret....


Cheers,


Rick

 

[csherrill2]

Re: Lower Unit Oil?

Went to my local marina today, they said "they recommend the mercury brand, but as long as it is marine grade it really doesn't matter. So I opted for the cheaper pennzoil marine 80w90 that anyone carries, auto parts stores, walmart, etc. Will get back to let everyone know how it works. I think as long as you run a good quality marine grade oil you are okay.

 

[Oshkosh1]

Re: Lower Unit Oil?

I think as long as you run a good quality marine grade oil you are okay.

They are and you are correct...

People get up in arms about brand name. They'll talk about a bunch of specs that don't mean a whole lot to the average user, under average conditions.

Even more important than name is to keep it(the gearcase) full, keep the oil changed every year, and if you see signs of water intrusion...FIX IT.

Many people use regular 80/90 with no ill effects in all sorts of inboards/outboards.

 

[bnicov]

Re: Lower Unit Oil?

I'd drain the lower unit and pressure test it before worrying about filling it up with brand 'x' oil. You have water intrusion and that's the big issue here. Don't mess around with it because it could end up costing you your lower unit. If the manufacturer calls for full sythetic, that's what you should use. Not semi synthetic or mineral based. You can order it online here if need be. Use the correct fluids and rule out any lubrication problems that could cost you big $$$ later because you were too cheap to spring for the right stuff. You WILL KICK YOURSELF IN THE A........S if a problem arises.

 

[rick3452]

Re: Lower Unit Oil?

Howdy,

Your drive is an Alpha GEN II

Mercury RECOMMENDS Mercury HP gear oil. It's a synthetic. (by the way.....THERE IS NO ASTM or SAE MARINE GEAR OIL SPECIFICATION)

So, my twisted logic would say that ANY synthetic (or ANY) gear oil would be "ok"...... Most use Merc HP (like they recommend) , some here use Mobil1 and some others use Amsoil synthetic (marine) gear oil and others................


You're only changing it once a year or so............... is $12 a qt, (2 qts or so.......) PER YEAR, REALLY going to break you when a typical gas tank fill-up is about $80-100? (20x$4-5)..........hmmm?........um.........yeah..........

I could tell you what I use in my Bravo..........but I won't..........cuz it's a secret....


Cheers,


Rick

Once a year!!! I change mine at leaste 3 times a year (every 100 hrs)

Bravo 3 Merc HP

Whats your secret Rick????

Regards....

Rick

 

[HT32BSX115]

Re: Lower Unit Oil?

Once a year!!! I change mine at leaste 3 times a year (every 100 hrs)

Bravo 3 Merc HP

Whats your secret Rick????

Regards....

Rick

I just filled up the Liberator a couple of days ago. It took 43.x gallons at about $180

If you're running 300 hours a year and you burn an average of even 5 gal/hr, that's 1500 gallons!

At $4/gallon, that's $6000. 3 drive oil changes is a "Drop in the bucket" by comparison!!

Secret? Well, if I told anyone it wouldn't be a secret would it?