LOWER UNIT OILS

[MELSNER]

JOHNSON PREMIUM vs HIVIS vs HYPOID vs MERCURY HI PERFORMANCE vs GL5

I have specifically 86 Johnson 70hp and 73 Merc 500 50hp, and many small HP outboards ranging from 72 Evinrude 6hp to a 1946 Elgin none have electric shift.

I recently aquired 1957 18hp Evinrude and noticed some evidence of water in the LU, so I drained it and pulled a bunch of fishing line from the prop, hopefully though it was the bad washer seal on one of the plugs.

One LOCAL Marina says JOHNSON PREMIUM BLEND will in all the above applications...another mechanic says Mecury Hi Performance will work in all applications I have.

This information conflicts with other things I have read here and elsewere.

Can someone repsond to the question is there a single solution ?

 

[guywithboat]

Re: LOWER UNIT OILS

I would contact Johnson directly, or if available an owners manual.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: LOWER UNIT OILS

All of the brand names (some are synthetic and some are conventional oils) any will work in your motors. The only exception would be the Johnson/Evinrude electric shift models that required a special lub.

 

[packrat]

Re: LOWER UNIT OILS

since I have one of the electric shift evinrudes, what is the special lube called? Can anyone tell me?

 

[Paul Moir]

Re: LOWER UNIT OILS

"Premium Blend" for electric shifts. Only the OMC brand for selectric shifts.

Premium Blend won't work in the '57 or the little J/Es so well. They want HiVis or another brand of 90 weight outboard gearcase lube. Don't use auto stuff as there are no emulsifiers.

If I wanted to use one type only for all those, it would be Johnson/Evinrude "Ultra-HPF". Just an opinion there though. I don't know the Merc oils well.

 

[F_R]

Re: LOWER UNIT OILS

I don't think that '46 Elgin uses oil. Use Lubriplate 105 grease in it. Oil will quickly leak out.

 

[MELSNER]

Re: LOWER UNIT OILS

I don't think that '46 Elgin uses oil. Use Lubriplate 105 grease in it. Oil will quickly leak out.

Ok you got me on the Elgin I just mentioned it to illustrate that I was kinda looking for 1 solution.

 

[MELSNER]

Re: LOWER UNIT OILS

I pretty much got the idea the Premium Blend was required in Electric Shift but would work in most newer motors.

The johnson bottle says 68 and newer I think on it.

I will pickup some "Ultra-HPF" or HIVIS for the Older models.