Hi all,
I did a search for this but couldn't find exactly what I was looking for; if it is out there, I apologize for missing it. I've got a Mercruiser 3.7L 4-cylinder, the number on the top is 170 (I've been told it is 170 hp, so I'm not sure if that number is the model, hp, or both). The outdrive, based on what I've read here about identifying them, is an Alpha One.
My post has to do with the stern drive gear oil, and it is probably a very basic thing so please don't laugh too much at the new guy. I was reading about checking the oil in the manual and thought it would be a good idea if I did it, since I bought the boat in April and hadn't checked it yet. Well I somehow missed the part about the outdrive being full up; I had it down, and the oil vent cap popped off real quick and blue-green gear oil started leaking out. It made a puddle about 4" in diameter on the ground by the time I reread the manual and put the drive up.
So now I have a few questions:
1. Did I hurt anything?
2. The manual says that the oil level should be to the bottom of the oil vent hole. It is now not of course, but the manual also says that when changing the oil, you are supposed to add to the oil drain and not the oil vent (to prevent air entrapment). Is this the same story for the top-off I now need to do, or can I simply add to the vent hole until the level it is even with the bottom of it?
3. The manual seems to suggest there is some sort of pump used to feed the oil into the oil drain. I have never used one; what kind of pump is it and where would I get it?
This is probably old hat for your guys, but it is my first boat and I'm learning all the time. Thanks for your help.
I did a search for this but couldn't find exactly what I was looking for; if it is out there, I apologize for missing it. I've got a Mercruiser 3.7L 4-cylinder, the number on the top is 170 (I've been told it is 170 hp, so I'm not sure if that number is the model, hp, or both). The outdrive, based on what I've read here about identifying them, is an Alpha One.
My post has to do with the stern drive gear oil, and it is probably a very basic thing so please don't laugh too much at the new guy. I was reading about checking the oil in the manual and thought it would be a good idea if I did it, since I bought the boat in April and hadn't checked it yet. Well I somehow missed the part about the outdrive being full up; I had it down, and the oil vent cap popped off real quick and blue-green gear oil started leaking out. It made a puddle about 4" in diameter on the ground by the time I reread the manual and put the drive up.
So now I have a few questions:
1. Did I hurt anything?
2. The manual says that the oil level should be to the bottom of the oil vent hole. It is now not of course, but the manual also says that when changing the oil, you are supposed to add to the oil drain and not the oil vent (to prevent air entrapment). Is this the same story for the top-off I now need to do, or can I simply add to the vent hole until the level it is even with the bottom of it?
3. The manual seems to suggest there is some sort of pump used to feed the oil into the oil drain. I have never used one; what kind of pump is it and where would I get it?
This is probably old hat for your guys, but it is my first boat and I'm learning all the time. Thanks for your help.