Water in merc lower unit gear oil?

[brucec]

Can you tell if water is in the merc lower unit oil? The oil put in was that very expensive blue stuff from merc marine. I drained a little and it didn't have any white foaming look to it like motor oil would have.

 

[Doug Durako]

Re: Water in merc lower unit gear oil?

If you had a lot of water in it, it will come out first when you pop the bottom drain---you would know it. If it is just a little dab in there, you may have to drain a bit more to see it. It won't foam, but it will chang the color to a murky looking stuff.

 

[bob58]

Re: Water in merc lower unit gear oil?

If you have water in the lower unit it will change the color of the oil to a milky color like a car engine if it has been run since the change. If there is water in the oil, there is no sense in trying to seperate it by alowing it to sit for a long period of time and draining out the water because it is time to replace the seals!