Changing the oil in the outboard motor gearbox: features, process description and recommendations

2024 Author: Henry Conors | [email protected]. Last modified: 2024-02-12 02:55

The outboard motor needs periodic maintenance. Its components during operation are subjected to significant mechanical and thermal influences. To maintain the integrity of working surfaces and extend the life of the engine, a special engine oil is used. Especially the gearbox needs it. Therefore, in order to extend the life of the iron heart of the vehicle, it is necessary to change the lubricant annually.

Changing the oil in the gearbox of the outboard motor may well be done on its own. Service will cost much more. Over time, any oil ceases to cope with the functions assigned to it. Therefore, maintenance is carried out at least once a year, and even more often.

Boat engine features

Changing the oil in the outboard motor gearbox has a number of features. It has to do with the design of the engine. The gearbox and propeller are under water during operation. At the same time, the engine is designed so that its systems are cooled with the help of river or sea water. She entersthrough special channels inside the motor and is driven to rubbing mechanisms.

Details of the gearbox are protected from moisture by special seals. But over time, their sealing is inevitably broken. Some water gets inside. This is one of the main differences that characterize outboard motors. Changing the oil in the gearbox in this case requires the use of special tools.

Automotive oils, although cheaper, are not suitable for these purposes. They are not able to hold such an amount of water in suspension, preventing its contact with metal parts. Quality boat engine oil reliably protects the mechanism from corrosion.

Composition and viscosity

Outboard motors require a certain composition of the service substance. Changing the oil in the gearbox takes place with the participation of a special composition. It includes a certain set of additives. They provide high quality corrosion protection.

Also, outboard motor oils contain special emulsifying additives. They bind water, preventing it from reaching surfaces.

To ensure high-quality lubrication of the gearbox and prevent oil starvation, the products of the presented type are characterized by a certain viscosity. Features of the operation of the boat motor require the use of 80w-90 class substance for mounted varieties, and 85w-90 for stationary engines. Car oil canbe operated in frost, and boat - only at temperatures above 0.

API Standard

Oil viscosity can also be determined by the API system. In this case, it is required to use GL-4 and 5 tools. The first variety is used when servicing hypoid or cone gears that operate under light or medium loads. Changing the oil in the gearbox of an outboard motor most often involves the use of a GL-4 class product. But first of all, you should look at the instruction manual from the manufacturer. Recommendations for the selection of lubricants are indicated there.

Stationary engines often operate under significant loads. Therefore, it is preferable to use GL-5 class oil for them. It contains a sufficient amount of extreme pressure additives that prevent wear of parts. In loaded mechanisms with significant axial shifts, this is extremely important. Especially if there is a possibility of some water getting inside. Most often, when choosing oil, they pay attention to engine power.

Yamaha engine

Each manufacturer of boat engines allows certain types of oils to be used for their mechanisms. This must be taken into account when replacing them. You also need to know what composition was originally poured inside. Some types of additives may not be compatible.

Changing the oil in the Yamaha outboard motor gearbox requires specialfunds. The manufacturer recommends using a specially designed mixture for gears. Yamalube Gear Oil is applied to all outboard engines of the represented brand.

Special additive package exhibits good EP properties. A durable film covers the work surfaces. The tool has been tested in the laboratory by Yamaha. The presented product has been officially approved.

Mercury engine

Changing the oil in the gearbox of the outboard motor "Mercury" occurs according to a different scheme. The manufacturer of these engines only allows the use of a specific type of lubricant called Quicksilver.

The group of these oils includes 3 products. For outboard motors up to 70 hp. with. Premium series applies.

For stationary engines above 70 hp. with. you will need to purchase the High Performance series. It should be noted that the lubricants presented cannot be mixed. They have a very different package of additives. If they are combined, the action of the components will be significantly reduced.

Additive conflict will result in rust formation on work surfaces. In this case, you will have to repair the motor very soon or even purchase a new device. Therefore, the choice of oil must be approached very responsibly.

Disposal of waste product

When the oil is changed in the gearbox of the outboard motor "Suzuki", "Yamaha", "Mercury", etc., it is necessary to start by drainingused grease.

To do this, the engine must be placed vertically. Next, the special drain plugs that the gearbox has are unscrewed.

The used oil will be dark in color. If a mass flows out, the shade of which is similar to coffee with milk, the system may be depressurized. A slight darkening of the liquid is considered normal.

If, in the process of flowing out, just a minute later, a trickle of oil has decreased, then a cork has formed. This is quite common.

The car pump will speed up the process. A nozzle corresponding to the outlet of the drain holes, if necessary, can be made independently from improvised means. After applying pressure, the exhaust mixture is quickly removed from the gearbox. There may be a lot of splashing, so work outdoors in protective clothing.

Filling new oil

Some owners of the presented vehicles claim that the engine must be flushed with gasoline before filling with a new mixture. But changing the oil in the gearbox of the Parsun, Mercury, Suzuki and many others outboard motors using this technology is unacceptable. The seals lose their elasticity.

The spout of the container with new oil is inserted into the bottom hole. Fill with lubricant in such quantity that it appears in the upper compartment.

Next, the spout of the container is not removed. Screw the cap on the top hole. Before thatgasket should be replaced. Even if it looks unworn, it needs to be updated. After that, the bottom bolt is also twisted. The gasket also needs to be replaced. When twisting, force should not be applied.

Amount of grease

Changing the oil in the outboard motor gearbox is not difficult. It should be noted that the amount of lubricant that is poured into the gearbox depends on the engine power. This is due to the large dimensions of the motor.

On average for equipment with a capacity of 6 liters. with. about 200 ml of lubricant will be required. Engine up to 30 HP with. will require pouring about 420-450 ml of the product into it, and up to 50 liters. with. - 600 ml. If the boat is equipped with a stationary motor with a capacity of more than 70 hp. with., almost a liter of oil will go away during the procedure.

After reviewing the features and instructions that involve changing the oil in the outboard motor gearbox, you can do all the steps yourself. This will protect the engine from breakdowns and extend its life.