Page 56 - Lady Bass Digital Magazine Classic 2022
P. 56

Tips for Regular Maintenance



                                        Part 7: Lower Unit


     Next, it is time to focus on the lower unit. Most manufac-  tic pump tube fitting into the
     turers recommend you change out the lower unit oil every   bottom drain plug. Be careful, it
     100 hours of operation. Make sure you check your own-     is plastic. Once secured, begin to
     er’s manual and use the correct lubricant for your specific   pump the oil into the lower unit.
     engine.                                                   It takes about 15-17 ounces to
                                                               fill. When oil starts coming out
     The tools you will need are the gear lube, a good screw-  of the overflow (top hole), the
     driver, a set of gloves to keep your                      lower unit is filled. Replace the
     hands from getting oil all over them,                     top drain with gasket or over-
     and a good large tub to capture the                       flow plug first and tighten. This
     oil. There is a kit with a screw attach-                  will create a vacuum and reducing the leaking from the
     ment for filling if you choose to use                     lower drain plug. Remove the plastic pump tube fitting and
     this. Select a container with a screw                     replace the lower drain plug with gasket and tighten. Clean
     cap or lid will allow you to recycle                      up any oil.
     the oil. The final things you will need
     are a lot of rags to wipe off and clean                   When you drain the oil, one of the things you want to look
     the motor after you are done.                             for is if there is a milky or mustard color. The oil will be
                                                               naturally thicker, but if the milky or mustard color is pres-
     If you are working on older                               ent, this is an indication that water has gotten into your
     Mercury engine, you must                                  lower unit. If there is no milky or mustard color, there
     remove the prop to access the                             can still be issues. Be sure to check the oil for any metal
     lower drain plug for changing                             shavings. A few shavings are normal, but the presence of
     the lower unit oil. On other                              a lot of metal shavings signals unnecessary wear and tear.
     outboard engines, the process is                          If either of these are present, you need to get your motor
     the same for draining the lower                           to your dealer to let them look at it and change any seals
     unit. It is a matter of locating                          necessary, or to find out if there is something more serious
     the upper and lower drain plugs.                          going on.


     On the new four strokes, both drain plugs can only be ac-
     cessed by removing the prop.
     On the four stroke engines,
     you still start by removing
     the lower drain plug first. Be
     sure to get the yellow rubber
     gasket that comes off with it.
     Check for damage and re-
     place if necessary. Nothing is                            It is critically important to wipe the spindle and the hub
     coming out yet because it is                              making sure there is no debris. The hub has splines that
     totally sealed. Fluid will start                          should like up with the gaps on the spindle.  Once the hub
     to drain once you break open the upper drain plug. Under   is one, you can now put the prop back on. Be sure to put
     normal conditions it will take about 30 minutes to drain   all the parts on in exactly the reverse order in which they
     due to the thickness of the oil.                          were removed. The big washer goes on first, followed by
                                                               the flat washer. Next will be the bowed washer. You want
     Once the oil has drained, trim up a little to make accessing  the bow out toward you when you install it. Finally put the
     the drain plugs a little easier. Also, this is a great time to   prop nut on and tighten it down. Remember to use a brace
     do a little cleanup of the excess oil. Next, thread the plas-  to secure the prop when tightening or loosening for that
                                                               matter.
    54  Lady Bass Anglers Association             Maintenance Tips- Part 7: Lower Unit
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