Changing Lower Unit Fluid !

[Billfo]

My boat is on Table Rock Lake. It does not leave the lake. It is up on a lift for the winter. I know it is easy to change the outboard lower unit fluid & do maintenance on dry land, but is there a way to do this without bringing the boat up on land ? I am thinking of trading off my towing vehicle since the boat will not leave the Lake.

Thanks for your input.

[fishinwrench]

Billfo, I get alot of requests to change gear lube over the water but I simply will not do it.

I know that it is an inconvienience but I recommend hauling it out on a trailer over dry land to drain the gearcase. It is near impossible to avoid loosing some into the water when attempting to do it while the boat is up on a hoist, and one tablespoon of 90W gear lube will make an oil slick as big as your living room. The fines for that, should you get caught, are hefty.

Another note: You should always change your gear lube in the Fall before freezing weather hits so that if there's any water in your gearcase you can deal with it before it freezes and busts the housing.

[Billfo]

I understand. The only reason I didnt change fluid THIS fall is because I now have the boat at Table Rock UP on a lift & I had the impression that since the Lake didnt freeze over........... well you get the idea... If it didnt bust already, I will continue doing it in the fall..

BTW, How will I know if the lower already busted or cracked ? Thanks..

Billfo, I get alot of requests to change gear lube over the water but I simply will not do it.

I know that it is an inconvienience but I recommend hauling it out on a trailer over dry land to drain the gearcase. It is near impossible to avoid loosing some into the water when attempting to do it while the boat is up on a hoist, and one tablespoon of 90W gear lube will make an oil slick as big as your living room. The fines for that, should you get caught, are hefty.

Another note: You should always change your gear lube in the Fall before freezing weather hits so that if there's any water in your gearcase you can deal with it before it freezes and busts the housing.

[denjac]

I would drop the screws in the water.

[fishinwrench]

BTW, How will I know if the lower already busted or cracked ? Thanks..

It's hard to tell sometimes (if it's on a hoist) unless you can get your head down there and inspect it real good.

Mercs and Yammi's tend to bust the bearing carrier retainer and shove the propshaft backwards when they freeze, so the first thing you notice by looking closely at it is a gap between the prop and the housing.

Johnson/Evinrudes tend to split out the side of the housing (mid-bullet)when they freeze.

Loose fishing line (especially braid) is the biggest causes of seal failure, it gets wrapped around the propshaft and cuts into the propshaft seal. And there's tons of mono and braid drifting around out there.

[Billfo]

I would imagine that if it already cracked, I would have caused a pretty big oil spill & my neighbors would have called me. I will look for that gap & if I dont see a crack, I will run my hands all around it when I get back down there & see if its oily.. Live & learn....(insert cuss words as necessary)

Thanks;

Bill

It's hard to tell sometimes (if it's on a hoist) unless you can get your head down there and inspect it real good.

Mercs and Yammi's tend to bust the bearing carrier retainer and shove the propshaft backwards when they freeze, so the first thing you notice by looking closely at it is a gap between the prop and the housing.

Johnson/Evinrudes tend to split out the side of the housing (mid-bullet)when they freeze.

Loose fishing line (especially braid) is the biggest causes of seal failure, it gets wrapped around the propshaft and cuts into the propshaft seal. And there's tons of mono and braid drifting around out there.

[exiledguide]

I would drop the screws in the water.

Me to. Then when I reached for them, I would loose my cell phone and when I tried to catch the phone I would loose my balance and. You know the rest!

[fishinwrench]

At least there are a FEW people on the planet that understand why I refuse to diagnose ignition problems and/or pull flywheels over the water.

[Billfo]

Dont blame ya..

At least there are a FEW people on the planet that understand why I refuse to diagnose ignition problems and/or pull flywheels over the water.

[Billfo]

Yeah thats what I though too. I loose enough stuff in my own driveway- let alone standing in a job boat behind a boat on a lift... but again, Im no professional.. LOL

Me to. Then when I reached for them, I would loose my cell phone and when I tried to catch the phone I would loose my balance and. You know the rest!