The outboard motor needs periodic maintenance. Its components in the process are subject to significant mechanical and thermal influences. To maintain the integrity of the working surfaces and extend the life of the engine, special engine oil is used. The gearbox especially needs it. Therefore, in order to extend the life of the iron heart of the vehicle, it is necessary to replace the lubricant annually.
Changing the oil in the gearbox of the outboard motor may well be done on its own. After-sales 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, or even more often.
Boat engine features
Changing the oil in the gearbox of an outboard motor has a number of features. This is due to engine design. The gearbox and screw are under water during operation. In this case, the engine is designed so that its systems are cooled by river or sea water. It enters through special channels into the motor and is brought to friction mechanisms.
Gearbox parts are protected against moisture by special oil seals. But over time, their sealing is inevitably broken. Some water gets inside. This is one of the main differences that characterize boat motors. Changing the oil in the gearbox in this case requires the use of special tools.
Car oils, although cheaper, are not suitable for this purpose. They are not able to hold such an amount of water in suspension, preventing its contact with metal parts. High-quality outboard engine oil reliably protects the mechanism from corrosion.
Composition and viscosity
Outboard motors require a certain composition of the service substance. An oil change in the gearbox takes place with the participation of special composition agents. It includes a specific set of additives. They provide quality corrosion protection.
Also, oils for outboard motors have special emulsifying additives. They bind water, preventing it from entering the surface.
In order to ensure high-quality lubrication of the gearbox and to prevent oil starvation, the products of this type are characterized by a certain viscosity. Features of the boat's motor require the use of class 80w-90 material for mounted varieties, and 85w-90 for stationary engines. Car oil can be used in cold weather, and boat oil can only be used at temperatures above 0.
API standard
The viscosity of the oil can also be determined by the API system. In this case, it is required to use GL-4 and 5. The first variety is used when servicing hypoid or conical 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 class GL-4 agent. But you should first look at the manufacturer's operating instructions. There are recommendations for choosing lubricants.
Stationary engines are more likely to operate at 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 on parts. In loaded mechanisms with significant axial shifts, this is extremely important. Especially if there is a chance of getting some water inside. Most often, when choosing oil, they pay attention to engine power.
Motor Yamaha
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. It is also necessary to know what composition was flooded inside initially. Some types of additives may not be compatible.
Changing the oil in the Yamaha outboard motor gearbox requires special tools. The manufacturer recommends using a specially designed mixture for gears. Yamalube Gear Oil is applied to all outboard engines of the presented brand.
A special additive package demonstrates good extreme pressure properties. The strong film at the same time covers working surfaces. The tool was tested in laboratory conditions by Yamaha. The facility was granted official clearance.
Engine Mercury
The oil change in the gearbox of the Mercury outboard motor takes place according to a different scheme. The manufacturer of these engines only accepts a specific type of lubricant called Quicksilver.
The group of these oils includes 3 products. For outboard motors with power up to 70 l. from. Premium series applied.
For stationary engines with power above 70 liters. from. You will need to purchase the High Performance Series. It should be noted that the presented lubricants cannot be mixed. They have a very different additive package. If combined, the effect of the components will be significantly reduced.
A conflict of additives will lead to rust 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.
Waste Management
When the oil is changed in the gearbox of the Suzuki, Yamaha, Mercury, etc. boat engine, it is necessary to start by draining the used grease.
To do this, the engine should be placed vertically. Next, special drain plugs that the gearbox has are unscrewed.
The used oil will have a dark color. If a mass follows, the shade of which is similar to coffee with milk, depressurization of the system is possible. A slight darkening of the liquid is considered normal.
If in the course of leakage literally after a minute the trickle of oil has decreased, then a cork has formed. This is a fairly common occurrence.
The car pump will speed up the process. The nozzle corresponding to the outlet of the drain holes, if necessary, can be made independently from improvised means. After applying pressure, the spent mixture is quickly removed from the gearbox. There may be a lot of splashes, so work on the street should be done in special clothing.
Filling with new oil
Some owners of the presented vehicles claim that before filling a new mixture, the engine must be rinsed with gasoline. But the oil change in the gearbox of the Parsun, Mercury, Suzuki outboard motor and many others on this technology is unacceptable. The oil seals lose their elasticity.
The nozzle of the container with new oil is inserted into the lower hole. Fill the grease in such an amount that it appears in the upper compartment.
Further, the nozzle of the container is not removed. Screw the cap on the top hole. Before this, the gasket should be replaced. Even if it looks worn out, it needs to be updated. After that, the lower bolt also tightens. It is also required to replace the gasket. When twisting, it is not worth the effort.
Grease quantity
Changing the oil in the outboard motor gearbox is straightforward. 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 size of the motor.
On average, for equipment with a capacity of 6 liters. from. about 200 ml of grease will be required. Engine up to 30 liters. from. will require pouring about 420-450 ml of the drug into it, and up to 50 liters. from. - 600 ml. If the boat has a stationary motor with a capacity of more than 70 liters. s., the oil will leave during the procedure almost a liter.
Having familiarized yourself with the features and instructions that involves changing the oil in the gearbox of an outboard motor, you can do all the actions yourself. This will protect the engine from breakdowns and extend its life.