Wakeboarding - April 01, 2018

34 | BOATINGMAG.COM | APRIL 2018

BOAT DOCTOR ///QUICK STUDY

Every 100 hours, or at least once per year, you

need to drain and refi ll the gear-case lubricant, aka

lower unit. Between changes you can quickly pull

and eyeball the magnetized drain plug, looking

for water and substantial metal shavings. If you

discover either of these, you should replace the

lube — then see a dealer for service. —John Tiger

THE RIGHT STUFF

Check with your engine

manual for the correct

type and quantity of lu-

bricant for your engine.

There are dif erent

specs and weights for

gear-case lubricants.

GO WITH FLOW

Run the engine for a

few minutes on a fl ush-

er to warm up the lube,

particularly if it is cold

outside. A heat gun,

hair dryer or halogen

work lamp applied judi-

ciously will also warm

up the lube quickly so it

will fl ow well.

NEAT AND TIDY

Make sure the drain

pan is positioned under

the lower drain screw

so lubricant won’t

splash out onto the

ground. A makeshift

pan, made by cutting

the side out of a gallon

jug of motor oil or

antifreeze, works well

and even has a spout for

pouring of the used oil.

FILL ’ER UP!

Remove the vent (top

screw) and then remove

the drain ( bottom

screw). It’s important

to use a correctly sized

( big) screwdriver to

avoid stripping the head

of the tightly torqued

screws. Once they are

out, be patient waiting

for the oil to drain.

BE QUICK, NOW!

Insert the lube spout

into the lower (drain)

hole and fi ll. When

lube oozes out the vent

(top) hole, you know it

is full. Replace the vent

screw while keeping the

spout in place. Quickly

replace the drain screw.

NEW, NEW, NEW

Use new gaskets when

reinserting the drain/

fi ll and vent screws.

These gaskets are rigid,

and it may prove help-

ful to screw them on by

gripping them gently

but fi rmly with pliers.

PATIENCE

Air bubbles can form if

you try to fi ll too quick-

ly, which may starve

the upper drive-shaft

bearing of lubricant.

Spin the prop a bit

while fi lling to help ex-

pel the air pocket. Once

oil oozes from the vent

the fi rst time, wait a few

minutes, then pump

some more in.

QUICK TIP

While you’re changing the lube, remove the propeller

and check for fi shing-line snarls behind the thrust

washer; grease the prop shaft and reinstall the prop.

PHOTOS: JOHN TIGER, COURTESY BEL-RAY MARINE (SYNTHETIC OIL)

REPLACING

GEAR-CASE

LUBRICANT

Master this task and do it at least

once a year.

Bel-Ray Marine Synthetic Gear Oil uses advanced extreme

pressure additives to deliver superior protection for high-

torque/high-horsepower marine engines. Its industry-first,

antimony-free formula provides an eco-friendly solution. It is

GL-5 performance-rated and exceeds the requirements of all

major engine OEMs. $18.73 (1 liter); belray.com

BEL-RAY

MARINE

SYNTHETIC

GEAR OIL

MILKY

If your gear lube is this

color, water has gotten into

your gear case. Head to

a dealer or mechanic.

OH BOY
Check the magnetic drain
screw for metal shavings and
always use new gaskets.

BOTTOMS UP

Filling from the drain may

seem counterintuitive, but

that is how it is done.