Lower Unit Oil Opinion Wanted?

I was changing my lower unit oil today. I have never used synthetic before and not sure what it is supposed to look like after a year of use. Does this look OK? the red and yellow are some sort of reflection. There are no visible leaks on the unit.
Any help appreciated.

Thanks

[QUOTE=peter;508283]I was changing my lower unit oil today. I have never used synthetic before and not sure what it is supposed to look like after a year of use. Does this look OK? the red and yellow are some sort of reflection. There are no visible leaks on the unit.
Any help appreciated.

Thanks[/QUOTE]

That looks milky............meaning maybe some water in it........

Maybe not, but that is what it looks liike to me.

Later,

Geo

that has some water in it

[QUOTE="onemorecast56;508310"]that has some water in it[/QUOTE]

You think its a problem?

Does water usually get in through the lower unit casing or from an internal source from the cooling system?

Guess I'll check it again after ten or so uses.

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Peter I have been using ST Matthews Marine the last couple of years. They are a spinoff of St Matthews Imports and are located off Westport Road right next to Ken Towery's near the Ford Plant. If you are having issues call and talk to Tim he will help you out. Did you save that lower unit oil?

[QUOTE="RIBLUEFISH;508360"]Peter I have been using ST Matthews Marine the last couple of years. They are a spinoff of St Matthews Imports and are located off Westport Road right next to Ken Towery's near the Ford Plant. If you are having issues call and talk to Tim he will help you out. Did you save that lower unit oil?[/QUOTE]

Thanks. I tossed the old oil. I'll keep St. Mathews in mind if i need to take it somewhere.

Thanks again.

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I would do a pressure test on the lower unit to verify there is no leaks. You will have to drain the lower unit. A pressure test pump has a fitting that will screw into the lower unit drain hole. Then you will pump air pressure into the lower unit ( I think 90PSI ) If you have a leaking seal you will loose pressure. If you can matain air pressure for a couple of minutes then your seals are good.


If you do not have access to a pressure test pump you may be able to determine if you have a leak without a pressure test. The most common reason a lower unit absorbs water is from fishing line getting caught in the prop. The line will wad up behind the prop shaft and get caught behind the seals and that is where the water will come in. I would pull the prop and prop nut and look for fishing line. If you find fishing line then you will need seals.

Forgot to add...make sure you install new O rings in the upper and lower drain plug. You can get a dozen O rings a an auto supply store for a couple of bucks. The O ring when compressed tight will allow the screw to form a leak proof seal when the screw is tight. If you continuously using the same O ring the water tight connection/seal can become weak.

Thanks R19. I'll pull the prop and take a look. Then try to find some body that can do a pressure test.

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next time you drain lower unit ,drain it in a clear container let it set for few minutes , water and oil will separate then you will know

[QUOTE=bassinking;508913]next time you drain lower unit ,drain it in a clear container let it set for few minutes , water and oil will separate then you will know[/QUOTE]


Ahh...there is the easy way to find out.
Thanks very much.

Peter

Wishful thinking or answer---




Thinking maybe the different colored used oil was the remnants of the oil based lower unit oil mixed with the synthetic oil I added last year.


Gonna filler up and "floor it" and re-check in June. They advertise this stuff an working well even with some water. Tighten the prop another notch after checking the shaft seal for fishing line, while keeping fingers crossed.