Best lower unit oil for mercury outboard

Changing Oil for Your Lower Unit in a Mercury Outboard

Table of Contents Show

How often should you change lower unit oil in Mercury outboard?
Can I use regular gear oil in my lower unit?
How much oil does a Mercury lower unit take?
What's the difference between 10W

Maintaining your Mercury outboard lower unit provides a peace of mind knowing that your boat’s motor will function efficiently when out for a day on the water. Mercury lower unit oil changes are an important part of maintaining an outboard motor. Changing the lower unit oil of a Mercury outboard provides the proper lubrication for the internal components of the motor, while removing normal shavings from the oil. Also having a look at the oil during a Mercury outboard lower unit oil change will give you details on the state of the motor’s internal components.

1. Prepare to Drain: First, you need to ensure that your outboard is in a vertical and upright position. Thereafter you will need to locate and identify both the upper and lower Fill and Drain Plugs. Place an oil drainage pan beneath the outboard where you will remove the bottom drain plug. Some oil will begin to trickle out so you need to make sure that the oil drain pan is positioned correctly to catch the draining oil.

2. Drain the Oil: Now remove the top drain plug; this will release the vacuum that exists and allow the oil to drain freely from the Mercury lower unit. Allow all of the oil to drain completely from the lower unit. This process can easily take between 5-10 minutes.

Once all the oil has been completely drained, the lower unit will have to be re-filled. There are various tools available in order to re-fill the oil, such as squeeze bottles and tubes. It seems that the easiest way for most people is to use a squeeze bottle.

3. Add Oil: To refill the lower unit, insert the bottle or tube into the bottom drain hole and slowly squeeze the bottle to force the oil into the lower unit. We recommend original manufacturer marine oil for best performance and longivity. Read more about brand name vs generic oils here.

Continue to add oil until the lubricant is flowing freely from the top hole and is free from any air bubbles. Keep the bottle or tube in the bottom pug and reinstall the top plug. Quickly remove the bottle from the bottom hole and install the drain plug. It is important to do this as quickly as you can to minimize the total amount of oil loss. Even though there is a slight vacuum there will be some loss of oil.

Tighten both the lower and upper drain plugs and wipe off any oil that may have fallen on to your lower unit.

A marine specific lower unit gear lubricant should only be utilized in a Mercury outboard. The additive in such oil is normally of a higher water demulsability and has corrosion protection.

Always ensure your oil has the following properties in order to function correctly:

Excellent seal compatibility
Excellent resistance to water and moisture
Great protection of components from rust and corrosion in dry conditions and in moist conditions
Enhanced gear, bearing and seal cleanliness

Also, be sure to consult your outboard motor’s owner manual to verify the steps above are in agreement with the manufacturer’s recommendation for changing lower unit oil.

Happy Boating!!!

How often should you change lower unit oil in Mercury outboard?

Much like how cars should receive an oil change every thirty-thousand miles, your outboard lower unit oil requires changing every one-hundred hours the boat is in operating.

Can I use regular gear oil in my lower unit?

So, can you use any old gear lube in your marine lower unit? If you want the best protection possible, and want your lower unit to last as long as your boat, then the answer is no. Consult your engine's manual and look for the proper marine gear lube for your application.

How much oil does a Mercury lower unit take?

My dealer says that the 14.9 oz capacity is correct.

What's the difference between 10W

10W-30, 25W-40, 5W-30, 30W, 40W, etc. - These numbers are the viscosity rating of an oil, determining how it flows in hot and cold temperatures. The higher the number, the “thicker” the formulation; the lower the number, the “thinner” the oil, which promotes smooth flow in colder ambient temperatures.