Mercury Gear Lube Thickness

[Fishop]

Just checked my gear lube and its black as night and quite thick.  Is this normal or should it have a viscosity more like engine oil?

I don't know the full history of the engine but its 10 years old and only done 250 hours so I am guessing it probably hasn't been changed.

Also just wondering if I should give it a flush of sorts or if just changing it once will suffice.

 

Thanks!!

 

[rickmarlin62]

drain it overnight  then fill next day..shouldn't need flush..run it a few times then change again...best way  you don't want to flush with cleaning agent as if it retains any it will ruin new oil..rick

[Fishop]

35 minutes ago, rickmarlin62 said:

drain it overnight  then fill next day..shouldn't need flush..run it a few times then change again...best way  you don't want to flush with cleaning agent as if it retains any it will ruin new oil..rick

Sorry yeah thats what I meant about "a flush of sorts".  Ill drain/refill.  Then take it out for a spin, bring it back and drain/refill again for the sake of an extra 20 bucks.

[Fishop]

You were right I left it drain for a cpl hours. Was still coming out ever so slightly.  

Barely any shavings in their however I only got about 500mls out. Says it should hold 710mls. Put back in close to 700. 

[cfish]

Gear oil is twice as thick as engine, as long as it's not cream coloured which indicates water I wouldn't waste time or money flushing, go fishing instead.  

[Fishop]

17 hours ago, cfish said:

Gear oil is twice as thick as engine, as long as it's not cream coloured which indicates water I wouldn't waste time or money flushing, go fishing instead.  

The stuff coming out was 10 times thicker than the stuff going back in.  Easy job, took 5 mins and 20 bucks hardly breaks the bank.  Fishing in 20 knot winds sucks up here so may as well do some maintenance.

[rickmarlin62]

im comin up there we have thirty knots...rick