Drive Oil for Alpha One Gen II Sterndrive

[interceptor_2003]

Hey guys, fairly new to boating in terms of terminology, so my apologies if I use the wrong words or terms.. I have 1999 Sea Ray Bow Rider 180BR 18' Ski/Wakeboat with a Mercruiser 3.0L I4 and a Alpha One Gen II Sterdrive. In the engine compartment, there is a square reservoir that says "Drive Oil", I take it this means it's for the Outdrive/Sterndrive? What kind of oil should I look for this? The oil in it right now is below the Add line by a long shot, and is blue in color. Mercstuff.com recommended a 80w - 90w, but did not mention any brand or where to get this from. Autozone, O'reilly's were no help either.. any help is appreciated guys.

 

[Don S]

Re: Drive Oil for Alpha One Gen II Sterndrive

DO NOT mix oil types. Top it off with Mercruiser Hi Performance gear lube. You get it from your Mercury/Mercruiser dealer, not Autozone. It's a boat, not a car. And your drive costs almost as much as the engine, and it has to live in the water. Use the right stuff.

 

[180shabah]

Re: Drive Oil for Alpha One Gen II Sterndrive

Ditto with an emphasis on "HIGH PERFORMANCE" gear lube, for all Gen II drives.

 

[rodbolt]

Re: Drive Oil for Alpha One Gen II Sterndrive

if that resevoir is low you may have a leak. check the bottom of the resevoir for mud. if there is no mud then top it off and monitor it. if it goes low again you have a leak.if the drive is not getting water in it and its still leaking odds are the input yoke seal failed.

 

[Doug Durako]

Re: Drive Oil for Alpha One Gen II Sterndrive

You can get Hi Perf Merc Oil at Gander Mountain, Cabela,s Bass Pro, or other fine stores.

 

[Doug Durako]

Re: Drive Oil for Alpha One Gen II Sterndrive

Rodbolt---where is the oil going if the input yoke seal fails? Just curious.

 

[Don S]

Re: Drive Oil for Alpha One Gen II Sterndrive

Into the bellows, where it washes the grease out of the gimbal bearing, then leaks gear lube into the bilge area through the gimbal bearing.<br />Then you end up looking for a leak inside the boat. It's caught several people by surprise.

 

[rodbolt]

Re: Drive Oil for Alpha One Gen II Sterndrive

but usually after it wipes out the upper unit. the genII system was designed to be used with a low drive oil audible. some lower end hull s dont have the 10 dollar horn. the engines had the wiring but its up to the hull manufacturer or installer to add the horn. it does come with the engine in the installation package.<br /> I do maybe 20 a year that the drive oil leaked ito the bellows due to a rusty yoke. most times the case gets trashed as well.