2003 Merc 115 - Winterizing lower unit?

[unclejoey]

I'm helping a friend to winterize his new 2003 Merc 115. The lower unit has three plugs in it - a bottom one for the drain, an upper one (fill?), and a really upper one for a vent. Can anyone educate me on the right procedure to drain and refill this lower unit to make sure I get it completely drained/filled?<br /><br />Thanks in advance for any help,<br />unclejoey<br />Shelton, CT

 

[mellowyellow]

Re: 2003 Merc 115 - Winterizing lower unit?

my 115 is a lot older, but proceedure should be<br />the same. remove upper plug, then remove lower <br />plug and drain. new oil is added from the bottom<br />plug. add until it comes out of top hole. install<br />top plug. always good idea to get new rubber seals<br />for the plugs.<br />maybe you could buy your friend a service manual<br />for x-mas that covers this and all the other<br />maint. of the motor.<br />good luck,<br />M.Y.

 

[radsrh]

Re: 2003 Merc 115 - Winterizing lower unit?

If you want to keep your hands alittle cleaner when you drain, remove the bottom plug first and then the upper plug. The vacuum from the top plug still in place will keep the lube from running out until your hands are out of the way.

 

[unclejoey]

Re: 2003 Merc 115 - Winterizing lower unit?

I've done regular 2-plug lower units before using the methods you both describe. I guess my real question centers around the fact that this lower unit has 3 plugs. A drain is located at the usual lower location. A vent is located about 14 inches higher. The third is only about 1/4" below the vent, and if my memory serves me it is labeled "Fill". Unfortunately, I can't do a visual check right now; the boat's about 20 minutes away. Anyway, it appears that it may be designed to be filled from the plug near the top rather than as traditionally done through the drain plug. Thanks for any info.<br /><br />UncleJoey,<br />Shelton,CT<br /><br />PS - Yes, I've advised my friend get the official service manual for future reference, but I'd love to get this done this weekend if possible.

 

[pmueller]

Re: 2003 Merc 115 - Winterizing lower unit?

unclejoey, I have a '02 Merc 90 hp, I don't have the manual with me, but you remove all three plugs...as was mentioned, remove the top two first, then the bottom. If I recall correctly, fill lube from the bottom, when you see lube at the top right plug, screw that in, then keep filling until it comes out of the top left, and then screw that in. Then replace bottom screw. I may have the right/left out of order, but shouldn't matter, just look for the first one to fill and put in the screw and go until the other fills. As some have mentioned, it's good to replace the screw washers, and use an anti-seize lubricant on the screws. Good luck.

 

[unclejoey]

Re: 2003 Merc 115 - Winterizing lower unit?

PJ, thanks for the tip. The weather was decent today, so I took some time off. I put a call in to the Merc Customer Service guys; they are a really good bunch, I have to say! They got me pointed down the right road, and the job went off without a hitch - other than discovering that the dealer put the wrong type lube in. They used the standard gear lube, and it apparently needs high performance (according to the factory). <br />Anyway, I appreciate the info.<br /><br />unclejoey,<br />Shelton,CT<br /><br />P.S. I like your signature slogan!