Drive Fluid Compatibility

[Knot Waiting]

The brand of oil I have been running in by Alpha 1 is no longer available in my area so I was going to switch to Mercury High Performance sterndrive fluid. However, Mercury states on the bottle not to mix theirs with any other brand of fluid. My question is: The residual amount of fluid left in the gear housing after an impeller change is not significant enough to apply to this condition is it? Just wnated to error on the side of caution. Thanks

 

[Don S]

Re: Drive Fluid Compatibility

Drain the oil out, there is quite a bit of gear lube in the lower unit.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Drive Fluid Compatibility

However, Mercury states on the bottle not to mix theirs with any other brand of fluid.

Ayuh,... If you drain the Outdrive, then drop the lower to change the impeller...
The residual oil will be immeasurable, 'n inconsequential...

 

[90stingray]

Re: Drive Fluid Compatibility

The brand of oil I have been running in by Alpha 1 is no longer available in my area

Just curious.... What were you running before?

 

[joncrisler]

Re: Drive Fluid Compatibility

If you completely drain (via drain plug on bottom) the old drive oil, whatever is left would not cause any harm with the new oil. That said, I doubt there is any compatibility issue- its probably just the concern that the new oil would be deluted by the old oil.