Newb question about stern drive drain plug

[ratedphil]

Merc 470 Alpha 1

Alright guys here it is. I had a guy drain and fill the sterndrive this past weekend. Yesterday when I took a look at the boat I noticed there was a small amount of stern drive fluid on the ground. The fill hole bolt was loose so I tightened it. I checked it today and there seems to be a little bit more fluid coming from the drain hole. I have 2 questions.

1. How do in check the fluid level, if needs more is it easy to fill?

2. Does the fill hole use a washer or gasket to prevent leaking?

 

[Rocky_Road]

Re: Newb question about stern drive drain plug

Merc 470 Alpha 1

Alright guys here it is. I had a guy drain and fill the sterndrive this past weekend. Yesterday when I took a look at the boat I noticed there was a small amount of stern drive fluid on the ground. The fill hole bolt was loose so I tightened it. I checked it today and there seems to be a little bit more fluid coming from the drain hole. I have 2 questions.

1. How do in check the fluid level, if needs more is it easy to fill?

2. Does the fill hole use a washer or gasket to prevent leaking?

The only way you check the level is to remove the top plug and see if you have a slight runoff. If you don't, then you have to pump some more in from the bottom (fill) plug until you get some to exit the top hole.

There is a blue (fiber) washer that belongs on both plugs...most of us replace them whenever we remove the plugs. They are sold in a package at any marine store, and there is enough to last you for several seasons. Sometimes the washer stays in the drive, and if you aren't careful you can 'double' up and cause a minor leak.

Happy boating!

 

[AZSenza]

Re: Newb question about stern drive drain plug

There are 2 plugs in the drive. One is on the bottom (and the filler port) the other is on top. They both have an "O" Ring to seal them. The top port is used to check the level, fluid should be at the bottom of the hole. The bottom is used to fill it with a pump available at marine stores. The pump attatches to the fluid container and you pump the fluid in till it reaches the top hole. Put the top plug in, this creates a vaccum to allow you to QUICKLY remove the filler and install the plug.
If your losing fluid, determine where its coming from. Could be a worn O Ring, a seal or through the prop shaft seal.

 

[Rocky_Road]

Re: Newb question about stern drive drain plug

There are 2 plugs in the drive. One is on the bottom (and the filler port) the other is on top. They both have an "O" Ring to seal them. The top port is used to check the level, fluid should be at the bottom of the hole. The bottom is used to fill it with a pump available at marine stores. The pump attatches to the fluid container and you pump the fluid in till it reaches the top hole. Put the top plug in, this creates a vaccum to allow you to QUICKLY remove the filler and install the plug.
If your losing fluid, determine where its coming from. Could be a worn O Ring, a seal or through the prop shaft seal.

He has the older Alpha I...the drive is not designed to use the newer o-rings, although some do this. The correct seal will be the blue colored fiber washers...which do the job just fine, and are cheap to replace on a regular basis.

Happy boating!

 

[Don S]

Re: Newb question about stern drive drain plug

The drain plugs that use orings have a groove on the outside of the plug to prevent the oring from squeezing out. The ones for the gasket has a flat gasket surface.

 

[ratedphil]

Re: Newb question about stern drive drain plug

First off thank you guys for the quick replies.

Ok, so if I go buynthe blue washer to place on the bottom bolt, when I screw the filler bolt, is liquid going to come pouring out? And I'm guessing since I need go buy the washer, should I buy some more fluid and a pump to add some?

It looks like every time i think I'm about to take the boat out for the first time, something else happens! Haha

 

[Rocky_Road]

Re: Newb question about stern drive drain plug

First off thank you guys for the quick replies.

Ok, so if I go buynthe blue washer to place on the bottom bolt, when I screw the filler bolt, is liquid going to come pouring out? And I'm guessing since I need go buy the washer, should I buy some more fluid and a pump to add some?

It looks like every time i think I'm about to take the boat out for the first time, something else happens! Haha

The drive lube will exit the bottom as soon as you remove the plug. You can leave the top one tight, and the vaccum will slow the flow some. You will need gear lube and the pump for the rest of your boating life, so that is a 'no-brainer'.

Have someone help you, and they can hold their finger over the hole while you examine the plug for the old washer and install the new one. If you don't find the old washer on the plug, then you will probably find it still in the drive. Use a pick to make sure that the drive doesn't have a washer, since you may have had two by accident. When your plug has a new washer then remove the vent (upper) plug and slowly pump new lube in from the bottom until it starts to run out the top. Replace the vent plug, and then quickly replace the bottom plug. You will always lose some lube doing this, but not enough to make any difference.

P.S. I have a plain old cork that fits the bottom hole...that frees up the bride to do something more important, as keeping the beer full in the frig.

 

[moetr]

Re: Newb question about stern drive drain plug

If you are by yourself clean the bottom of the drive thoroughly and drain the oil in a clean container so you can re-use it. Take your time now looking for the gaskets or orings. Get a funnel and fill an old lube container or oil bottle and use your new pump and go boating, hopefully. Don't forget to put the drain plug in the boat and turn on your blower prior to starting the engine and leave it on. Just the simple stupid stuff I have forgotten to do. Almost sunk the boat but it was still on the trailer luckily.

On the pump I like the metal fitting on the end with an o-ring vs the plastic one which seems kind of cheezy but will work. I just don't think it will last as long. You may not find the metal one however.

 

[paultjohnson]

Re: Newb question about stern drive drain plug

Ummmm ........... Who was the guy that changed your fluid ? I would be really scared to have him touch my boat. A few days later the bottom fill plug is loose ? WTH ? Ur dang lucky u caught that. You were one step away from needing a new outdrive. [ If ya lost lube and/or ran it withot lube, or really low] I would be really curious about your lube level in the drive. Have you run the boat since the fluid change ? I would take the top vent screw out, and see if fluid runs out . That would tell me its full. Hopefully just with gear oil and not water/ oil mixed. If no oil runs out of the vent [top] hole, Use a piece of wire or something as a dipstick, stick it in the top hole and see what the level is . DONT DROP IT IN. Hopefully its right at the bottom of the top hole.
I use a clear plastic 12 qt rectangular storage container that I bought at Wally World for 3 bucks as a outdrive drain pan. It makes it easy to drain, it catches the stuff that runs down the skeg, and its easy to examine the gear oil. I would be suspicious and wanna redo the lube fill. But that's just my nature. Check level, drain it into a container , clean the drain plug threads, and the area where it seats up really nice, inspect fluid. If everything checks out, use your new $8 pump and pump the gear oil back in. New little washers on both plugs. After thought... Pressure check of drive..... next post maybe....

 

[ratedphil]

Re: Newb question about stern drive drain plug

Thank you guys. This is the best site/forum on the web! I would be totally lost with your replies.

I haven't run the boat since the oil change, but I am going to check the level and go buy the pump today. Hopefully this Saturday I will be running the boat on the lake for the first time ever.