Put wrong gear lube in, now what?

[dellsboater]

Changed my gear lube but noticed the new stuff was not green, checked the bottle and saw it was not synthetic like what I had in it before, and only rated for 75 Hp! Stupid me grabed the wrong stuff!
So questions:
Is it ok to leave in for the winter?
Will I have a problem in the spring if I change it back or do I need to flush it first?

I Have an 88 OMC Cobra
The Lube is a Merc product right weight but blueish in color not green.
Thanks

 

[HT32BSX115]

Re: Put wrong gear lube in, now what?

Changed my gear lube but noticed the new stuff was not green, checked the bottle and saw it was not synthetic like what I had in it before, and only rated for 75 Hp! Stupid me grabed the wrong stuff!
So questions:
Is it ok to leave in for the winter?
Will I have a problem in the spring if I change it back or do I need to flush it first?

I Have an 88 OMC Cobra
The Lube is a Merc product right weight but blueish in color not green.
Thanks

Howdy,

Nothing like a Lib! (Liberator!! not the other kind!!)

If you used GL-5 gear lubricant, just run it. Change it next summer. It won't hurt a thing. My previous drive (1987 King Cobra) went for almost 20 years running reg'lar old 80W90 GL-5.

I have not looked closely at a container of Mercury Premium. If it's NOT rated GL-5, then change it next Spring/Summer to a GL-5 (non lim-slip) synthetic of your choice like Mobil 1, Mercury HP, Volvo syn, Amsoil marine, etc...... I wouldn't flush it.


ENSURE that you changed it using the OMC service manual procedure.


Cheers,


Rick

 

[dellsboater]

Re: Put wrong gear lube in, now what?

Thanks for the info, this is what I put in
The last line is what bothered me, and also that it says 75 hp and below. It is not the high preformance lube. This is from their website...still think I will be ok?

Engineered specifically for use in all outboard lower units and jet pumps below 75hp.


•Exclusive formulas provide extended gear life in extreme conditions, including high-speed and high horsepower applications.

•Extensively tested to provide excellent protection against corrosion and excessive wear.
•Specifically formulated to help prevent failures due to water entering the gear housing.
•Extreme-pressure synthetic additives protect gears from metal-to-metal contact.
•Tackifiers to improve the oil film adhesion to gears and internal components.

•Do not mix different gear lubes.

 

[MRS]

Re: Put wrong gear lube in, now what?

You will be fine just change with the right oil before you run the boat again. No need to flush if you drain and replace, you need the yellow labled bottle.

 

[sam60]

Re: Put wrong gear lube in, now what?

Nothing like a Lib! (Liberator!! not the other kind!!)

...

 

[chconger]

Re: Put wrong gear lube in, now what?

...

libertarian?