Recommended fluid confusion???

[RatFish]

I wanted to top off the fluids in my 2004 5.0L Mercruiser with Alpha 1 drive and confusion soon set in. <br /><br />First, I wanted to add a little power trim fluid so I went to my owners manual to determine what was recommended. The manual recommends "Power Trim And Steering Fluid" (Part #: 92-802880A1). The manual also states that a "Yellow Maintenance Point" means motor oil. The screw off cap on the power trim/tilt reservoir is yellow. Being confused, I asked the dealer. The usual parts guy I work with was not at the counter that day so I asked the guy that was there what fluid to use for the power trim. He responded, "What is the color of the cap". I said, "Yellow". He then handed me a quart of Mercruiser 25W40 motor oil. The actual fluid in the reservoir seems lighter in color than 25W40 motor oil, more like a light grade oil (power steering fluid?). What gives here? Does anybody know whether I should add motor oil or power trim and steering fluid? Can the motor oil and trim fluid be mixed with no adverse affects? Why the confusion?<br /><br />Second, To a lesser extent, the same confusion also exists with the power steering fluid. The manual states, "Power Trim and Steering Fluid or Dexron III ATF". The fluid on the fillcap/dipstick looks like ATF fluid. I guess I'll add Dexron III ATF? Can the Dexron III ATF and the Power Trim and Steering Fluid be mixed in the power steering system? Again, why the confusion?

 

[achris]

Re: Recommended fluid confusion???

Engines use engine oil, trim systems use trim oil, power steerings use ATF.<br /><br />The yellow screw cap on the trim pump is normal. The yellow service point refered to is the oil filler on the engine. If you have a red ATF in the power steering, then put ATF in it. The light colored oil in the trim pump is akin to a light machine oil, about 10 weight. Just make sure the leg is trimmed all the way down before adding fluid to the trim pump, or it'll overflow when you tilt the leg up.<br /><br />Chris...........

 

[RatFish]

Re: Recommended fluid confusion???

Thanks Chris. I'll follow your advice. <br /><br />Such a simple thing should not be so confusing. I was getting ambiguous information from the manual and dealer.

 

[Rhadley]

Re: Recommended fluid confusion???

Amen, Ratfish. I hate trying to figure out what lub or grease or perfect seal goes where. Those part numbers don't help, and then you're not supposed to mix different greases. How do you know what is already there so you know how to match it? <br /><br />On top of that, my manual tells how to re-attach the outdrive in 2 places. <br />1 place says to use special drive shaft spline lub and the other doesn't say.