Will 80W90 gear grease work?

striperday

Cadet
Joined
Jun 2, 2011
Messages
23
Guys I have a 2003 115 Evenrude. Will the typical 80W90 Gear Grease that you buy at the local WalMart work in my Lower Unit even if it does not indicating "For Marine use" ?
 

oldcatamount

Lieutenant Commander
Joined
Apr 4, 2010
Messages
1,740
Re: Will 80W90 gear grease work?

That's a very expensive lower unit you got there, so, I wouldn't use anything not recommended for marine use. If you are using it for a one day fishing trip or something like that, it'll probably not hurt anything but I'd suggest draining it out and using OEM products as soon as possible.
 

striperday

Cadet
Joined
Jun 2, 2011
Messages
23
Re: Will 80W90 gear grease work?

OK. If its rated for Marine use would it be ok you think even if its not OMC such as the tubes that WalMart has? By the way do you have any idea how much grease my unite holds?
 

cdn-pk

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
May 20, 2009
Messages
162
Re: Will 80W90 gear grease work?

i would not use it even for an hour. that gear grease is not meant for clutch dog movement (shifting in lower units). for example in a locking /limited slip truck differential 80w90 gear oil is the lubricant to use WITH a FRICTION modifier. the friction modifier allows better movement the the slip gears. Without it you WILL ruin the gears.

the OMC lubricant (90W with hi vis) has this already. if you were to compare the two oils side by side the 80w90 will be heavier, slightly thicker but way more sticky! (ever heard any old military stories of sticky bombs)

anyway just my 2 cents.
 

levi_tsk

Ensign
Joined
Dec 26, 2010
Messages
907
Re: Will 80W90 gear grease work?

youll need a little less than a quart ... advance auto parts carries penzoil lower unit oil its 10 bux a quart ...
 

ezmobee

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Mar 26, 2007
Messages
23,767
Re: Will 80W90 gear grease work?

Wal-Mart should have the right stuff right next to your wrong stuff......
 
D

DJ

Guest
Re: Will 80W90 gear grease work?

Use OMC/BRP "Hi Vis". About a quart. The pump set ups that the dealers sell are quite handy. THey just attach to a quart bottle.

Don't forget to change the fill/drain plug seals!
 

emoney

Commander
Joined
Jul 19, 2010
Messages
2,551
Re: Will 80W90 gear grease work?

DJ's got a great point. You need new plug seals that you can pick up at any marine svc center for pennies, so you could pickup the right lower unit oil while you're there. The viscosity is key.
 

yoster

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
Aug 19, 2010
Messages
117
Re: Will 80W90 gear grease work?

Good point just made below me lol - deleting

To summarize what I previously wrote - 6 paragraphs into 7 words - "I prefer any GL-5 rated gear oil."
 

Monte1961

Lieutenant Junior Grade
Joined
May 8, 2011
Messages
1,180
Re: Will 80W90 gear grease work?

Sorry fellow boaters, but I have to agree with the Yoster. Think of it like the fuel prices that we all have to share. Oil Tycoons don't care what the price is these days. Standard oil, Union 76, Exxon Mobil, and various other ones will tell you that it's better than the next. Most people will believe this crap.They are like sheep and will follow you right off the cliff! Manufactures that makes any engines will state, any other product used will/or could void warranty. So to some this up, go and buy a quart of dextron/mercon 2 transmission fluid, or type F if you own an older Ford, from like Shell or standard oil or any other named brand, and the go buy the cheapest quart somewheres else, now compare the products, and you will find there's not really enough difference, or any for that matter, to warrant spending twice the amount of $$$ for such little difference. The proof is in the pudding. So if you want to believe the horse poop that is being sold that's your business, but if the $$ you earn is not that valuable to you, then disregard this post, otherwise you might want to do your homework and save yourself a lot of time and $$$$$$$ Besides, if you happen to need that super high expensive lubricant/s from your local marine dealer on Sunday or even Monday, and they happen to be closed, So now yer pissed cause you can't get out on the water because you need $10.00 quart of lower unit oil, I'll be at WallyWorld or local parts house getting what I need while saving $ and time. Hope to see you on the lake.!
 

Jim311

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
May 31, 2011
Messages
169
Re: Will 80W90 gear grease work?

I agree, as long as it meets applicable standards who cares, I've got better stuff to do during normal business hours (like work) than to go to the dealership for fluids.
 
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