Winterizing-Do you Remove the Lower Unit?

[enginesilo]

I was wondering if most of you leave your lower unit on your I/O for the winter, or do you remove it?

I was told by a local mechanic that leaving it on is fine, and that I could change out my lower unit oils and greasings in the fall, since the boat only has about 25+/- hours.

Should I go ahead and remove the lower unit and keep it in my basement or somewhere where it doesn't freeze?

 

[JustJason]

Re: Winterizing-Do you Remove the Lower Unit?

if you put 100+ hours on your boat a year i'd say yes pull it just to check the gimbal bearing... the ujoints.... the bellows..... and alignment.
But at 25 hours.... realistically.... i wouldn't pull it for 25 hours. I still would however change out the drive oil and pull the prop. I'd also inspect the bellows the best i possibly could from the outside.

 

[enginesilo]

Re: Winterizing-Do you Remove the Lower Unit?

Thanks for the info so far.

What is the benefit of removing the prop?

So to change the drive oil, I would be removing the bottom and top screw to let the oil pour out. I then would buy an oil jug with the pump on it and fill from the bottom plug, right?

 

[Haut Medoc]

Re: Winterizing-Do you Remove the Lower Unit?

Thanks for the info so far.

What is the benefit of removing the prop?

So to change the drive oil, I would be removing the bottom and top screw to let the oil pour out. I then would buy an oil jug with the pump on it and fill from the bottom plug, right?

The benefit of removing the prop once a year to grease the splines is to prevent it from becoming stuck from corrosion, esp in saltwater......

Correct, & be sure to use new gasket washers.....
The drive should be pulled at least once a year at layup to inspect & lube the ujoints & make sure no water intrusion has occurred in the u joint bellows....
Doing this as well as changing the gear lube at the end of the season potentially allows you to avoid costly repairs from sitting all winter with water intrusion & an unplesant springtime surprise when you should be boating......

 

[chiefalen]

Re: Winterizing-Do you Remove the Lower Unit?

You didn't post what year,make,model of out drive.

Year is important, is it brand new?

Make, how we going to tell you what screws to take out?

Model, same thing, how we going to tell you what screws to remove.

There is another reason to remove the prop, maybe fishing line got wrapped around the shaft, is about to take out your shaft seals, behind the prop, than you should grease the splines,before re-installing the prop.

You should change out the out drive oil before you put it away for the winter, to see if the oil is milky,than you have a water intrusion problem.

If you do not remove the drive leave it in the down position fully,so water cant pool in your water pump.

And the bow up as far as you can get it with the transom plug left out.

Engine oil changed also, new filter, and drain the manifold and block leave plugs out.

Can't go any further cause i don't know what sorta package you have.

 

[JustJason]

Re: Winterizing-Do you Remove the Lower Unit?

you also want to pull the prop to check for fishing line around the propshaft. every boat I do it's a 50/50 shot that there is fishing line on the propshaft. And it can damage the lower seals if you leave it on there.

 

[enginesilo]

Re: Winterizing-Do you Remove the Lower Unit?

Great responses!

I have a 2005 Searay with the 3.0L Mercruiser, with the Alpha One Drive. As listed on the site: 3.0L Alpha I MCM Stern Drive
More specs here: http://tinyurl.com/6c63oq


Also, do I need to get an Alignment tool for when I re install the drive?

 

[chiefalen]

Re: Winterizing-Do you Remove the Lower Unit?

Yes if you pull the drive you do.

3 year old boat i don't think you will have to.

If you leave the boat where there is a high theft problem, than i would pull it.

Grease the gimbal at the inside zerk you would be fine not pulling it.

You bought it new?

Only 25 on it brand new not even broke in yet.

 

[enginesilo]

Re: Winterizing-Do you Remove the Lower Unit?

I bought the boat this year from a guy who bought it as a left over in 2006. The last owner did about 20 hours in 2 seasons and it was garage kept. I can easily say that it was brand new when I got it, the guy took such care of it and stored it indoors its entire life. I may have about 30 hours on it now that I think of it since I've used it this past season.

It was winterized professionally the past 2 years, and I am attempting it this year. I have a mechanic friend who may do the draining and anti-freeze part. I will then be left to change the oils, and deal with the drive. He recommended I leave the drive as is till next year, and then change it all out due to having such low hours.

So should I buy an alignment tool to have on hand from now on?

Is the inside zerk on the left or right hand side if I am looking from the back? How many pumps does it take, or should I just go till I feel resistance?
Guess i'll have to decide what to do next, and finish it up.

 

[180shabah]

Re: Winterizing-Do you Remove the Lower Unit?

Is the inside zerk on the left or right hand side if I am looking from the back? How many pumps does it take, or should I just go till I feel resistance?
Guess i'll have to decide what to do next, and finish it up.

Are you talking about the one for the gimble bearing??? It is RH as viewed from the rear. If you go till you feel resistance, you will need at least three tubes of grease. A dozen pumps or so should be fine.

Change your gear oil now. Hours is not the issue, water contamination is. Better to find out now, thanin the spring after it has sat for months.

Go ahead and get the alignment tool, you will be using it every year.