I am thinking about dropping the gear lube in my VP SX drive. I bought the boat used this spring and for what it's worth, I would feel more comfortable knowing the drive oil is new and not 1 or 2 years old. It looks clean, but that doesn't always mean anything. I've already changed engine oil & filter, and repacked the wheel bearings for piece of mind. Drive only takes 2.1 litres so the cost of this change isn't an issue. Requires a 75W90 Syn GL5 oil. Should I just stick with the Volvo brand of gear lube or try the Motul Gear 300 75W90 100% Syn Ester that I already have in the garage? I have read that the VP marine brand has better protection against water should I ever have a leaky seal. Other than that, marine and auto gear lubes are basicly he same correct? Any suggestions?
replacing VP drive oil - your thoughts
- Thread starter shrek01GT
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The Volvo lube is an excellent synthetic. Marine gear lubes generally have a different additive package which protects better against corrosion and moisture.
If you want something a bit better, look at the AMSOIL Marine Gear Lube.
If you want something a bit better, look at the AMSOIL Marine Gear Lube.
pennz marine syn is PAO with some ester?
Always heard (take it FWIW) the lube should contain the water and get cloudy. When pulling the plug you don't want to see the water drain 1st then oil. This situation would have had part of a gear standing in water during storage.
All my boats sooner or later showed signs of water, so cheap oil changed often was the rule.
Always heard (take it FWIW) the lube should contain the water and get cloudy. When pulling the plug you don't want to see the water drain 1st then oil. This situation would have had part of a gear standing in water during storage.
All my boats sooner or later showed signs of water, so cheap oil changed often was the rule.
The basic oil rule of thumb is, when in doubt change it out.
I've always used Mercruiser outdrive fluid and have nothing but good luck with it. You can get the premium stuff pretty cheap, it's dino based. Depending on your HP rating. For the synthetic version that handles high HP, use the High Performance stuff, it's also green. On outdrives, pop the bottom drain screw off and see if any water comes out first. If not, then I'd say your fluid would be OK for this year and it would tell you that the drive is still solid with no leaks.
Yeah, I agree: change it. I have the same drive on my Four Winns. It's very easy to change it on this drive. Make sure you use a very large and wide screwdriver for the drain plug otherwise you'll strip the head. I use Amsoil in mine.
Change it. I would use a synthetic marine lube for sure.
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