gear Oil

pcator · Posted: Tue Nov 03, 2009 5:13 pm Post subject: gear Oil

As the sum total of gear oil changing in my manual for the Honda bf150 is "change gear oil". I have to ask this question. Do you use the standard 90 w gear oil or is there something else I should use?

TIA

Patrick

matt_unique · Posted: Tue Nov 03, 2009 8:24 pm Post subject: Re: gear Oil

Socrateur · Posted: Tue Nov 03, 2009 9:07 pm Post subject:

Hondas call for Hypoid 90 as well. Hypoid oils have special anti-wear additives due to the spiral design and sliding action of the gears.

JamesTXSD · Posted: Tue Nov 03, 2009 9:28 pm Post subject:

Just changed the lower unit lube today on our Honda... 90 SAE Hypoid.

pcator · Posted: Wed Nov 04, 2009 8:35 am Post subject:

Thanks again, guys

Almas Only · Posted: Wed Nov 04, 2009 10:21 am Post subject:

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I'm unaware of any Honda spec for "Hypoid" gear oil. I don't have access to a 150 manual, but have checked those for the 90 and 115.

I see calls for "API GL 4/5", both of which are ratings that include hypoid type gears. However, it looks to me that any marine gear oil with an API GL 5 rating meets or exceeds the specs, whether or not the manufacturer calls it "hypoid".

Wayne McCown · Posted: Wed Nov 04, 2009 10:29 am Post subject:

I changed out my gear oil yesterday. For the first time, I used a "pump" (which I just purchased) instead of the squeeze bottle> What a difference: well worth $14!

Socrateur · Posted: Wed Nov 04, 2009 10:55 am Post subject: Details

My Honda 150 owner's manual does not mention the word Hypoid whereas the shop manual says "Marine SAE 90 Hypoid gear oil API Service classification (GL-4)". I agree that the word Hypoid is not necessary on the bottle, but it helps people to identify the correct oil without having to read the fine print on the container which, as in the case of the West Marine brand of oil, might not list the API spec.

Almas Only · Posted: Thu Nov 05, 2009 6:45 am Post subject:

I'll check my shop manual on the 90 and see if it mentions "hypoid" also. Interesting that the owner's manuals don't.

For whatever it's worth, both of West Marine's branded lower unit lubes are rated as meeting or exceeding GL5. I'm not pushing their products, but in this instance, do highly recommend both, in preference to other brands. I particularly like the synthetic, and have had excellent results - virtually no metal loss from the gears (consisting only of a very fine powder residue on the drain plug), and no bearing failure or visible wear.

What I really like is that it stays amber, rather than turning black and stinking of sulpher - yuck. Staying amber means that it's easier to detect any water intrusion and solids when you change fluid. Just collect it in a clear glass bowl, and hold it up to the light.