Changing lower unit grease on 40hp Hondas

B

Big Mac

Member
Just curious how most of you change out the lower unit grease. Hot or cold? I have always had it done during service visits, but am going to do it myself this time. I changed out the impellors last year and checked the grease and saw no water so I left it alone. I am going to change the engine oil and filters before I drain the carbs so I could put the engines in gear while I warm them up, which should warm up the lower unit oil? Thanks in advance for any comments,Big Mac.
 
I've always done mine cold. Takes a little longer to drain but it will drain. Be sure to use NEW washers in the plugs, that's the source of a lot of water intrusion if you don't.

Unless you run it a long time, won't warm it up much in the water anyway Doesn't get very "hot" ever...

Charlie
 
It will certainly drain faster if it's warm, so why not warm it up a bit?

Could use a portable electric heater to blow some warmth on it if necessary.

Or just let it drain overnight, or all week, if it's that cold in Washington!

Or you could move down to SUNNY California and change it in the summertime, no additional heat required!* :lol:

* Just for Roger/Dreamer, and others, who left it all behind. :smiled


Joe. :teeth :thup
 
I have always changed mine at the same time save the 20 hour service. For me that means first of November in Massachusetts.

This is a silly detail to point out but it's actually 90w oil (not grease). I let mine run out for about 10 minutes. I make a point to have a clean oil pan so I can carefully inspect the oil for contaminants and water.
 
Just curious, but if oil molecules are larger than water molecules, and after you change the lower unit oil and no oil is leaking out through the vent or fill hole, how can water get in through those holes?
 
If there's a leak at a seal or a washer, oil can and will leak out. When that happens, there's a void and water can and will leak in... :crook

Charlie
 
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