Lower unit oil?

Deanrt · 07-08-2009, 10:39 PM

I am changing the lower unit oil in my '76 35 hp Evinrude. I stopped by my local Wal-Mart to pick some up and they didn't have any "Marine" oil. I got to thinking why not just use gear oil. Well I picked up some SAE 85w-140 and was thinking this should work. My question is whats the difference between the marine stuff and this?. Thanks for any input.

Smj · 07-09-2009, 05:28 AM

I would imagine the marine oil would have rust inhibitors in it. Also, as far as I know our outboards have always recomended 80-90 weight gear lube, they do run in water after all and are not as subject to higher temps like a tranny or rearend on a truck/tow vehicle. I would say that I wouldn't be as concerned about the oil so much if I were running it in my kicker that doesn't get near as much stress as the big motor. I just don't think it's worth saving a few $$$ on something I only purchase once a year, I'll stay with the recomended on the big motor....

Smj

fishkisser · 07-09-2009, 06:30 AM

The regular stuff will work ... But you have the propensity to blow the seals as
the anti foaming agents are not designed for lower temperatures ...
Also there are less corrosion inhibitors as stated above by Smj ...

bluehewes · 07-10-2009, 02:12 AM

I know there was a few years where E-rude had an electric shift? which required a special gear oil. My yami's require 90wt I just buy the Amzoil marine gear oil.

mkwerx · 07-12-2009, 06:35 PM

My evinrude is electric shift - it's a 1964 75hp, and the manual does state it uses a special gear oil. It only takes 2 tubes of the stuff to fill up - worth it to use the right stuff - lower units are expensive if you break one.

cubsfan · 07-15-2009, 10:04 PM

Invest in a small lower unit oil pump. It beats the heck out of using the tubes of penzoil. I hate trying to squeeze lower unit oil when I could just pump it in.

Deanrt · 07-17-2009, 01:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cubsfan

Invest in a small lower unit oil pump. It beats the heck out of using the tubes of penzoil. I hate trying to squeeze lower unit oil when I could just pump it in.

I ended up getting the Penzoil tubes. I know what you mean about trying to squeeze the thing to fill er up but for some reason this time it took all of 3 minutes. Kinda almost seemed like I knew what I was doing

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