Changing outboard gear case oil - dumb question?

Deefor

Well-Known Member
Joined
16 Aug 2011
Messages
422
Location
Marlow
Visit site
On my Honda BF20, I've always changed the lower leg gear case oil with the boat/engine out of water. Therefore the engine is always vertical and the fill level is always in the horizontal plane.

However, if I intend to do the gear oil change with the engine in the water, I'll have to tilt the engine out of the water to around 45 degrees to get to the drain/fill plug. In this orientation, how would I get an accurate level reading when I refill from the bottom hole? :confused:
 
As long as you can drain from the tilted position and you know the capacity of the gearbox there is not a problem except that you need to be able to put in the right volume without losing any! I have done this a few times and also even replaced an impeller standing in a tender.
 
As long as you can drain from the tilted position and you know the capacity of the gearbox there is not a problem except that you need to be able to put in the right volume without losing any! I have done this a few times and also even replaced an impeller standing in a tender.
To get oil into the Honda gearbox you have to remove the top screw (to let the air out) whilst filling from the bottom, so how are you going to get the right amount in? It would be like trying to push melted butter up a Porcupines arse with a hot knife.
 
Top