Filling outboard gear case

[Upnorth]

Anybody got any ideas on filling the leg gear case on an outboard.

The manual says fill from the bottom. This results in some of the oil you have squirted in coming straight out again, before you have the chance to fit the drain plug. Filling from the top dosn't work because of the air lock. Seems to me that maybe some sort of pump screwed into the bottom drain hole would be the answer, but I don't know whether anyone makes such an item.

Any tips gratefully received.

 

[TrailerSailer]

Depending on the size of the gearbox you can use a pump, but for small engines the shape of the nozzle on the tube of oil works. Yes take out both plugs and fill from the botton by making a seal with the nozzle and squeeze the oil in. When it flows out the top hole screw in the plug and then you can safely remove the nozzle from the lower hole as the vaccum created stops the oil running out.

 

[KREW2]

Quicksilver have a gearbox oil in a large tube with a nozzle that fits in the bottom hole, just sqeeze it up and fill. Replace the top screw, lay down and then replace the bottom one.

 

[Sans Bateau]

If you use the Quicksilver type tube of oil, it fits quite well into the bottom hole (if you know what I mean ) Squeeze the tube, 'till oil comes out the top, then I always manage to get the screw back in the lower (thats better) hole before I lose any great amount of oil. I did once get the outboard ready to tilt on to its side but have never found this necessary. The amount that is lost is no more than a tea spoon full, and has never caused a problem

 

[reeac]

Definitely fill from the bottom because otherwise, as you say, you'll get an air lock. I've used a small oil can with a pump action and some masking tape around the nozzle to create a seal - works OK.

 

[rowanloh]

Honda do one here -
http://www.youngsboatyard.co.uk/product/315/1235/Honda-Gear-Case-Pump
works for my small Honda 2.3Hp.

 

[VicS]

Yep filling via the bottom hole is the way to do it.

You should be able to get the oil in a squeezy bottle with a nozzle that will fit the hole.

Fit the top plug before removing the bottle then remove the bottle and fit the lower one.

New seals on the plugs are generally recommended. It is said that leaking seals on the plugs are the biggest causes of water ingress (I'm still using the originals since 1985 )

Squeezy bottle that I refill , but I have tried a syringe via the top hole. Squeezy bottle the better way!

 

[davidbfox]

When it's full, stick your thumb over top hole which stops oil draining out of bottom hole.

 

[Lakesailor]

Vic. Do you move the bird-table to mow the grass or leave it as a natural feature?

 

[VicS]

Vic. Do you move the bird-table to mow the grass or leave it as a natural feature?

Move it from time to time, likewise the bird bath and the bird feeding station.

Only mow the grass from time to time anyway!