Lubricating my Mercruiser sterndrive

lovezoo

lovezoo

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Just wondered if anyone had any idea where to buy Quicksilver "U-Joint & Gimbal Bearing Lubricant" and "Engine Coupler Spline Grease" as specified by Mercruiser for my Alpha 1 Gen2 sterndrive? Problem is that locally the chandelrys don't have them and suggested I use 2-4-C instead, which I know is the wrong type of grease. Can't find anyone in the UK online who sell both greases - why is this such a rare commodity?

Makes me wonder what they would use in the local repair shop, given that they don't sell the right grease...
 
When I had a Gen II I always managed to get it fro CC marine in Beccles, not sure if they do mail order. I would have thought any Mercruiser dealer could order you some in though.
 
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probably 2-4-C.... /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

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I am sure that is what they use, given that they offered me two tubes of 2-4-C and said it was "similar" to the stuff I wanted. Given that no one seems to stock the correct grease, I just wonder if anyone does use them? No point in paying someone to screw my engine up - I can do that myself for free /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
 
FWIW I've always used white marine grease* on the UJs, gimbal bearing and swivels on my Alpha 1, and 2-4-C on all drive shaft splines, including the prop. Never had a problem over 9 years to date, and the splines are always easy to separate (and still coated with grease) at each strip down.

* Used to use Duckhams Keenol, but when they stopped making it couldn't find an equivalent. In the end I bought a crate of Ramonol White Grease direct from the manufacturers, and I've got enough now to last me at least a couple of lifetimes /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
 
And getting the right grease isn't the only challenge - I still haven't quite solved the problem of buying a grease gun to go with it. The only one I have found so far looked like it was designed for use on a steam engine. Without a shadow of a doubt, doing the actual work on the boat is nothing compared to getting all the rights bit in the first place.
 
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I still haven't quite solved the problem of buying a grease gun to go with it.

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I ened up buying some 'Laser' mini grease guns, worst tool I have ever bought, filled 3 of them with different greses (that in itself was a hugly messy and wasteful job), and all of them have leaked grease ever since, some when stored, loads when used.

I will be getting some mercruiser grease guns next time, I believe they take the actual grease cartridges direct into them so no messy loading.

I got the gimbal grease from the US along with 24c and spline greae I think, seems alot more common over there and postage is not much, wish I had got the grease guns then...

Ants
 
Re: Grease Guns

Any good motor factors will be able to sell you a decent grease gun. The lever type are the best - I would not waste your time on the small "plunge" type as they can't generate anything like the pressure of the lever ones and they are not easy to use without getting in a mess IMHO.

I've got an old Wanner lever type gun which I inherited from my father. It must be at least 50 years old and is still giving good service. I bought a cheapo lever one about 10 yrs ago to use with the marine grease and, although it is not as good as the Wanner and weeps slightly, it's a bit smaller so lives easily in the box with the spare trailer wheelbearings and comes with us when we go boating. I initially bought a small plunger one for this purpose but it was a PITA, hence my comments above.

The lever type are not difficult to load cleanly from a grease tub with a dispensing plunger as long as you remember to pull back the feed spring and lock it before you dismantle the gun (you will only ever forget the once /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif)

As you say, once you have accumulated the right tools and equipment, actually doing the work is easy. Most of the time anyway.
 
Re: Grease Guns

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(you will only ever forget the once /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif)

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In actual fact, no:
- Each year my the outdrive helmet bearing needs greasing.
- Each year, I get the grease gun and unscrew the cylinder to refill.
- Each year, I watch as the grease is rapidly ejected under spring pressure and covers hands / shoes / garage floor.
- Each year, I say something along the lines of "bother", and resolve not to do that next time.

dv.
 
Re: Grease Guns

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- Each year, I watch as the grease is rapidly ejected under spring pressure and covers hands / shoes / garage floor.



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There's no answer to that, all is definitely lost. At least you must have very shiny shoes, and lovely soft hands.
/forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif
 
Thanks for all the replies to this. The virtual beers must go to Splosh as these guys http://www.pro-rigmarine.co.uk/ have both the gimbal bearing and the spline grease in stock (under £20 for both). I think I may as well buy the grease specified by Mercruiser as the only other grease I have is for trailer wheels and it says Fuchs on it and I don't want to fuch up my outdrive /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif

All I need now is some decent boating weather - where can I get that from online?

p.s. and on the subject of grease guns, I am just going to have to bite the bullet and trawl around until I find a shop living in approximately the late 20th century who have such a thing.
 
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