Outboard Leg Oil

[Duncs]

I have a Mercury 2.5 HP two stroke outboard that I bought second hand earlier this year and for its winter service I want to change the oil in the leg, does anyone know the correct type and grade of oil required?

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[BarryH]

The merc 2.5 will use very little oil in the gearcase. It's probably best to go to a merc dealer or outboard service place and purchase a tube of the proper stuff. It will come in a tube akin to a large toothpaste tube. It will be easier to get the oil into the gearcase as the nozzle will be the right shape to fill from the bottom.
It won't cost an arm and a leg. Check the old oil for and water or metalic fragments when you drain the gearcase. If you find any then further investigation will be required.

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[Talbot]

agree with the previous post. One quick tip - the oil is very thick and trying to pour it in the top hole is a total waste of time, warm it up in hot water, then with both the drain and the filling hole open, and the outboard in a vertical position apply the tube to the lower hole (the drain) and squeeze the tube until it starts to come out the top hole, keep the tube firmly againstthe hole while you screw in the top bung which will reduce the flow rate out of the bottom when you remove the tube, then quickly replace the bottom bung. It is a wise check to just take out the top bung again to check that it is full, but this is by far the best way

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[VicS]

I'm 99% sure this will be EP90.

I agree with the points others have made about the convenience of the squeezable tube (expensive way to buy the oil tho') and the need to warm the oil. Also a good idea to warm the gearbox to aid draining.

Worth looking at Andy Clark's <A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.bosunsmate.co.uk>web site</A> That's he who writes the outboard maintenance articles in PBO.

Also there is a winter maintenance checklist on the Mercury <A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.mercurymarine.com/winterization>web site</A>

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[the_wanderer]

I have been using EP 90 in my Honda gearbox for years having researched the specifications and found them to be the same as "outboard gearbox oil". I feed it through a duck type lavatory cleaner bottle into the lower hole in the gearbox until it flows from the top.
I had the inspiration regarding the bottle a couple of years ago whilst contemplating in the bathroom!

Regards. Alan

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