Lower unit drain down! Did you win or lose?

[leech~~]

Just got the boat all wrapped up. Anyone else dread taking the plug out of the lower unit each fall waiting for the milk to run out?

I "won" nice and clean! How did you fair?

[fishingstar]

not so good I have a bad seal very milky. The drain and vent screws seals look good. anybody know how big of a job it is to replace it?

96 75hp mercury.

Dan

[20lbSloughShark]

duh, winning!!!

[MNice]

won, I never worry too much, its an easy fix.

[TruthWalleyes]

oops. Put the boat away yesterday and never looked...had the lower unit repaired and leak tested early September so I'm not too worried.

[leech~~]

won, I never worry too much, its an easy fix.

Well only if people remember to drain them in the fall and the housing doesn't crack!

I have a buddy who leaves 2 boats and a pontoon in the water all year at the dock and just pulles them out and leaves them sit. They are all older motors and I think some day he will pay for not checking it!

[harvey lee]

Mine was clean but I had a new lower unit put in about July and only had it out 5-6 times after that.

[Ryan_V]

mine is always a loss, but I just make sure to drain and replace each fall.

[EBass]

Mine is mostly a loss to. I did have it serviced this past spring with new seals. We'll see what happens when I drain it in the next week or so. Also need regrease the bearings.

[fishnowworknever]

I changed the boat up at the cabin, clean. I haven't changed mine yet.

[givetoget]

Thanks for the reminder.

[ozzie]

mine was milky but it is every year...

[Genofish]

no water for me, drain & fill every fall with out issues

[Finns]

Why drain each year? Just peace of mind?

[DTro]

Why drain each year? Just peace of mind?

water in lower unit + freezing temps = trouble.

[leech~~]

Why drain each year? Just peace of mind?

Peace of mind can be a good thing next spring! This is not mine!

[pinkfloyd4ever]

winner winner right here

[Finns]

I understand checking and draining milky water out, but to 'drain' all the oil seems a little overboard. But to each their own.

[CAMAN]

I understand checking and draining milky water out, but to 'drain' all the oil seems a little overboard. But to each their own.

The cost for a quart of oil vs. the cost for a new lower unit more than makes up for draining it each year. It's the insurance factor and knowing you have good oil in there. Oil breaks down over time, and with the pressures and possible temperature extremes it goes through when in operation it can break down even faster. And unless you spend the money to have the oil lab tested each season how do you know it hasn't broken down? I'd rather spend $10 and 10 minutes of my time each year and know I will be good to go, rather than have a possibility of the oil going bad and spend $1000+ for a new lower unit.

[Finns]

But to each their own.

[redneckdan]

It takes less than %0.5 water contamination to accelerate oil oxidization. By the time oil turns milky it's way beyond that point.

[Rivernut]

Just did mine today. Looks like it came right out of the original container. Do it every fall, never an issue.

[Kyhl]

Lube was good. I lost though because the boat is winterized early this year. I miss open water fishing already.

[Northlander]

I did mine and it was fine. Its cheap and easy to do and I cant see not doing it every fall. MUCH cheaper than having a issue with a lower unit because you didn't want to spend the $ or are too lazy.

[CaptainMusky]

I admit changing my lower unit is one of my least favorite things to do, but it gets done every Fall no matter what. I just wish someone would come up with a drain plug that wasnt a dang slotted head. Those things are a royal PITA! If there is one out there that is allen head, hex or something, please share because I would love it.

BTW I was a winner again. Its amazing how much water is held in the lower unit so make sure you guys lower the motor ALL the way down to make sure the water completely drains out. I have a feeling that is what led to the pic above versus water in the oil itself.