Lower End Gear Oil Change / Alpha One Gen 2 / Bravo

[@gregcooke7814]

Thanks you for these videos. New boat owner who just serviced my boat myself for the first time.

[@thejakein7867]

Awesome video. Straight to the point and effective

[@SS-zl3go]

You should lower the unit slightly before filling to get the right level out the vent. Not a big deal with Gen 2 because the reservoir will top it off but why top off twice?

[@chrisgoodson2604]

Perfect 👌

[@bcuzzzzz]

Unrelated to the subject matter, but that center light on the boat trailer...do you know where to find a replacement just like it?

[@harveyroad6]

Simple stuff. Thanks

[@BigIslandMNMinnetonka]

You're welcome

[@jebo4211]

There are two lines on my monitor [reservoir]. 400 at the bottom and on the top driving range. Which line do you fill it to

[@Bikes_N_Adventure]

Have you ever had the tube that feeds from the top up reservoir to the outdrive leak? I suspect that's my issue..

[@BigIslandMNMinnetonka]

I have not had that issue

[@daithiosioradain3380]

You probably had an airlock in the gearbox behind the prop because of filling it while raised. I suggest drain while raised -as you did- but then trim all the way down and in fully before filling. You may also have gotten oil out the level/vent screw a little prematurely from having the unit tilted. But keep your Reservoir topped up and it should be OK.

[@michaelp2922]

Hello Chris nice to see you're posting again. If by chance you are planning to pull your outdrive to inspect it, would you be able to make a video of it? I will be doing it for the first time this week and I'm afraid that I'll mess something up. You seem to explain things the easiest for me to understand haha

[@BigIslandMNMinnetonka]

Once it warms up I might take it off just for video purposes. If you do it be careful. The lower end is heavy

[@JohnWayne-ck5fx]

I've always put the vent screw in after it stars weeping then I pump more fluid to fill the Reservoir Half Way full So I know there's no air

[@BigIslandMNMinnetonka]

Not a bad idea.

[@VA7ACG]

Good tip. This is the correct manner to top up the reservoir to the mark, so as to avoid air lock between the leg and the reservoir.

[@bradkendzora2170]

I've seen others pull the prop off and lube it while doing the fluid. Is this not necessary?

[@BigIslandMNMinnetonka]

You don't have to but, it is a good idea because fishing line can get rapped up on the shaft and it can damage the seals

[@lloydspooner]

I have an Alpha One Gen 2 that does not have a reservior. Must have been optional

[@robertsupriano1969]

I am in the same boat. No pun intended. I hope I’m not missing the reservoir

[@nathanmcolton]

Chris, great video. Slightly off topic, but what prop is that? I have a 18 foot bowrider with the Merc 4.3 and looking to change to a 4 blade prop. Not sure if I should go with the 19 pitch or 21 pitch. Thanks for all the great content.

[@BigIslandMNMinnetonka]

I think 14 and a half 19 pitch

[@BigIslandMNMinnetonka]

I had a 21 pitch when it was a 3 blade

[@nathanmcolton]

@@BigIslandMNMinnetonka Thanks for the replies. Much appreciated.

[@falconeaterf15]

When I do mine I remove bottom screw, then take cap of reservoir and let it drain. Why remove vent screw when you have the reservoir to break the airlock? To fill, make sure cap is still off reservoir, and pump oil into the bottom until fresh oil shows in the reservoir. Pump oil until reservoir is 3/4 full. Put cap back on reservoir, and replace bottom drain plug. No air in any lines this way. Still a messy thankless job but hey, all part of the joys of boating!

[@Yogranny22]

Love the vids, was wondering if you are able to show how to drain fuel from the lines and tank on a Mercruiser 4.3 Alpha One Gen 2. That’s the only thing stopping me from getting my boat ready for summer. Need to get the old fuel out so I can put in new fuel. Any help would be appreciated!

[@BigIslandMNMinnetonka]

Maybe get a oil pump for $18 take off the fuel line , hook it up and pump it out.

[@Indylimburg]

What signs that the low end oil needs to be replaced should you look for?

[@BigIslandMNMinnetonka]

In my opinion just replace it. It won't show a sign unless you have a lower end reservoir

[@fizzybillylah3816]

Noisy unit or milky oil…two biggest signs…then as Chris says just replace it with SEI unit

[@thomasfasanelli9122]

Hey, great video. So, the drain screw and vent screw are a little different. One has a little extra (unthreaded)shaft coming off it. Do you remember which is the vent screw and which is the drain? I forgot

[@BigIslandMNMinnetonka]

The bottom screw has the longer none threaded piece. It is a magnet to collect metal shavings

[@richardhoats1980]

I changed the impeller on mine. While dropping the lower end, two flaps fell out. I found out after watching your videos. I replaced the exhaust flappers. Dropped the upper end and later found out that was a total waste of time. After replacing all my gaskets and reassembling, I started filling with gear oil.... from the bottom with the top vent hole out. I never got oil out the top vent hole. It started coming out the sides of the lower unit. Any idea wth is causing this?! I tried filling from the top and filling the reservoir as well but everything drained out over night. Please help :-(

[@joepangit6938]

Did you put that little flat o-ring back in? This guy points it out here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/raLOfXisptp0Y9U

[@richardhoats1980]

@@joepangit6938 found out later that day exactly what it was. Fortunately one of the local shops had the correct O-ring in stock.

[@vincebik817]

Hi Chris, i have a question: i changed my gear oil already but i forgot to change my impeller. Now i want to change my impeller, Is it possible to change my impeller without losing oil from the lower part of the sterndrive? Thank you

[@BigIslandMNMinnetonka]

The lower end oil is in both parts. Above the impeller and below. The best thing you can do is drain it and refill after. Or just drain most of the oil. When you split the two pieces what ever oil is in the top will drain out and leave a mess.

[@vincebik817]

Chris Boats thank you!

[@robertsupriano1969]

Is there a such thing as upper gear oil change? All the videos talk about lower end gear oil change

[@BigIslandMNMinnetonka]

There is a little area where if filled properly the gear oil gets pumped from the bottom and goes all the way to the top. So, filling the bottom fills the top too

[@robertsupriano1969]

@@BigIslandMNMinnetonka ok thanks!

[@anthonyflores4142]

Where should I be looking for leaks if my fluid is milky?

[@BigIslandMNMinnetonka]

Might be the prop shaft seal. Get it pressure tested

[@fizzybillylah3816]

It’s not worth rebuilding…might as well buy new SEI unit and get a warranty and be done with it. Rebuilding approaches same cost as new. My two cents. What did you end up doing?

[@JoseGuerrero-nj6gr]

I’m have mercruiser 3.0 alpha one motor ,,, carburetor I’m tru on end I’m tru off so the 2 times dot tru on my battery it’s down,,,, So what I am can do it.? Thank you

[@BigIslandMNMinnetonka]

Sorry, not sure what you are asking

[@JoseGuerrero-nj6gr]

The first time when I’m turn on my boat is normal but later they don’t want to start

[@joesanchez7920]

Thanks, i just replaced mine but i forgot to drain all the lube from the reservoir...

[@BigIslandMNMinnetonka]

That is fine. It is very unlikely water got in there

[@donsscooters]

Don't do it with the motor tilted up though,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,Anybody can make a video but this one needs to be deleted.

[@richardlauze2873]

Only fill when the lower unit is all the way down,zippy

[@BigIslandMNMinnetonka]

I agree