Lower Unit Service on a NEW-TO-ME Mercury 60hp 4 stroke outboard motor

Leaktest, lube-fill, water pump service - one video of a series on maintenance of a Mercury 60ELPT4S outboard motor, newly acquired, with an unknown maintenance history - I need have some confidence in it this summer on the water in our Hobo houseboat.

[@davey3765]

This video saved my ass big time I've spent a whole weekend trying to fix the shift linkage - I didn't realize you can keep spinning it clockwise and go through all the gears. I just needed it in neutral, learned a lot from this video. Just re-mounted the lower unit put the muffs and water on and its shifting perfectly!!!!!! THANK YOU!

[@oldhobo5610]

I am glad you had success!

[@KevinField-gu7kr]

Thank you for the informative video. The explanation and visual demo of the backlash in the forward position was very helpful. Cheers!

[@py2tacalexandre]

i'm from brazil....you helped me with the adjustment. the movement of the shift lever is very smooth, you have to be careful to get neutral. Thank you very much! Best Regards, from Brazil

[@oldhobo5610]

I am really glad the video was helpful! Obragado for the feedback.

[@lifescomplacencies5220]

I appreciate your informative videos. Thank you.

[@oldhobo5610]

I am glad you find the channel useful I'm inspired (or prodded) to spend some time today sifting and editing some video to make the next 2 or 3 videos. Thanks for that!

[@danielnicholls6868]

i can see that with only a bottom hole and one top hole but with two top holes air has a place to come out. good test on next fill leave bottom open and start to fill from top. if oil runs out as soon as you start to fill i see no problem.

[@sheckb1]

Very detailed video bud, cheers. But did you come across a little rubber ring between the pick up tube and pump housing? I did my pump watching your video and I have this piece left over. I can send you a pic if you like, i'm highly confused. Thanks.

[@oldhobo5610]

I am glad it was helpful. The pickup tube adapter at time 33:35 is the only thing I had to seal to the upper unit. It is the only thing shown in the parts diagram. I am not sure what it could be that you found. Is it a round o-ring cross section or square? What diameter?

[@sheckb1]

​@@oldhobo5610it's a grooved O ring about an inch round, maybe a fraction bigger. Is there any way I could send you a pic of it?

[@oldhobo5610]

@@sheckb1 Check out this link to the parts diagram (it is my model of 2001 60ELPT). The left over seal you found may be from somewhere else in the lower unit, beyond the scope of my video. www.perfprotech.com/mercury-marine-parts-catalog/gear-housingdriveshaft1831-gear-ratio/assembly/7457/230?model=1140

[@joshvandermolen5987]

Why does it need to be in forward? I was a little confused as I thought it needed to be in neutral. Have you ever replaced the shift shaft seal?

[@oldhobo5610]

You are testing my memory! The service manual page 6A-49 says to put the gear housing in forward (and the upper unit should be in the same state). The detent is an accurately known position. Also if it is gear you can rotate the prop shaft if necessary to help align the drive shaft to the motor when putting the lower unit back on. I have not changed a shift shaft or pump shaft seal. I saved the ones from the kit for next time.

[@user-yc6qi2pm1i]

Did you make your pressure tester or can you buy them?

[@oldhobo5610]

I made mine using a fitting from an outboard lower unit fill pump (purchased)and bought a regulator and quick connect fitting.

[@oddeman1]

Thanks for the video. Can you say what year model this motor is from?

[@oldhobo5610]

Model 60ELPT4S. It's a 2001 60hp Mercury 4 stroke. Standard gear case (not BigFoot). It has carburetors, later years were fuel injected. Thx for watching.

[@danielnicholls6868]

the bottom hole is probably just for draining can fill from one of the top holes and make less of a mess ... smart to put two top holes. fill from the last one to run out👍👍

[@ernestrhoades5147]

You should always fill from the bottom on lower unit ,due to oil galaries somtimes will hold air so factory recomends bottom up filling.

[@user-jz7sp5tt1g]

I, wantengine, resetingworke, ple