Lower Unit Drive Oil Change
 

For the first year, I wanted to try attempting to change the lower drive oil on my 2001 Baja Outlaw with 454s and I believe Bravo 1 outdrives.


Unfortunately, I cannot find the lower drain screw to empty out the outdrive. I found the upper, but i don't see any lower screws. Can somebody help me locate this screw so I can drain the old oil and not hire this task out again.


Thanks!

pull the prop, its behind it

At the bottom, when prop is removed. You need to buy a hand oil pump and fill the drive from the bottom drain plug once the fluid has drained. You need to remove the second plug toward top of drive also when filling. When fluid starts coming out of top drain plug, put top plug back in and keep filling till fluid goes in reservoir in engine bay. Reinstall bottom plug. Make sure reservior is up to full mark.

If you remove the prop shaft anode which is located just above the drain plug , it will make it easier to get the drain plug out and back in.

I usually pump until the fluid appears at the upper hole, but have never pumped it all the way to the bottle. I just top up the bottle as needed. Also, when draining, I put the bottle on it's side to retain it's fluid.

To the OP, yes, do it yourself. It's a little messy when you remove your fluid pump's fitting and quickly install the drain plug, but you'll get the hang of it. BTW, if you use Merc HP fluid, it is available in 10 litre (quart) bulk containers. Yes, the dealers would much rather sell you many one quart bottles.... Lol. You'll still need a one quart bottle for mating to your pump and filling the drive though.

I use an old pump sprayer and just pour the lube in the sprayer. Cut the spray handle off and replace with the fitting from the hand pump, much easier. Best price I found for lube is buying a 5 gallon pale on ebay.

I also fill the drive off the boat, then once up to the vent, install plug, then lay drive on its side and fill the vent hole up.

Don't forget to at least every 3rd season to empty the bottle and clean it out, then refill. It gets all kinds of crud built up in it

Haven't seen the 5 gallon size..... Who makes it?

Mercruiser
https://www.ebay.com/p/Mercury-quick....c100005.m1851

The QS Premium Gear lube is for low hp Outboards less than 75hp.
You need need High Performance Gear lube for Alphas and Bravo's
Gearcase Lubricants - Quicksilver Products
$10 a qt at Walmart.

Sorry grabbed the wrong link, I bought HP lube search on 92-858008Q01 that will get you the 5 gal (188 and free ship)

https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_fro...08Q01&_sacat=0