Out drive oil

[Matt Drosky]

When storing the boat for the winter am I supposed to drain the out drive?
Being stored outside in Ohio.
First timer here.
Thanks

 

[JimG]

It is recommended to drain and refill the outdrive gear lube, if that's what your talking about. The idea being that if you have any water in your lube, you don't want it to freeze and bust the case. Plus it's a good schedule for changing it.

You also want to lower the drive for storage... that drains any water out and prevents rain/snow from building up in it.

 

[Espos4]

I wouldn’t leave it drained for the winter. There is a chance that condensation could cause rust to form on the internals.

 

[BillK2632]

Change it along with the engine oil before you put it away for the winter. For all the reasons mentioned, plus in the spring those are two less things to do!

 

[Jeff Delbuono]

Yes on making sure you lower your unit. I made the pricey mistake of not doing that a couple years ago on a alpha 1 gen 1. Im in NJ and after a good winter i found that water and snow went down the prop bell and froze. Spring time found the nice 3 inch crack by the prop. Nice $1,500 ooooo f- me mistake i will never do again

 

[Matt Drosky]

It is recommended to drain and refill the outdrive gear lube, if that's what your talking about. The idea being that if you have any water in your lube, you don't want it to freeze and bust the case. Plus it's a good schedule for changing it.

You also want to lower the drive for storage... that drains any water out and prevents rain/snow from building up in it.

I wouldn’t leave it drained for the winter. There is a chance that condensation could cause rust to form on the internals.

Yes on making sure you lower your unit. I made the pricey mistake of not doing that a couple years ago on a alpha 1 gen 1. Im in NJ and after a good winter i found that water and snow went down the prop bell and froze. Spring time found the nice 3 inch crack by the prop. Nice $1,500 ooooo f- me mistake i will never do again

Thank you all for the sound advise!!!

Change it along with the engine oil before you put it away for the winter. For all the reasons mentioned, plus in the spring those are two less things to do!

 

[flash gordon]

i agree with above info,,if you got water in your drive, and it can happen,you could have serious problems.
i checked my trs drives on my scarab few years ago, and the one drive had water in it. pulled drive, had it gone thru, was a bad seal.

 

[Matt Drosky]

Thanks to everyone!

 

[Nater Potater]

A second on @Espos4 to fill them back up, and, for lowering the outdrives (which should be done anytime the boat's on the trailer and not being actively towed), the bellows are in a much more relaxed state. Trust me; you don't want to find torn bellows come the first Spring launch.