flushing a gear case

[wiscoboater]

Hi guys,
I have a Merc 50hp gear case that has been sitting for many years. Pressure checks at 6psi fine for an hour so seals seem to be OK. Don’t know how long it sat for so I would like to flush it out before filling with lube and putting into service. Is diesel OK to use for this purpose, or is there something better I could use?

Thanks,
Wannabe

[Casey Lynn]

Flush it with new gear lube. Run it and replace again if you want to.

[PugetSoundBoater]

I would do the same ..drain well into clean container , refill ,run on a boat get it warmed up.. maybe a hour. Drain and refill with correct gearlube. Look for water and metal particles when draining lubes ,and run a magnet around in the drained lube to check for metal particles. Diesel,while being a good flush agent ,IMHO is going a bit overboard. May damage your gearcase seals,and residual diesel clinging to parts would dilute your new lube.

"Some people want to know how a watch works, others just want to know what time it is"
Robbie Robertson

[billw]

When you drained the Diesel, not all of it would come out; so what was left would be diluting the new oil, anyway. I’d flush with the oil, like the others have said.

Long live American manufacturing!

[wiscoboater]

Thanks Guys. It’s winter here so running it is not an option at this time. I’ll heat some fresh lube and pump it in then warm the case as I spin it

[Mumbles]

If the old oil comes out contaminated or you suspect water has been sitting in it for a while, you might want to consider taking it apart for proper servicing. 😮

[jeff-register]

Mumbles,
What 1956 OMC gearcase come from. I believe any mechanical should be cleaned up spotless. Only way to do a good inspection or run it. I would take anything apart if I was going to trust it across the water. Not only clean out but to measure wear on the hard parts. Looks like the Nasty Brothers owned that, Wash that thing out!
Merry Christmas

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