Outboard Motor Gearbox Oil

seaskimmer · 22 December 2003, 18:37

HI guys me again, have just succesfully carried out a winter service to my 40hp mariner, and found when changing my gear box oil that it came out really black and had a distinct burnt smell, it wasn't abrown colour,whitch could be explained by water contamination, but jet black. Is this just because it might be so old and has'nt been changed for awhile or what.

any advice greatly recieved

Paul F · 22 December 2003, 18:56

Nothing to lose any sleep over, more likely to have been in there a while and may not have been right oil, mind you gear lube does stink abit anyway

simmons0 · 22 December 2003, 19:21

You'd expect it to be more of a white colour if there was water in it. I agree with paul, dont worry about it.

jwalker · 22 December 2003, 20:07

It's been overheated. The blackness is carbon. Nothng you can do about it now. If you feel it's better out than in, you could flush it through. After which, just fill it with new oil and change it regularly from now on. Keep an eye out for more play in the shaft than normal and, also, any undue noise. It'll likely be ok.