Gear lube in power trim reservoir?

[FireDrill]

Hey! I posted this in the general maintenance thread, but someone suggested I post it here - here's hoping someone here can help! Thanks in advance.

"And possibly power steering fluid in gear lube reservoir! I had a friend "help" me out by topping off some fluids, and I'm worried that I now have the wrong fluids in places. Specifically, I think there is gear lube (bluish stuff) in the power trim reservoir, and I think there *might* be power steering fluid in the gear lube reservoir. I am trying to learn about all the fluids and what goes where, but it's so confusing, and when I asked the marina guys, I got even more conflicting info. So I asked for some help from someone who purports to know about these things, but now I'm second-guessing. I'm supposed to take folks out tomorrow, but I can't stop obsessively worrying that something is going to go horribly wrong!!"

 

[magstang1]

Engine oil in the power trim. Gear lube in the gear lube. Power steering in the power steering.

 

[FireDrill]

Engine oil in the power trim. Gear lube in the gear lube. Power steering in the power steering.

Well, sure - I get that. The problem is - what if I have the wrong fluids in some of these? Is it catastrophic, like the boat will explode or the engine will lock up? And if it catastrophic, does that mean I can't run the boat until I drain the fluids and re-fill with the proper fluid?

 

[Lazy Daze]

There is, unfortunately, no way any of us are going to be able to give you a outright answer. More specifically, we won't be able to give you the answer you're looking for... Sure, it'll be fine - it's OK to run it. There are just too many variables (including what drives you have), starting with the fact that you're not sure what was put where. Also, how much was put where? Everything else after this is a complete gamble. Can a system run with mixed fluids? Sure. For how long... back to lots of variables. The only thing that any of us can really safely recommend is going to be to say change the fluids or risk damaging components. I'm not trying to be crass, but I don't want to sugar-coat things and lead you down the wrong path.

Question... Are you sure you are referring to correct reservoirs?

 

[FireDrill]

Thanks, Lazy. And no worries - I don't think you're being rude or anything, I know it's a weird question. I am 99% sure that I am referring to the right reservoirs but I admit being confused about the whole outdrive situation (trying to learn, but haven't figured this whole engine out yet). I think the big problem is the power steering fluid in the outdrive reservoir, so I'm heading to the marina to see if I can get some help figuring that out. I think I just need to drain it and re-fill it with the right fluid, but I of course have no idea how to do that. Googled it, and, as stupid as this sounds, I have no idea where the drain plug is. I'll say this for boating, it's never boring!

 

[blaster]

Use a turkey baster to suck the fluid from the drive unit reservoir. If you didn't run the boat its unlikely much fluid made its way down. Refill it with mercury high performance gear lube. I don't think gear lube in the trim reservoir is as big of a deal but you can suck that out and replace it with motor oil pretty easily. I use transmission fluid in the power steering system or PS fluid.

They also make suction pumps with a reservoir to contain the fluids. West marine has them among other places, might be easier than using a baster.

To drain the out drives you need to pull the boat so I would try the suction method I mentioned and then service them when you WINTERIZE!

 

[Lazy Daze]

Blaster makes a good point that I didn't think of... If they engine hasn't been run, you might be alright. But unless you know FOR SURE what's going on, it might be best just to change it. You need to change the drive fluid once a year, anyways. The other don't normally need to replaced, but they're easy and cheap to do. Drive fluid needs to be changed out of the water - the others can be done in the water.