Mercruiser Sterndrive Information
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Gray Mush in your Gear Lube
Gray mush is metal in your lube.
It is an indication of a very serious internal failure. Bad gears, a failed bearing or a damaged shaft can allow this mush to occure.

If you see gray streaks or if your lube is all gray and thick, don't use the drive. More expensive damage will occure should you use the drive in such condition.

Take the drive to an experienced Mercruiser tech for disassembly and inspection.

Do-it-yourselfers can usually rebuild a drive with the proper shop, manuals and special tools. Usually the entire drive is disassembled, cleaned, inspected, reshimmed and resealed.

Gear Lubes

There are two types of drive lube. Premium and High Performance.
Older drives, such as the ones listed below use Mercruiser Premium Gear Lube.
R, MR, Alpha One, II, IITR, TR, TRS All used Premium although they can also use Mercruiser High Performance Gear Lube. The Mercruiser Premium Gear Lube looks translucent caramel in color.

Bravo One, Bravo Two and Bravo III's all MUST use High Performance Gear Lube. Alpha One Gen II drives also use High Performance Gear Lube.
High Performance Gear Lube has a Blueish-Green green color. It is specially formulated to work well with the Bravo style cone clutch system.

Drive Lube Capacity
You will always use more lube than the factory specified capacity.
R, MR, Alpha One and Alpha One Gen II's all use about one quart.
Bravo Ones use about 3 quarts and a Bravo II or Bravo III will use a little over 3 quarts.
A TRS will use 1 Gallon.
Always buy a little more in case you spill some or need to top off a reservoir.

92-858064K01 Hi-Performance Gear Lube Qt $ 13.00 ea
92-858058K01 Premium Gear Lube Qt $ 13.00 ea
TIP: We like using the High Performance Gear Lube in all drives.
This great little pump works great and it's cheap.
Gear Lube Pump 802891K2
802891K2 Gear Lube Pump Kit (quart size) $10.00

Safety
Lubes, greases and oils can be bad for your health. Use rubber gloves. Always wear safety glasses. Be smart.
Sterndrive-Information
Change your Alpha Gear Lube
Change your Bravo Gear Lube
Why does my drive lube have white streaks?
Why does my drive lube have gray mush?
Replace Your Alpha One Water Pump
Replace your Alpha Gen II Water Pump
Rebuild your Bravo Raw Water Pump

Troubleshoot & Replace your Alpha Shift Cable
Troubleshoot & Replace your Bravo Shift Cable

Replace your Alpha One Bellows & Gimbal Bearing
Replace your Alpha Gen II Bellows & Gimbal bearing
Replace your Bravo Bellows & Gimbal Bearing
Why does my drive "Growl" when I turn?
Water is leaking into my boat from the transom

Replacing your Trim Sender Switches
My Trim doesn't work but my Trailer Switch does
My Trim Gauge is Pegged

Rebuild your Alpha One Upper Driveshaft Housing Assembly
Rebuild your Alpha One Lower Gear Housing Assembly

Check your Engine Alignment
Check for Excessive Steering Play
Troubleshoot an Overheating Problem
Should I remove my thermostat?
Why do I overheat when going fast?
Troubleshoot a No-Crank Condition
Troubleshoot a No-Start Condition
My Engine Backfires and/or Surges and has Lack of Power
What is an Anti-Syphon Valve?
My Engine blows Steam from the Exhaust
Why do I hear a "clakity" sound while at idle?
Exhaust Manifolds...IMPORTANT Information
How do I Winterize my engine?

What is Galvanic Corrosion?
I have a Bravo III Galvanic Corrosion Problem
What is a Mercathode?
All about Zinc Anodes
How do I check my carburetor?
What carburetor do I have? A Rochester or a Mercarb?
I have water in my fuel
My fuel smells like varnish
My fuel is old
My engine has been sitting for several months without being run.

I have a Mercruiser 470, 485, 488, 190, 3.7L Engine
I have coolant dripping from the front of my engine
Can I install a regular Alternator instead of the Stator-Rotor?

Converting an OMC to a Mercruiser


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