175 Pro XS lower unit fluid change

[stk44]

Hi All,

 

I just got my new boat on Saturday and it has a Mercury pro XS 175 on it. Other than engine break in and change oil after 10 hours, the dealer mentioned nothing about changing lower unit oil. Is that something that needs to be changed after 20 hours? I can’t seem to find any information on this for the newer motors and I read through my owners manual once and did not see anything. 
 

Any input would be greatly appreciated. 
 

thanks!

Steve 

[nosdog2]

Most manufactures say 100 hours or every year, whichever comes first. I usually do mine at the end of the year before I put it up for the winter. I usually do this to make sure there is no water intrusion or anything that need to be addressed over the winter. 

[stk44]

Hi All,

 

I just got my new boat on Saturday and it has a Mercury pro XS 175 on it. Other than engine break in and change oil after 10 hours, the dealer mentioned nothing about changing lower unit oil. Is that something that needs to be changed after 20 hours? I can’t seem to find any information on this for the newer motors and I read through my owners manual once and did not see anything. 
 

Any input would be greatly appreciated. 
 

thanks!

Steve 

[stk44]

20 minutes ago, nosdog2 said:

Most manufactures say 100 hours or every year, whichever comes first. I usually do mine at the end of the year before I put it up for the winter. I usually do this to make sure there is no water intrusion or anything that need to be addressed over the winter. 

Thanks. It seems like at one time, some manufacturer recommended at lower unit oil change at 20 hours. I just want to make sure there isn’t that same recommendation/ unwritten rule for my motor. On the other hand, if changing the lower unit oil provides no benefit, I obviously don’t want to do any additional work lol. 
 

 

[TOXIC]

Is the motor a 4 stroke? 

[stk44]

Hi, yes it is a 4 stroke. … and I just realized I double posted this topic. Whoops. 

[nosdog2]

 

Worst case is you are out $30 and about a half hour of time if you want to change it out if there is "break in" oil contained.  It's all about the peace of mind for you if you can't find anything definitive.  

[TOXIC]

If it’s new, there should be a Schedule in the owners manual for when to change.  In my 2 stroke it’s always cheap insurance. At least twice a year.

[TnRiver46]

It’s ultra easy and cheap to change so why not? Massive flathead screwdriver and a gear lube pump and you’re good to go for the rest of your life 

[airshot]

Being new, I would want it changed after a breakin just to be sure no foreign materials were left behind....then changed at the end of each season !!

[J._Bricker]

6 hours ago, TnRiver46 said:

It’s ultra easy and cheap to change so why not? Massive flathead screwdriver and a gear lube pump and you’re good to go for the rest of your life 

Or a 10mm socket, as I found out after finishing up lower unit gear lube change of my own ProXS. @stk44 the engine oil change is also pretty straightforward and easy. The biggest surprise was the ProXS oil capacity is the same as my GMC 6.2L, but the 7 quarts of Mercury oil definitely costs a prettier penny.

[stk44]

I think I’ll just do it. The manual only states every 100 hours or once yearly