Gear Lube Reservoir

Cableguy GregCableguy Greg Member Posts: 5,066 ✭✭✭✭✭
in Engine Discussions
What do you guys use to clean out the gear lube reservoir? Mine has sludge in the bottom of it and I would like to get it cleaned before my lower unit comes back from repair.
2008 280 Express Cruiser, 6.2MPI, B3, Pittsburgh, PA "Blue Ayes" (Sold)
2022 Cherokee 294GEBG Black Label land yacht. 
Go Steelers!!!
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Comments

  • Handymans342Handymans342 Member Posts: 10,375 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Brake cleaner.
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  • Handymans342Handymans342 Member Posts: 10,375 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Did you have a lot of sludge?
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  • Cableguy GregCableguy Greg Member Posts: 5,066 ✭✭✭✭✭
    It is about 1/4" thick. I have never cleaned it.
    2008 280 Express Cruiser, 6.2MPI, B3, Pittsburgh, PA "Blue Ayes" (Sold)
    2022 Cherokee 294GEBG Black Label land yacht. 
    Go Steelers!!!
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  • Michael TMichael T Member Posts: 7,241 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Be careful when cleaning the reservoir.  If you have a rag or anything inside the reservoir anywhere near the float pin assembly it is easy to dislodge and if you do it can not be repaired. You'll have to buy a new one. There is an E clip holding the float onto the ss slide pin that can come off rather easily. Don't catch anything on it or it will come off. Ask me how I know. :-( To clean them I just drained them with a turkey baster - CAREFULLY (the second time lol) with a soft lint free rag that had some new gear lube soaked into the tip - worked great and didn't introduce contaminants from another product, then refilled the reservoirs.
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  • Handymans342Handymans342 Member Posts: 10,375 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Brake cleaner. Evaporates quickly
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  • rasburyrasbury Member Posts: 8,823 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Why would there be that much sludge?
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  • Black_DiamondBlack_Diamond Member Posts: 5,439 ✭✭✭✭✭
    The oil breaks down from sitting. 

    Brake cleaner works well or mineral spirits too.  

    Past owner of a 2003 342FV
    PC BYC, Holland, MI
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  • zaverin1zaverin1 Member Posts: 1,672 ✭✭✭
    Last yet My tanks were nasty on the bottom. I took them to work and used mineral spirits to clean them out. This season they drained normal
    and no sludge.
    its from age and not cleaning I assume 
    we are dealing with gear lube oil and not something super thin
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  • Cableguy GregCableguy Greg Member Posts: 5,066 ✭✭✭✭✭
    I went the easy route... I bought a new bottle from Wholesale Marine. It cost me $41.
    2008 280 Express Cruiser, 6.2MPI, B3, Pittsburgh, PA "Blue Ayes" (Sold)
    2022 Cherokee 294GEBG Black Label land yacht. 
    Go Steelers!!!
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  • Cableguy GregCableguy Greg Member Posts: 5,066 ✭✭✭✭✭
    I cleaned the old bottle, but I should have listened to @Michael T . I tried using Acetone, which made a real mess. Got some Mineral Spirits and it cleaned right up. Now I have an extra bottle for the next time.
    2008 280 Express Cruiser, 6.2MPI, B3, Pittsburgh, PA "Blue Ayes" (Sold)
    2022 Cherokee 294GEBG Black Label land yacht. 
    Go Steelers!!!
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  • zaverin1zaverin1 Member Posts: 1,672 ✭✭✭
    Yep I cleaned my bottles in our parts washer which runs minerals and came out great
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