Oil for Yanmar SD50 Sail Drive ?

[SimonBUK]

Hi, I'm currently on a Beneteau with a Yanmar 4JH4AE engine so I believe it has a SD50 sail drive. It's low on gear oil and the Yanmar advice says use 'QuickSilver High Performance Gear Oil SAE90'.

Now this can't be the only oil to use.

Does anybody know what grade of oil I need to use, somebody suggested that it's the same as the engine oil ?

Regards,

Simon

[KeithB]

I have never heard of anyone using any oil other than the Quicksilver HP SAE 90 in the SD50s.
Why would you want to? All mercury outboard dealers stock it.

[Wotname]

Originally Posted by SimonBUK

Hi, I'm currently on a Beneteau with a Yanmar 4JH4AE engine so I believe it has a SD50 sail drive. It's low on gear oil and the Yanmar advice says use 'QuickSilver High Performance Gear Oil SAE90'.

Now this can't be the only oil to use.

Does anybody know what grade of oil I need to use, somebody suggested that it's the same as the engine oil ?

Regards,

Simon

While it true that many Yanmar supplied transmissions use the same oil as the engine, the SD50 isn't one of them.

I can't tell you how QuickSliver High Performance Gear Oil is different from other SAE90 EP oils but if you can't get the QuickSilver in your location, I would be tempted to use any well known brand of a SAE90 EP gear oil.

Google may give additional info on the QuickSilver specs.

[Bean Counter]

The Quicksilver / Mercury High performance gear oil has special additives, in particular water emulsifiers and corrosion inhibitors. Also never overfill your sail drive oil, in fact it is usually better to keep the oil at the halfway point between the upper and lower oil marks on the dipstick. The SD 50 lubrication system is a sensitive one. If you overfill it can overpressure the system and blow the oil seals. A blown top seal will result in a drip leak under the bell housing. A blown lower seal will result in water ingress - that is why the emulsifier is important.

[Privilege]

Oil for an Yanmar SD50 is as follows; 'standard of oil (SDL) is GL4 or GL5 at 80w90 or 90...or Quicksilver high performance gear lube". You'll need around 2.2l for the SD50.

Most recognized brands meet those standards and will state it on the container.

[zengirl]

Originally Posted by SimonBUK

Hi, I'm currently on a Beneteau with a Yanmar 4JH4AE engine so I believe it has a SD50 sail drive. It's low on gear oil and the Yanmar advice says use 'QuickSilver High Performance Gear Oil SAE90'.

Now this can't be the only oil to use.

Does anybody know what grade of oil I need to use, somebody suggested that it's the same as the engine oil ?

Regards,

Simon

I have a Yanmar 3YM30. It takes an engine oil, just like car, but no transmission oil. The gear oil is for gears and tranny. And that is also the the gear oil I use. U should be able to download a PDF file for your engine and you can see what you need. I was very confused at first until it took about 5 people at Yanmar place to figure it out. Most NAPA carry the gear oil.

[ChrisseH]

Please be aware of the following discussion related to gear oil for SD50: http://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/...-192693-2.html
Because of this I have now started to use only GL-4 rated gear oil in my SD50.

[SimonBUK]

Thanks for replies so far. Reason I ask is I can't get the Quicksilver where I am !!

I'll divulge the rest of your answers !!

[Cool Hand Luke]

This is what I use. Recommended by the marina where I bought my SO409 with a Yanmar 3JH5CE engine and SD50 sail drive.