Yanmar SD-20 saildrive

[Commodore3]

With the boat out of the water is there anyway to change the oil in the drive with just draining it from the bottom and filling from the top without the use of a pump?

[gspeak]

That is exactly how it is meant to be done. Put a bucket under the drive, remove the drain screw, loosen the filler cap & drain.

Always put a new O ring on drain screw before replacing.

[DotDun]

I would suggest changing all the lower seals at that time. 2 lip seals, 2 o-rings, and 1 spacer

[Commodore3]

How about refilling with new oil, can you just pour it in the top without air being trapped? If so, wouldn't that take sometime for the air to bubble up and out?

[DotDun]

Originally Posted by Commodore3

How about refilling with new oil, can you just pour it in the top without air being trapped? If so, wouldn't that take sometime for the air to bubble up and out?

The yard does it for me, but I can't imagine there is a problem.

If it fills before you put in the designated amount, wait for the air to escape and put the rest in.

[Wanderlust]

From the SD20 Operation Manual .....

1. Remove the dipstick (yellow cap). Fill with approved lubricating oil.
2. Check the amount of lubricating oil by inserting the dipstick as far as possible. Do not screw the dipstick in.

The oil level should reach the upper mark on the dipstick.

NOTICE: It takes about 10 minutes to fill up the Sail-Drive with lubricating oil. Check the oil level 15 minutes after adding the specified quantity of oil.

The manual quotes the capacity as 2.2 litres (or 2.5 for the long-reach unit).

When I do mine I plan to turn the prop to help dissipate any air bubbles, and then recheck the level after first use.

[Tellie]

As easy as changing the oil in your car.

[svstrider]

Originally Posted by DotDun

I would suggest changing all the lower seals at that time. 2 lip seals, 2 o-rings, and 1 spacer

agree Just did both my SD 20s in the boat yard in Phuket. Do the seals, o rings. It is a fun job getting the lip seals out.
At least I found it so, until I realised that the spacer stops getting the top one out first. You have to punch out the bottom one (furthest from the prop) first then remove the spacer. You will learn a lotabout your sail drive doing it. There are a few good videos on U tube on how to do it. The guy doing it on U tube did not have any where near as much trouble as I did. Much easier getting the new ones back in. Don't forget to put the seals back facing in the right directions.

Have fun - engine maintenance in exotic locations.