Author Topic: Automatic Transmission Fluid for Lower Unit  (Read 1770 times)

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Offline InkyDoggy

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Automatic Transmission Fluid for Lower Unit
« on: August 03, 2021, 11:51:19 AM »
Has anyone ever heard of using Automatic Transmission Fluid in an outboard lower unit? The 75 Evinrude 115 I have on my boat I just purchased had it in it's lower unit. I drained it out and replaced it with the called for 80/90w gear lube. I never ran the boat on the lake yet so I am hoping this ATF that was in it did not hurt the gears any.
« Last Edit: August 04, 2021, 07:32:53 AM by InkyDoggy »

Offline thedeuceman

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Re: Automatic Transmission Fluid for Lower Unit
« Reply #1 on: August 03, 2021, 01:11:00 PM »
I have never heard anything like that, I know it’s common in newer automobiles to run ATF in a manual transmission, but I can’t imagine it would give us enough protection with the abuse these lower units take.
I suspect someone was MSU.


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Offline Plugcheck

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Re: Automatic Transmission Fluid for Lower Unit
« Reply #2 on: August 04, 2021, 07:57:26 AM »
I wonder if PO was using it as a storage lubricant only?  Better than storing it dry maybe.   It's good you found it before running it though, my guess, the ATF wouldn't protect the lower unit for very long.
Michael
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Offline InkyDoggy

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Re: Automatic Transmission Fluid for Lower Unit
« Reply #3 on: August 08, 2021, 08:59:04 PM »
After some research I found that there are a lot of Racing people that use it in their racing boats so I guess it is okay to run the lighter fluid in the low end/ I have 80 90 in it now and that is what will be used in it as long as I have it.