Yamaha Yamalube OEM Outboard Gear Lube Kit

Yamaha Marine Engine Gearcase Lube Resources and Information

Our Yamaha marine engine gearcase lubes are designed to withstand the harshest marine environments while keeping your Yamaha outboard lower unit gearcase sufficiently lubricated to maintain peak performance. 

To assist with all your Yamaha outboard maintenance tasks, we offer the following helpful resources: 

• Yamaha Outboard Maintenance Parts Charts
• Yamaha Outboard Specs & Capacities Chart
• Yamaha Outboard 100-hour Service Guides

Looking for other parts or accessories to service your Yamaha outboard engine? We stock a complete range of Yamaha outboard parts to choose from.

Yamaha Gear Lube for Outboard Engine Gearcase Components FAQ

How do I increase the lifespan of my Yamaha outboard motor?

From the moment your Yamaha outboard first hits the water, your outboard lower unit will start to degrade. If your engine is used heavily, allowed to corrode, stored improperly, and not properly maintained, your Yamaha outboard engine’s lifespan will be significantly shortened. 

Yamaha makes a diverse line of high-performing outboard motors that will perform many years of service before needing to be replaced. However, your commitment to regular maintenance is required to achieve optimal performance and a long lifespan. 

For example, not regularly changing your marine lower unit’s oil with Yamalube gear lube can seize your engine, costing thousands in repairs and degrading its overall performance. That’s why having a Yamaha marine gear lube kit on hand is a wise and cost-effective long-term strategy.

What is the benefit of DIY marine outboard repairs?

Having all the necessary parts and products on hand saves you time and money. Fortunately, PartsVu provides all the parts for changing Yamaha gear lubricant in our Yamaha gear lube kits.

By choosing to service your Yamaha lower unit yourself, you can change your oil, replace routine parts, and lube up your Yamaha outboard engine in a matter of hours. This saves you the time and money you would otherwise spend, taking your boat to a mechanic. 

How do I know when it’s time to change my Yamaha gear lube?

Oil and grease are the primary lubricants that keep your outboard in the water and out of the repair shop. You’ll know it’s time to change your Yamaha gear lube by keeping track of your outboard service intervals, or when you detect oil that is milky in color, smells burnt, or looks darker than usual when checking it.

A question we often hear is, “Can I use regular gear oil in my lower unit?”

The answer is no. Lower unit oil is made with emulsificantes, which means lower unit gear oil has additives that help absorb moisture to prolong engine performance. Because the lower unit is used primarily in water, emulsificantes ensure the proper longevity and performance of your Yamaha outboard motor.

How long is the service interval for Yamaha outboard engines?

Yamaha outboard motors require regular maintenance to stay reliable out on the water and avoid breakdowns. This maintenance must occur after 20 hours of service for new engines, then every 100 hours. You should perform enhanced service every 300 hours and 500 hours.

Why get a Yamaha gear lube kit? 

Easier maintenance means more time on the water. Instead of making multiple trips to the marine supply shop, with our Yamaha gear lube kits, you’ll have everything you need to perform Yamaha gear lube changes on hand. 

PartsVu’s Yamaha marine gear lube kits include the following (kits vary based on your Yamaha engine model): 

• Yamalube gear lube
• Yamaha gear lube pump
• Yamaha outboard lower unit drain gaskets

How do I select the right parts for my Yamaha outboard motor?

PartsVu’s Yamaha Outboard Maintenance Parts Charts are designed to help you find the right Yamaha outboard parts for your particular engine to perform regularly scheduled maintenance. For Yamaha outboard motors, maintenance needs to be performed after 20 hours for new motors, then after 100, or 300 hours of service for optimal performance. Geared towards beginners and amateur mechanics, these maintenance parts charts are organized by each model number for Yamaha’s line of 4-stroke engines.

For those looking for even more specific and in-depth information, PartsVu offers Yamaha Outboards Engine Schematics. 

By clicking on this link, you will be taken to Yamaha’s Parts Lookup/schematics page. Once there, you will choose the right parts for your Yamaha by searching either by your outboard’s Primary Identification Number (PID) located at the top of this page. or look up your model using a series of dropdown menus on the left side of the page.

How do I service my Yamaha outboard lower unit? 

Yamaha lower unit gear lube is drained by removing the lower drain screw first and then the upper plug vent to allow air in. On most models, both plugs are clearly visible on the lower unit, but on models with low water pickups, the forward pickup will need to be removed to access the drain plug. 

Use a properly sized screwdriver assisted by a wrench if necessary to loosen these screws which should be pretty tight. An impact driver and hammer may be needed depending on who serviced your engine last. The drain screw has a magnetic tip, so inspect the plug after removal to see if heavy deposits exist. Some fine shavings are normal, but chunks or a large quantity of metal are cause for further inspection. Have a drain pan and extra rags handy as gear lube will begin running down the skeg as soon as you remove the upper vent plug. Be sure to collect the fiber gaskets from both plugs after removal, as these are not reusable and should be discarded.

Why keep my Yamaha outboard lower unit gears lubricated?

The gears inside your Yamaha lower unit are constantly turning, and the only protection they have is the lower unit lubricant you use. Its job is to form a micro-thin film between the metal component parts to keep them from actually touching. Under the large loads, these gears exert, proper lubrication requires extreme resistance to pressure, foaming, and molecular shear. And, since the lower unit operates underwater, its lubricant also has to be capable of maintaining necessary lubricity even when a significant amount of water is present, should some leak inside. Ordinary gear lubricant can’t do all of this; so always avoid automotive or tractor gear oils. Use a quality, marine-based formula, like Yamalube Marine Gearcase Lube. It can perform all of these required protection and lubrication duties, even with a full 10% of water present. There’s even an HD formula, to meet the special needs of Yamaha’s top-of-the-line V MAX SHO, 4.2L V6 Offshore, and 5.3L F350 V8 outboard lower units.

How do I change my Yamaha lower unit gear lubrication?

Yamaha recommends replacing your lower unit lubricant after the first 20 hours for a new outboard, then every 100 hours after that. Also, if it’s milky in color or smells or looks burnt when you’re checking it, it’s time for a change. To do it yourself, place a pan under the bottom drain screw, remove the screw, and then remove the upper vent screw on the side of the lower unit. Allow all of the lubricant to drain into the pan. While you’re waiting, check the drain screw. Also at this time, replace the small crush washer present on each screw (commonly known as “drain plug gaskets”). If you don’t see one, it may still be adhering to the outboard. Use a pick to pull it free, as these must be located, discarded, and replaced each time these screws are removed.

Once all the lube has drained, refill the lower unit by threading the appropriate fitting into the lower unit drain screw opening (on the bottom of the bullet) and slowly pumping in fresh Yamalube Marine Gearcase Lube or Lubricant HD. Once you see this new fluid seeping out of the upper vent screw hole, stop and wait 5 minutes, then very slowly continue pumping until it seeps from the vent screw again. At this point, replace the vent screw with a new crush washer installed, and tighten it according to manufacturer specifications. Remove the fitting attached to the drain screw opening, and quickly re-install the drain screw with the new crush washer installed. Tighten to factory specifications.