Marine Grease & Grease Guns

Outboard Grease and Marine Grease Guns- Resources & Information

Lubrication is essential for the proper functioning and maintenance of outboard motors and other mechanical parts on boats. Greasing these parts helps to reduce friction and wear, extend their lifespan, and improve their overall performance. For this type of regular maintenance, you’ll need boat grease and a grease gun.

PartsVu offers a complete selection of Marine Grease & Grease Guns from OEM manufacturers and trusted aftermarket suppliers. Whether you need marine grease multipacks, a pistol action grease gun, extension hose for grease guns, and more, PartsVu has what you need to get the job done. 

Need help servicing your boat and outboard engine? PartsVu regularly publishes helpful how-to guides and other valuable maintenance information to help boaters service their outboard engines, boats, trailers, and more. Browse the PartsVu Xchange, our, for a wide range of relevant topics and review the FAQ section below, covering everything you need to know about maintaining your boat in confidence.

Marine Grease & Grease Guns FAQ

What is marine grease?

Marine grease is a lubricating grease specifically formulated for use in the marine environment. It is designed to withstand the harsh conditions found on boats, such as saltwater spray, extreme temperatures, and moisture. Marine grease typically contains a combination of base oils, thickening agents, and additives to provide the desired level of lubrication and protection for mechanical parts.

Some of the properties that marine grease should possess include:

• Water resistance: Marine grease should be able to withstand exposure to saltwater and other types of moisture without breaking down or washing away.
• High temperature stability: Marine grease should be able to maintain its consistency and lubrication properties at high temperatures, such as those encountered when the boat is running at high speeds or in hot climates.
• Corrosion protection: Marine grease should contain corrosion inhibitors to protect metal parts from rust and other forms of corrosion.
• Adhesiveness: Marine grease should be able to adhere to metal surfaces and stay in place during operation, rather than being thrown off or wiped away by moving parts.

Boat grease and outboard motor grease is typically available in tubes or cartridges that can be used with a grease gun, or in bulk containers for use with other types of grease application equipment.

What is a marine grease gun?

A marine grease gun is a tool that is used to dispense grease to lubricate mechanical parts on boats or other marine vehicles. It consists of a cylinder or cartridge that holds the grease, a handle and trigger for manual operation, and a nozzle or spout through which the grease for grease gun is dispensed. Some marine grease guns may also have a pressure gauge to help the user monitor the amount of pressure being applied and a flexible hose to help reach hard-to-access areas. Marine grease guns are typically made of corrosion-resistant materials, such as stainless steel or aluminum, to withstand the harsh marine environment. They are used to lubricate a variety of parts on boats, including propeller shafts, rudder bearings, and winches.

If you’re looking for grease guns for sale, PartsVu has a full selection available. The grease gun price averages about $30, but this is one piece of equipment you’ll end up using for years.

What is the best grease for boats?

When selecting the best grease for a boat, it is important to consider the specific lubrication and protection requirements of the mechanical parts being lubricated, as well as the operating conditions of the boat. Some factors to consider when choosing a marine grease include:

• Water resistance: Choose a grease that is specifically formulated for use in the marine environment and can withstand exposure to saltwater and other types of moisture.
• Temperature range: Select a grease that is suitable for the temperature range that the boat will be operating in. For example, if the boat will be used in cold climates, a grease with a lower dropping point (the temperature at which the grease begins to lose its structural integrity) may be necessary.
• Load carrying capacity: Choose a grease with a high load carrying capacity to provide adequate lubrication and protection for the mechanical parts being lubricated.
• Compatibility: Make sure that the grease is compatible with the materials of the parts being lubricated, as well as any other lubricants or sealants being used.

There are many different types of marine grease available on the market, including lithium-based greases, polyurea greases, and synthetic greases. It is always a good idea to consult the manufacturer's recommendations or a qualified marine mechanic for guidance on the best grease for a particular application.

Where can I learn how to grease my outboard motor?

PartsVu has plenty of resources for everything you need to know about marine grease and how to grease all makes and models of outboard motors. Start with the following guides and be sure to use the search bar to find plenty of other useful guides to maintain your boat in confidence:

• Mercury Outboard Grease Points – Here’s How
• Yamaha Outboard Grease Points – Here’s How
• Mercury 2-Stroke Grease Points – 100-Hour Service
• Yamaha Grease Points – 100-Hour Service
• Mercury Grease Points – 4-Stroke 100-Hour Service
• Guide to Yamaha Marine Grease

How often should I grease my Suzuki outboard grease points?

You must grease all points at regular service intervals—minimally, annually. Saltwater boaters need to lubricate much more frequently as saltwater breaks down grease, and saltwater on non lubricated surfaces causes a great deal of damage.

Refer to your owner’s manual to locate all the grease fittings on your specific engine. Most will be easy to find, but a couple are likely tucked away and are not quite as visible. While you must familiarize yourself with the grease fittings on your specific engine, common grease fitting points include:

• Steering friction adjustment shaft (tiller handle models) 
• Swivel bracket
• Tilt tube
• Steering cable grease fitting

To add grease, first wipe off the grease fitting before attaching the grease gun nozzle to avoid pumping dirt and debris into the grease point. Also, you may have to remove rust and other debris clogging/blocking grease fittings. 

Pump grease into the fitting until grease begins oozing out of the exit points of the area being greased. The old grease will be pushed out as it is being dislocated by the new grease. Wipe off the old grease with your rag.

When a given grease point is full, leave a bit of grease on top of the grease fitting to keep rust and other debris from accumulating. Wipe off any excess grease with your rag, then move to the next grease fitting.

While not needed for all scenarios, it is worth noting that Suzuki Water-Resistant Grease is formulated for high-temperature and high-load applications.

How do you install grease into a grease gun?

If you’ve ever used a caulking gun for household or boating applications, the process for setting up your grease gun is very similar. The only difference is that a grease gun is a closed system to prevent grease from leaking out, causing a mess.

Essentially, you load a tube into the grease gun and use a trigger-activated plunger to slowly dispense the grease through a thin hose as needed.

Installing a new tube of grease is a simple but potentially messy procedure.

• First, put on a set of gloves to avoid getting grease on your hands.
• Next, open up your grease gun. Most grease guns have a screw cap on the end of the barrel; turn counterclockwise until the unit comes apart.
• If there is any remaining grease around the screw threads, wipe it with several paper towels.
• Pull the follower rod of the grease gun all the way back until it is fully extended from the main retaining tube/cylinder.
• After opening up the cylinder, remove the plastic cap off the tube of Yamaha marine grease. Be careful not to open the pull-tab side yet.
• Insert the tube of marine grease into the grease gun cylinder, making sure the tube is secure.
• Next, remove the pull tab to expose the grease.
• Re-screw the barrel back on top of the grease gun, then back up the seal by a half-turn to help bleed air from the follower rod.
• On top of the grease gun, press the air bleed valve while slowly pushing the follower rod until you feel a bit of tension. 
• Firmly screw the cap of the grease gun back on.
• Pull the trigger of the grease gun slowly to remove the air from the hose. Once you see grease appear, stop pulling the trigger.
• The grease gun is ready for use. 
• To store the grease gun, replace a storage cap on the hose after cleaning residue from the barrel with a or paper towel.

What outboard engine tools should I have onboard?

Even if you don’t do your own maintenance, all boaters need some basic boat tools in their marine tool kits to help them out of a jam. Of course, if you plan to do your own maintenance or a portion of your own maintenance, you’ll need to be a bit better equipped.

So which boat tools should you have onboard? The following are our recommendations and the reasons behind them. Of course, the tools you should have onboard are significantly dictated by the type of boating you do. As a practical matter, a near-shore, freshwater boater needs fewer tools than an off-shore boater. While a problem close to the shore can be an annoyance, a problem off-shore might be a whole different matter.

• Fuel filter wrench—good idea to have on board if you get enough water or debris in your fuel system that a fuel filter change becomes necessary.
• Adjustable band filter wrench—you may need to change your fuel/water separating filter if you have water in your system or if you got some bad gas at the marina. US marinas nearly always sell high-quality filtered gasoline, but marinas in the Bahamas are notorious for selling contaminated gasoline.
• Prop nut wrench—carrying this wrench only makes sense if you carry a spare prop. Many boaters carry a spare inexpensive aluminum prop in case they spin a hub or bend a blade so severely that it wobbles.
• Deck fill key/deck plate key/spanner wrench—these universal tools are designed to open all types and sizes of deck fill lids and shackles. Many of these tools also include bonus tools like bottle openers. Perfect for a cold one after fishing.
• Toolkit—if you have room on your boat, all-purpose toolkits can come in handy. 
• Pliers—channel lock, standard, and needle nose
• Leatherman–a very helpful all-purpose tool.
• Rigging knife
• Serrated knife—for cutting rope, your all-purpose tool might include a serrated blade.
• Flashlight
• Emergency plug set—in case a leak manifests while you are out on the water.
• Battery booster pack
• Battery terminal cleaner
• Zip ties—because we all know that you can fix almost everything with zip ties and duct tape.
• Duct tape