Hypoid oil

[airstar]

Does anyone know the definition of this commonly used Suzuki term? Its what Suzuki says needs to be purchased from them and installed in specific lower units. If I am correct, it means a HI pressure oil and a SAE 90. Anyone care to weigh in on this? I was planning on using Quicksilver High performance gear lube SAE 90.

[Harper]

Go ahead and use any good marine differential fluid as long as it's API GL-5. Suzuki's is 80W-90, but 75W-90 is okay also. I prefer synthetic in my DF150, but that's up to you.

[briscoe]

use 80-90W Gl5 oil

I would recommend using the Lucas Oil 80-90W synthetic GL5 oil that you can buy at most automotive stores. I made the mistake of using a 75-90W oil and it burned up my lower unit! I am certain it was the oil as it was black and stinking and the gears were ground up!

Hypoid gears place terrific strain on the contact surfaces. They take a very special blend of oil with properties that don't overheat. I found out later.

[Harper]

Could be good advice. On second look at the synth that I've used since the first lube change, it's actually rated 75W/80W-90. I'd be careful using regular automotive gear lube, however, unless you know it has additives to prevent foaming with water intrusion. Wouldn't want your lower unit to look like this..

[airstar]

Guys, Its my understanding that an oil that has a "W" following the # (Ex. 90W) is not a hi psi oil so not to be used in hypoid app.s . I think only the SAE are truly hi psi oils and that is what makes them a hypoid oil. I am no expert and if I am wrong say so but thats what I learned recently in my quest to find the true definition of a hypoid oil. Thanks for all of your input.

[keakar]

this explains the difference in hypoid and non-hypoid lubes:
Hypoid gear oil (Andy Dingley)

its interesting stuff

[airstar]

Awesome artical. Thanks for sharing.

[Harper]

Almost every gear oil made today has the "W" designation, including the Suzuki product. Every differential made today, and as far as I know, every marine lower unit made today utilizes hypoid gears.