A good way to ruin your SD50 saildrive

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   I just posted a warning about the use of GL5 oil in the Italian section, but my advice was answered with a "thanks but no thanks", by a sailor who has confidence in the Quicksilver oil/lube.
I just made a search of this Quicksilver oil, and it is extremely difficult to find informations if it is GL5 or GL4/GL5, even on their own homepage, As I recall, the Quicksilver "meets or exceeds GL5", and thereby will be eating the yellow metals in your SD50. 
In my country we have a old saying: "You can lead the horse to the trough, but you can not force him to drink". 
I have no intentions to force anyone to abandon GL5, but I can give sound advice to examine the facts about GL4/GL5 and SD50, e.g. in this forum, where StavrosNZ has given a lot of facts about what to do (and especially what NOT to do) about your SD50 saildrive. Use the search function.
If you Google the topic, you will get results, where people around the world are stating, that the GL5 is eating the Brass/Copper/Bronze in their vintage Tractors, Cars and Boats. 
If you do not have the time/patience to seek the truth by yourself, you could (just for safety) take the advice that StavrozNZ/Stephen and I are advocating: ONLY USE GL4 OIL IN YOUR SD50!!!
My SD50 manual is 14 years old, but I do not believe, that Yanmar has changed the text:

So, if you believe in Yanmars recommendation, by all means continue to use GL5, it is a newer and a better oil 

This is an extract of what I wrote in the Italian forum:

Remember to use GL4 oil - it is strictly forbidden to use GL5 oil.Maybe
 Marco can help you with a manual: 
http://www.wesailhanse.se/Hanse370_documents/370_documents_yanmar/Yanmar_SD50_Verkstadshandbok.pdf
The
 problem with using GL5 oil in the SD50 saildrive is described in detail
 if you use the search function. Try "SD50", "slipping cone clutch", 
"GL5" e.g.
NEVER use an oil with GL4/GL5 on the label! You have to use an oil which is solely marked GL4!
The
 clutch in the SD50 saildrive was invented when it was allowed to use 
lead (Pb) in oil. It is now forbidden, and instead there are added other
 ingredients which are harmful for the bronze/copper in the cone clutch 
in SD50. Yanmar is a company of greedy "kapitalists". They still 
recommend GL5 for the saildrives (even though they should know better), and 
they have raised the price for spare parts to the SD50. Surely you can 
pay them for a replacement SD60 saildrive, so they can earn more money.
If
 Yanmar had had  a little concern about their customers, they would have
 issued a Technical Bulletin about the problem with GL5, and they would 
have lowered the price of the spare parts.
This Castrol oil is marked GL4 (Recommended by Captain Cook)

Edited by Captain Cook - 14 February 2020 at 00:15

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Captain Cook Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Admiral Joined: 23 May 2006 Location: Denmark Status: Offline Points: 1245	Post Options Post Reply Quote Captain Cook Report Post Thanks(1) Quote Reply Topic: A good way to ruin your SD50 saildrive Posted: 13 February 2020 at 19:51
	I just posted a warning about the use of GL5 oil in the Italian section, but my advice was answered with a "thanks but no thanks", by a sailor who has confidence in the Quicksilver oil/lube. I just made a search of this Quicksilver oil, and it is extremely difficult to find informations if it is GL5 or GL4/GL5, even on their own homepage, As I recall, the Quicksilver "meets or exceeds GL5", and thereby will be eating the yellow metals in your SD50. In my country we have a old saying: "You can lead the horse to the trough, but you can not force him to drink". I have no intentions to force anyone to abandon GL5, but I can give sound advice to examine the facts about GL4/GL5 and SD50, e.g. in this forum, where StavrosNZ has given a lot of facts about what to do (and especially what NOT to do) about your SD50 saildrive. Use the search function. If you Google the topic, you will get results, where people around the world are stating, that the GL5 is eating the Brass/Copper/Bronze in their vintage Tractors, Cars and Boats. If you do not have the time/patience to seek the truth by yourself, you could (just for safety) take the advice that StavrozNZ/Stephen and I are advocating: ONLY USE GL4 OIL IN YOUR SD50!!! My SD50 manual is 14 years old, but I do not believe, that Yanmar has changed the text: So, if you believe in Yanmars recommendation, by all means continue to use GL5, it is a newer and a better oil This is an extract of what I wrote in the Italian forum: Remember to use GL4 oil - it is strictly forbidden to use GL5 oil. Maybe Marco can help you with a manual: http://www.wesailhanse.se/Hanse370_documents/370_documents_yanmar/Yanmar_SD50_Verkstadshandbok.pdf The problem with using GL5 oil in the SD50 saildrive is described in detail if you use the search function. Try "SD50", "slipping cone clutch", "GL5" e.g. NEVER use an oil with GL4/GL5 on the label! You have to use an oil which is solely marked GL4! The clutch in the SD50 saildrive was invented when it was allowed to use lead (Pb) in oil. It is now forbidden, and instead there are added other ingredients which are harmful for the bronze/copper in the cone clutch in SD50. Yanmar is a company of greedy "kapitalists". They still recommend GL5 for the saildrives (even though they should know better), and they have raised the price for spare parts to the SD50. Surely you can pay them for a replacement SD60 saildrive, so they can earn more money. If Yanmar had had a little concern about their customers, they would have issued a Technical Bulletin about the problem with GL5, and they would have lowered the price of the spare parts. This Castrol oil is marked GL4 (Recommended by Captain Cook) Edited by Captain Cook - 14 February 2020 at 00:15
	Freya H400 #27 (2006),2-cabin, 40HP 3JH4E, 3-blade Flexofold, Aries LiftUp Windvane, Exturn 300, Jefa DD1,Simrad NX40,Icom M603(VHF)+M802(SSB)

StavrosNZ Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Rear Admiral Joined: 24 October 2014 Location: New Zealand Status: Offline Points: 581	Post Options Post Reply Quote StavrosNZ Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 13 February 2020 at 20:35
	Quite correct, as Captain Cook says use the search function and see the many detailed threads on this subject. The SD50 saildrive is not Yanmars best work and as built it has inherent design and longevity flaws however with a rebuild of the cone clutch using the upgrade kit that replaces the brass washers with thrust washers and correct the clearances (avalible from saildrives@yahoo.com for approx US$600), venting the gear case and using the correct oil (GL4 only) you will get many years good service. Alternatively feel free to pay somebody to replace it with the newer SD60 but that at huge expense.
	Stephen 2010 H400 #691, Auckland, New Zealand

margot Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Lieutenant Joined: 09 October 2019 Location: pisa Status: Offline Points: 54	Post Options Post Reply Quote margot Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 21 February 2020 at 11:45
	Gent. quicksilver lube oil, as write on the stick in Gl4. Thks again to all for the answers. My question is if possible charge the oil sail drive without pump . My hanse is on the ground. thk ste

Captain Cook Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Admiral Joined: 23 May 2006 Location: Denmark Status: Offline Points: 1245	Post Options Post Reply Quote Captain Cook Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 21 February 2020 at 14:32
	As I have mentioned above, any Hanse owner can be enlightened by visiting Marcos homepage. Do download the Operation Manual for your saildrive here: http://www.wesailhanse.se/Hanse370_documents/370_documents_yanmar/Yanmar_SD20_50_OM_English.pdf Downloading is just the first step, you are expected to read the darned thing as well! In page 41 of 76 you can see the answer to your question: "YES" -you can use the drain plug. No need to use a pump. If you are interested in the well-being of your boat, try to read a little more of the gold-nuggets on "wesailhanse.se". Look at the Service Bulletins from Yanmar for example. Did you know, that the dipstick on some SD50s have faulty markings? (Overfill can ruin your saildrive). Did you know that there are rules for the use of biodiesel? ...................The search function here on myhanse is another place to find wisdom. In the abovementioned Operation Manual there are recommendations to use GL 5 just as you like, but if you try to search this forum about it, the advice is to use GL4, never GL5. The Quicksilver oil may be GL4, but if it says "exceeds GL4 spec." I would not use it. I have searched the net for technical specications of the Quicksilver, but no luck there. Update: Check the post under this If you look at it like an engineer, you should expect the Quicksilver to be GL5, because it is recommended to new huge outboard engines. The GL4 is an outdated oil, and the only reason that it should be used on Yanmar SD50, is that the SD50 is an outdated saildrive as well, with sensitive yellow metals inside. Edited by Captain Cook - 23 February 2020 at 19:20
	Freya H400 #27 (2006),2-cabin, 40HP 3JH4E, 3-blade Flexofold, Aries LiftUp Windvane, Exturn 300, Jefa DD1,Simrad NX40,Icom M603(VHF)+M802(SSB)

alettaenmarcel Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Admiral Joined: 15 August 2006 Location: Netherlands Status: Offline Points: 1246	Post Options Post Reply Quote alettaenmarcel Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 23 February 2020 at 19:01
	today I looked at the quicksilver gear oil botle. It says Meets API GL-4 This is what it has to be according Yanmar service. Edited by alettaenmarcel - 23 February 2020 at 19:05
	Kids Dingys 72-79 ,Several Windsurfboards 79-86 OK dingy competitions 86-92 , Trotter Pandora Race 92-98, Friendship 28 Sport 98-05, Hanse 370 06-......

StavrosNZ Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Rear Admiral Joined: 24 October 2014 Location: New Zealand Status: Offline Points: 581	Post Options Post Reply Quote StavrosNZ Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 25 February 2020 at 03:11
	If you vent the saildrive gearbox it doesn't mater what dipstick you have or if its slightly overfilled as any pressure is relieved. Packaging for quicksilver seems to vary market to market, here down-under it says suitable for GL-4 it doesn't say it is actually GL-4. I take no risk and use what actually states GL-4 not anything else.
	Stephen 2010 H400 #691, Auckland, New Zealand

Angelina Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Lieutenant Joined: 10 August 2019 Location: Far Status: Offline Points: 23	Post Options Post Reply Quote Angelina Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 27 February 2020 at 21:42
	Okay guys. I have quicksilver GL 4. But your arguments make sense. Now then what do we use for the SD50. Should be W 90? So which oil do i use? Best Gordon

Angelina Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Lieutenant Joined: 10 August 2019 Location: Far Status: Offline Points: 23	Post Options Post Reply Quote Angelina Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 27 February 2020 at 21:46
	It is not easy nowdays. All oils always state exceeding standards of for instance GL 4

StavrosNZ Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Rear Admiral Joined: 24 October 2014 Location: New Zealand Status: Offline Points: 581	Post Options Post Reply Quote StavrosNZ Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 28 February 2020 at 01:51
	As stated in many of my posts I use Mercury High Performance Gear Lube SAE90 which is clearly stated as being GL-4 only and has emulsifiers added to ensure any salt water contamination will emulsify properly. In my part of the work Quicksilver says it meets GL-4 but doesn't say its only GL-4 so i dont use it. Edited by StavrosNZ - 28 February 2020 at 01:52
	Stephen 2010 H400 #691, Auckland, New Zealand

Captain Cook Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Admiral Joined: 23 May 2006 Location: Denmark Status: Offline Points: 1245	Post Options Post Reply Quote Captain Cook Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 28 February 2020 at 13:36
	Hi Gordon (Angelina) In the Hong Kong climate I would use a heavy oil like SAE 90, but here in Scandinavia the climate is in the cold end, so I use "Castrol Manual EP 80W" (GL4/SAE80). I see that you have not added any information to your profile, it is rather simple: Just beneath "Forum Home" in the top left of this page it says "Member Control Panel", click there and choose "Edit Profile". :Kjeld P.S. What is the status with the overheated engine? Did you change the thermostat? Edited by Captain Cook - 28 February 2020 at 13:44
	Freya H400 #27 (2006),2-cabin, 40HP 3JH4E, 3-blade Flexofold, Aries LiftUp Windvane, Exturn 300, Jefa DD1,Simrad NX40,Icom M603(VHF)+M802(SSB)



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