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If the noise is coming from the drive trim pump, and sounds like a "Squeak" or "Squeal' while the trim electrical motor is running, this would be normal....Check the oil with the drive all the way down and the oil to use is 20w engine oil. The reservoir is located under the pump that is making the noise.
The reservoir located towards the front of the engine and near the top of the engine is the "Drive Gear Oil Monitor Reservoir" the oil in this small square bottle is "Outdrive Gear Oil", fill when the engine is not running and has been stored for a few hours. There is a line about 3/4 of the way up the side on a sticker (If it didn't Fall Off) to tell the full mark...
What the manual says, is how to check the fluid, what fluid to use, and it informs you that if the alarm sounds on the dash, check this reservoir along with the temp and engine oil pressure gauges to determine what the alarm is about....
"Boat Outdrive Gear Oil" can be purchased at any boat repair facility... Mercruiser's brand name is Quicksilver, and I have seen it at Wal Mart, and Many auto Parts Houses....
Is the reservoir you speak of a metal one with a short dipstick on it and a belt pulley directly in front of it....If so this is the power steering pump reservoir and this oil is available from any auto parts house and is Automatic transmission fluid (Mercon/Dextron) check this reservoir with the engine not running and fill to the mark on the dip stick
Marine Mechanic
21 Years Experience as Mechanic, 18 Yrs Boat Yard Owner/Mechanic, Factory Certified
I wonder if someone painted it black... the drive oil monitor bottle is opaque white from the factory and has a small float inside of it....
It could be possible that the plastic is stained by the oil I suppose, but at any rate the bottle should have a rubber hose attached to the bottom (Just One hose)...and two wires for the float switch...
Do you have a serial number....of the engine....