Engine leaking oil, but not from gear case

[eidenb]

When I was winterizing my boat, I ran my motor('96 2 stroke 60hp Merc) with a garden hose hooked up. when I turned the engine and the garden hose off, I let it sit for a while. When I came back, there was an oil leak on the drive way. I thought it was the gear case, but when I emptied the gear case, it was full. Any suggestion on where the oil came from?

 

[NelsonQ]

Re: Engine leaking oil, but not from gear case

Was it an oil leak or an oily film in the water that had run down the driveway.

Could possibly be some unburned oil from the exhaust (to much oil in the mix?)

Other possibility. Did you have the engine tilted up? Not uncommon for the Mercs/Mariners to leak oil/fuel mix when tilted.

Did you already change the L/U oil? Was the oil you saw clear or colored?

 

[eidenb]

Re: Engine leaking oil, but not from gear case

it was a puddle of oil. It looked like gear oil.

 

[NelsonQ]

Re: Engine leaking oil, but not from gear case

it was a puddle of oil. It looked like gear oil.

If it was clear as gear oil is new, check the gaskets around the drain and vent plugs. I'd assume you'd see oil running down the lower unit if it was the vent hole or down the skeg if it were the drain plug.

If not, possibly the prop shaft seal is the next place I'd look

 

[eidenb]

Re: Engine leaking oil, but not from gear case

thanks,
when I drained the lower unit, it was full. Is there another place where a lot of oil could leak from?

 

[NelsonQ]

Re: Engine leaking oil, but not from gear case

If not the plugs, I'd have a good look at the prop shaft seal I mentioned. Most likely the next usual suspect

 

[jimg984]

Re: Engine leaking oil, but not from gear case

would suspect the small hose from the bottom to top bearing (don't know your year motor) on some older models oil collects and the bottom and is transferred to top bearing i had this problem on a 1978 115 HP it had been sitting outside alot and the heat from sun on that black cover rotted the small hose

 

[nomad111]

Re: Engine leaking oil, but not from gear case

Hmmmm, I was about to post the same issue. I have a 110 Tracker, and I winterized it last night, woke up this morning and there was a small puddle of oil, dark in color, seems as though the popular cause could be the prop seal then? I have not had this issue before now. I had the motor down all the way to allow any access water to drain.

Follow up.....After I posted this last I went to move my boat.....lifted the motor and oil began coming out of the "weep hole" on the boat side of the lower unit, same oil as previous, dark color.......anyone??

Thanks