E6RCOB leaks when upended?

[cprodave]

During recent move to anot6 state my 1985 6HP Evinrude laid tiller side down in my SUV for about 3 days. The powehead was slightly higher than lower unit. As I removed this outboard from my SUV, first I rotated it to be Pull Starter/tiller upward, and I may have lifted the lower unit slightly above power head. I noticed some gear oil dripping out of the screened Water Intake area.

Is this normal or does this indicate a bad seal in Lower Unit? If bad seal, which one(s) would it likely be?

I recently replaced the Gearcase Housing (old housing cracked by previous owner) on this outboard including all new seals, but haven't water tested enough (only ran about 15 minutes on my skiff in saltwater) to conclude whether my Lower Unit rebuild was successful.

Any input would be appreciated.

 

[cprodave]

Typo error "another state".

I also forgot to mention that the Lower Unit is not leaking gear oil now that outboard has been vertical on an engine stand for about 24 hours.

 

[racerone]

Pressure test the gear case.------Did you install 2 O-rings on the shift rod ?-----You are 100% sure it was gear oil ?

 

[oldboat1]

Hint: gear oils smells like sulphur, not gas.

 

[cprodave]

Yes, 100% sure it was gear oil, not fuel mixture. Identified as gear oil by the smell, color, feel (viscosity) and fact that it had not evaporated nearly 24 hours later.

It might take me a week or so (moving van just left--our house is packed ceiling high with moving boxes) to double check for 2 o-rings on the Shift Rod. I will update after I check.

Thanks for the input...

 

[cprodave]

I double-checked that there are in fact 2 O-rings present on the Shift Rod. The leak is around the Drive Shaft. Checking the list of parts that I have ordered for various motors over the past couple months I don't see any Drive Shaft Seals p/n 324639 were ordered--so I must have reused the old seals. A couple questions:

1) Other than the Drive Shaft Seals (2 required) is there any other component that could likely cause a leak around the Drive Shaft (that allows Gear Oil to seep out the Water Intake when engine is laid horizontally)? I still don't have my redneck Pressure Tester unpacked from our physical home move.
2) Is a Lower Unit Seal Kit offered for this outboard? If so what is the p/n?

Thanks All.

 

[oldboat1]

Believe seals would be the only safeguard. Seals are put in back to back, spring sides facing out both top and bottom -- keeps oil from leaking out, and water from leaking in.

Order the seals. Might just as well replace the drain plug washers while you are at it.

 

[cprodave]

Oldboat, thanks for the input including rationale why there are 2 seals (as shown in exploded diagrams). I guess the good news is that I don't need a full Lower Unit Seal Kit (because thus far only the Drive Shaft area seems to be leaking).

I will order new seals plus a couple drain plug washers too--those are always handy to have around.