Lower Unit Leak / Slight Water 1996 Mercury 150 EFI

[montanafos]

First time I've seen this with my outboard (1996 Merc 150 EFI). Back home from a few days (10 hours of run time max) and after a day of sitting in the driveway I noticed gear oil leaking from the small vent / hole just forward of the upper drain screw. Was enough of a leak to puddle on transom saver and then on the ground a bit. Drained the lower unit (this lube has 20 hours on it max over 6 days total). A bit of water came out of the lower drain first (about a tsp) and then the gear lube in the quart jar. Would love any thoughts as to what I might be getting in to. Would love to hear that the drain / fill screws just need new gaskets...but the lube coming from the hole leads me to believe it's more than that. I've attached a few pics. We only have a couple local shops I'd take my outboard to and they're booked out a ways. Is this potentially a fill it again and run for a few days and I'll be ok? There's maybe one more trip this fall and I'll get it worked on and or winterized until someone can work on it.

Appreciate any insight...

 

[savetexomabeaches]

You are correct that its more than a drain screw gasket. Its an oil seal that is bad. Kits are about 45.00 -- Personally I wouldn't run it til I got it fixed.

 

[Dukedog]

looks ta be shift shaft seal..... not to hard ta fix but ya gotta know what ya doin' or it could turn sour........ make sure tha "shaft doesn't move up" any at all when removing and replacing.. keep down pressure on it (shaft) at all times when screwin it out and screwin' it in.

 

[montanafos]

Much appreciate the replies. You've confirmed what some searching led me to believe might be happening. I'll get the LU worked on before putting it back in the water. Would the general recommendation be to replace all seals while it's apart since this could very well be the first go with them? Motor had 100 hours or so when I bought it as it was on a bass boat that had been relocated to restricted waters by the original owner. I've put maybe 50 hours on it personally. I'd just as soon do this right once versus having to revisit the lower. I did have the water pump replaced when I bought the outboard purely as I felt it made sense to do so.

Thanks again...

 

[Dukedog]

it needs ta be pressure tested before anything is touched.. that seal doesn't require gear case breakdown.. should show any other leaks if any.. then its up to you ($$$) how much is done if nothin' else shows NOT to be bad..................