Lower unit leaking after power washing!??

[Gary Allen2004]

Hi everyone,<br /> I have a strange problem with my 1976 90hp Chrysler outboard. I recently took it out of winter storage, and dutifully cleaned the boat and performed all maintenance. I noticed the lower unit was looking kind of tired, so I power washed it. Came out nice. Problem is, now lower unit oil is running out the vent hole, next to the top "FILL" screw. The hole looks to be about 1/8" across. It has been leaking (dripping) for about 2 days. Finally, I drained all the oil out of the unit, and some water came out. How did this happen. I have used this all last year with no problem, or leaking. I am thinking that somehow in my ferver to clean the unit I forced some water into the lower unit, and the oil floated(was forced) out the vent hole. The oil that came out was not milky or contaminated, so, what do you think happened???? This is the only place it is dripping out, and I know it started immed. after pressure washing.

 

[scotiany]

Re: Lower unit leaking after power washing!??

You could have a worn drive shaft or shifter seal in the LU. Both are not hard to replace and available at NAPA.

 

[Realgun]

Re: Lower unit leaking after power washing!??

There should be a screw in that hole. looks like you lost it. The fill screw is the same size.<br /><br />I would replace the screw(vent) and BOTH(2) seals that go under those screws! 1 screw 1 seal.

 

[Gary Allen2004]

Re: Lower unit leaking after power washing!??

Thanks RealGun and Scotiany<br /> BTW _ NICE Boat Realgun......<br /><br />I probably did not word the topic properly, I have BOTH the fill and drain screws, with the washers like new. The oil is dripping from the vent hole (1/8" in diameter about 1.5" to the right(bow end of the boat forward) NEXT to the Fill hole. If I put about 5 psi of air in the hole, I can feel it come out the exhaust snout. Thanks for all the replies guys, I appreciate it.

 

[WillyBWright]

Re: Lower unit leaking after power washing!??

That's just a cavity drain to let puddled water out. The oil could be from a bad shiftshaft or driveshaft seal. They're both up in that area. My money is on the shiftshaft seal. Any takers?

 

[Scaaty]

Re: Lower unit leaking after power washing!??

shiftshaft seal. Any takers?<br />Yep, agreed.......<br />But if its a tiny bit, don't sweat it. If the oil stays non-milky, and doesn't lose much, just use it.

 

[Gary Allen2004]

Re: Lower unit leaking after power washing!??

I removed the lower unit, and all it was, was oil in a puddle on the top of the lower unit. When I hit it with the water, the water filled the void, and pushed the oil out. It may be 2 cycle oil that just puddled there. Now - if I can just locate the new impeller - Sierra tech rep said they do not MAKE a replacement imp for this motor, but gave me a Merc # to replace it with - oh joy!

 

[jvb]

Re: Lower unit leaking after power washing!??

i noticed that when i have a bit too much oil mixed in, i tend to get a little black oil leakage out of the vent. when mixed at 50:1, nothing comes out. somebody told me the leakage was just unused oil and nothing to worry about. but with my luck lately, it could mean the power head is about to explode

 

[eurolarva]

Re: Lower unit leaking after power washing!??

Chryslers are notorious about unburned gas and oil dripping out that hole. If in doubt take a whiff of it. No mistaking that nasty smell of lower unit oil. If it smells like gas it is unburned oil and gas. If this gets worse you may want to consider doing a decarb and possibly cleaning the puddle valves. Older chryslers did not have recirculation systems. Condensed gas and oil were sent into the lake via a drain hose. I disconnected mine and have a small plastic bottle collecting it outside my motor. I guess I loose about 2 tablespoons of gas each time I go out. I would rather dump the gas on shore then into the lake. Kind of embarrasing leaving a gas trail where ever I go.

 

[Gary Allen2004]

Re: Lower unit leaking after power washing!??

You nailed it JVB !!<br /> It all makes sense to me now!! Last summer at the end of the season, after rebuilding the motor, I had it to the lake 3 times. Twice to slowly break the engine and new rings in, and once to destroy the prop (but that's a diffrent thread). When I took it out I read in the manual you should DOUBLE the fuel mixture while breaking in, which is what I did. Prob. the excess oil drained down in the cowling leg and collected in a cavity at the top of the lower unit. It sat there until I washed the motor, in which case the water was forced into the weep hole and displaced the oil - Bravo !! I forgot all about the mixture until I read your post. Thanks for the reply !!