Mercury 1000 pinhole leaks fluid

[bh357]

I recently acquired a ~1963 Mercury 1000. It was transported laying down in the back of a pickup, and didn't leak any lower unit lube during transit. When we pulled it out of the truck and put it on the stand, we noticed that it was leaking lube out of a pinhole in the lower unit. A day later, the leak basically stopped. The pinhole is located at the top left hand side of the "bullet" towards the front. The pinhole also looks round, almost like it was drilled there. Is this something to be concerned with, or did lube just get somewhere where it shouldn't be due to being laid down? I don't have a service manual yet, but plan on purchasing one in the "very" near future. Thanks in advance.

 

[NEECAPRS]

Re: Mercury 1000 pinhole leaks fluid

bh: Mine did that too with the hole in the same place. I never pursued the right answer like you're doing. I just assumed it was corrosion from the inside. The motor was in salt water for four years before I bought it. That's where any water that leaked into the lower unit would accumulate when the motor is stowed, tipped up, out of the water.I made an elegant, high tech fix with a piece of black electrical tape!

 

[Kenny Bush]

Re: Mercury 1000 pinhole leaks fluid

JB weld would work too.......

 

[corm]

Re: Mercury 1000 pinhole leaks fluid

It sounds to me like your shift shaft seal is leaking oil. The hole is manufactured in the housing to drain water from the lower unit. After running the motor you may see a milky brown liquid comming from the hole, which is unburnt oil from inside the motor(normal). How ever if the oil is clear it probably is oil from your Lower Unit which is not good. I would check the LU oil to see if there is water in it and to make sure it is full.