Oil drip from lower unit, bad or normal?

[Realdon]

Okay, I have a 375-V Ranger with a 1993 150hp Mercury XR6 pushing it. I haven't had the boat in the water yet this year but I did run it on cuffs in the driveway and all seemed well. After running it I put it back in my shop and about a week later noticed a very few drops of black oil on the floor under the lower unit. Inspection shows me that the drips are coming from where the prop connects to the lower unit (see attachment). If I pull the prop back and forth I find that there is approximately .030" of play in it. This play is not because the nut is loose because the nut moves in and out with the play.

Basically, I want to know if I should be concerned about the very limited drops of oil that is leaking and/or the play in the prop thus your comments would definitely be appreciated.

Cheers,

Don

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: Oil drip from lower unit, bad or normal?

Totally normal .............. it is un-burned oil

 

[ricohman]

Re: Oil drip from lower unit, bad or normal?

My old 80hp merc did the same thing. And it was never low on leg oil or had contaminated leg oil.

 

[Texasmark]

Re: Oil drip from lower unit, bad or normal?

The movement is normal too. If you want me to explain it to you I will, but you have to have it for your engine/prop relationship to function properly in F gear.

Mark

 

[Realdon]

Re: Oil drip from lower unit, bad or normal?

The movement is normal too. If you want me to explain it to you I will, but you have to have it for your engine/prop relationship to function properly in F gear.

Mark

No need to explain. As long as the engine and prop have a good relationship with the "F" gear I am happy.

Thanks everyone,

Don

 

[5150abf]

Re: Oil drip from lower unit, bad or normal?

I will third that, both are normal but now that you are worried about your lower unit when was the last time you changed the oil, if it has been more than a year now would be a really good time.

It is good to change it at least once a year to keep an eye on the lower seals, if you start seeing milky looking oil you know it is time for a seal kit and a $10 oil change could save you $1500++ on having to get a new lower.