Oil dripping from prop exhaust

[4DaughterMan]

Hi, I have been running my '92 40 HP evinrude about once per week to go duck hunting. I always lower the unit and drain it and give it a couple of quick starts to drain it and then when I get home do one quick start and lower the unit for storage. It has been really cold and I went to charge the batteries for tomorrow's trip and noticed thick black oil coming from the exhaust area of the prop. Do you think this is lower unit oil or just oil from exhaust build up. It is pretty black. Thanks for help.

 

[steelespike]

Re: Oil dripping from prop exhaust

Most likely it is exhaust residue.It should smell more like gas than lower unit lube.
You will shorten the life of your impeller if you keep starting out of water.If you are just cranking and not running your probably ok.If you let it drain in the upright position that is all that is necessary.Store with the motor upright.If you have freezing weather you may want to check that there is no water in the lower unit.

 

[Scaaty]

Re: Oil dripping from prop exhaust

Agreed, and you accomplish ZERO doing this
couple of quick starts to drain it
It pushes nothing out, just picks up what was left in the lower and puts it back upstairs. And yes, you are just trashing the impeller.

 

[4DaughterMan]

Re: Oil dripping from prop exhaust

Most likely it is exhaust residue.It should smell more like gas than lower unit lube.
You will shorten the life of your impeller if you keep starting out of water.If you are just cranking and not running your probably ok.If you let it drain in the upright position that is all that is necessary.Store with the motor upright.If you have freezing weather you may want to check that there is no water in the lower unit.

Thanks for the response and advice.

Yes, I checked and it does smell like gas.

How do you check that there is no water in the lower unit? By replacing the oil and inspecting?

I did more idling than ususal on the last trip and maybe that had something to do with it.

 

[kenmyfam]

Re: Oil dripping from prop exhaust

Most likely it is exhaust residue.It should smell more like gas than lower unit lube.
You will shorten the life of your impeller if you keep starting out of water.If you are just cranking and not running your probably ok.If you let it drain in the upright position that is all that is necessary.Store with the motor upright.If you have freezing weather you may want to check that there is no water in the lower unit.

Thanks for the response and advice.

Yes, I checked and it does smell like gas.

How do you check that there is no water in the lower unit? By replacing the oil and inspecting?

I did more idling than ususal on the last trip and maybe that had something to do with it.

Only way I know how to check the lower umit is to drain it. Should replace it anyway so you don't crack anything in the colder weather.