oil leaking from prop

[mtblackdog]

I went out to the shop today and I noticed and oil/grease leak out of my prop running down my skeg my motor as been in the down position this winter in the shop but it still has gotten well below zero here. It isnt alot of oil maybe 3 or 4 ounces. Any ideas, also right at the end of the year I change out all my lower unit grease, and it hasnt been run since, this oil is real black. I guess you can tell Im not a mechanic and have never tore into the lower unit before any help would be great. Oh by the way it a 1991 90 horse Johnson with very low hours on it. Jamie

 

[OBJ]

Re: oil leaking from prop

Not to worry Jamie.....just unburned exhaust oil leeching down outta' the exhaust. Smell it next time you go by. It'll smell like burnt fuel/oil mix and be thick and nasty to touch.....

 

[mikeyzx2]

Re: oil leaking from prop

Be careful it could be a byproduct of the whale sperm oil!!!

 

[DHPMARINE]

Re: oil leaking from prop

Happy Whales ?<br /><br />DHP

 

[Vantoo]

Re: oil leaking from prop

Originally posted by mikeyzx2:<br /> Be careful it could be a byproduct of the whale sperm oil!!!

better wear gloves......<br /><br />but I think it is just unburned exhaust oil....

 

[OBJ]

Re: oil leaking from prop

Don't mind the three guys above Jamie.....they just been smellin' to much gear lube......

 

[mikeyzx2]

Re: oil leaking from prop

I wonder if they could add a FAQ's at the top of page, and start adding some of these topics. I think I've read a hundred or so posts about the black oily stuff. It seems to get asked about quite a bit.<br /><br />EDIT: smelling gear lube combined with cabin fever is making me delirious OBJ!!!

 

[mtblackdog]

Re: oil leaking from prop

Thanks you guys, I am a complete rookie and its nice to be able to ask stupid questions, I tried doing a search and came up with no results. This is my first motorized boat, I have had lots of dory/drift boats here in Montana I am a 12 year veteran flyfishing outfitter, just havent been around putt putt boats since I was a kid, and then the old man took care of them. Thanks again.<br />Jamie

 

[OBJ]

Re: oil leaking from prop

Good idea Mikey! We have a lot of that particular question.<br /><br />If there is anything the forums can do to help Jamie, just post.....lot of good folks here that will help.....long as we can keep them off the gear lube.......

 

[mikeyzx2]

Re: oil leaking from prop

Think of it as oily soot. Typically if it was lube it's be more clear unless it hasn't been changed in a long time. Mine's always got it running down the skeg, probably due to running some Seafoam through it. Might oughtta do the decarb process found in the FAQ'a section on main page. That black carbon can foul up piston rings too. <br /><br />I wonder if the search function is acting up again...you should have gotten something, cause this question does get asked alot, seriously.

 

[mtblackdog]

Re: oil leaking from prop

Thanks, Yep I decarbed it right before I put it in the shop before Christmas, used seafoam as instructed boy did it smoke!

 

[deeep water]

Re: oil leaking from prop

and if your like most of us we run our oil alittle on the heavy side ,just a little

 

[mikeyzx2]

Re: oil leaking from prop

that's good, cause what's leaking out of the prop was once probably around the rings and inside combustion chamber. I need to do a decarb since I've got my engine running right (thanks OBJ for the help)<br /><br />I'm a rookie too, you can see when I registered, but I did poke around here before then though. We like to have a good cackle every now and then, per the reply I added.

 

[Vantoo]

Re: oil leaking from prop

you ask any questions you like. I am still asking "stupid" questions myself..... lots of folks here to help and willing to do so.... <br /><br />70 degrees yesterday and snow and 30 today.... sucks

 

[mikeyzx2]

Re: oil leaking from prop

Me too, I usually start asking the "stupid" questions when I've had enough of the tinkering, tightening, retightening, and retinkering. Just don't ever assume the worst and start tearing things down or throwing parts at it.