Lower unit hole, should it have a plug??

[carpediem27]

I just bought this motor today and I didn't notice the hole until I got home and oil was coming out. I had checked the lower units oil when I bought it and it looked good(no water). And I ran the motor for about 15 minutes and never noticed any leaks. The engine had sat for a while but appears to be almost never used. I have attached a picture. Is this hole supposed to be plugged or is it a drain and if it is should oil have come out? It almost looks like it used to have threads.

It is a 2001 Mercury 90 Hp.

Thanks in advance.

Also, who makes a good manual for Mercury?

 

[gss036]

Re: Lower unit hole, should it have a plug??

No! Just a drain hole.

 

[carpediem27]

Re: Lower unit hole, should it have a plug??

Thank you, that is what I had assumed, but when I saw the oil and what looked like old threads I had to make sure.

Should I worry about the oil, or is a little normal?

 

[Texasmark]

Re: Lower unit hole, should it have a plug??

No worry. Oil is a product of combustion. This drains the center section of the engine where the exhaust flows out to the prop hub.

Mark