oil leak on 1990 Evinrude 115 hp

[hnewton]

I just noticed a small puddle of oil seeping from prop shaft area. I am hoping it is because it turned cold and the boat has not been in use for a while. I plan to start and run it in gear for a few minutes to see if it helps. If not.................can I replace the two prop shaft seals without pulling the bearing carrier. After looking at the schematic it seems like I should be able to

9or hope so anyway. Any ideas?

Thanks

 

[emdsapmgr]

If the oil is a clearish color, either green or amber-the oil is from the lower unit. You should drain some of the oil out of the lower to see if it is contaminated. That could be the sign of a problem. If the oil is black and looks like tar-that is exhaust residue from the midsection. Nothing to worry about-normal on a 2 stroke. You will need to pull the prop bearing carrier in order to replace the two propshaft seals. They go in back-to-back and must be installed carefully so that the seal lips are not damaged during installation.

 

[Vic.S]

For more detail on "Oil leaking around the lower unit" see this item from the Engine FAQs board http://forums.iboats.com/forum/engi...2616-oil-leaking-around-lower-unit-by-iwombat

 

[hnewton]

Ok thanks. It has a greenish hue but shows no signs of water contamination. Just started seeping for no apparent reason after siting with the engine in the vertical position. Guess it's time to pull it apart. Thanks. Are there only the 2 prop seals to replace if I pull the carrier?

 

[emdsapmgr]

When the lower unit starts to leak it could be any of the seals in the gearcase: (2) propshaft seals, the carrier O-ring, the rubber orings on the 4 carrier bolts, the driveshaft seal, the shift shaft seal, the shift shaft cover seal.....also, the two gearcase washers around the two (drain/vent) bolts. A Marine dealership will do a vacuum and a pressure test on the lower unit. That confirms that there is a leak.

 

[metriccrescentwrench]

Ok thanks. It has a greenish hue but shows no signs of water contamination.....

Before tearing into the lower unit I'd make darned sure that it's in fact gearcase oil you're seeing. Drain a bit of oil from the gearcase and compare that to what you're seeing. Since you say that it's green I'm wondering if you're seeing some unburnt fuel/oil mixture that's accumulated in the cowl and managed to drip out.

 

[hnewton]

Sorry for late response, I just got around to checking after the leak stopped. The gearcase is full!! Time to fire it up and look for fuel leaks on he power head. Saw a lot of residual oil all over bottom cover and engine. Thanks for idea. I just assumed the worst and overlooked the obvious. It is 85 today and time to hit the water.

 

[Bosunsmate]

Check your plugs. If none are excessively oily then id go with what mr wrench wisely said

 

[boobie]

For piece of mind have the lower unit pressure and vacuum checked. That's the only way to go.

 

[Watermann]

Fuel leaks can be just what drains out of the carbs just from tilting the motor. Check to make sure the drain hose going from the bottom of the airbox to the powerhead is connected and in good shape. The airbox itself will leak too and rather than seal the 2 halves with a paper gasket clean it well and then use black gasket maker.

 

[oldboat1]

pressure and vacuum testing like Boobie describes is pretty easy to do yourself, with a minimum of equipment. A simple test at the leak is the smell test -- scoop up a little of the stuff on your finger, and smell it. If it smells like gas, it's probably unburned fuel. If it has a distinct sulphur smell, suspect gear oil.