Oil leaking from Prop

[duckinit]

I have a small amount of oil leaking out of the bottom of my motor by the prop. I recently changed out my water pump and was going to remove my prop and get it repaired because I hit a stump and knocked a small piece out of it. When I went to remove it I got the prop nut off fine but was not able to remove the prop itself. I drained and replaced the lower unit oil and even after this there was a small amount of oil that leaked without ever running the engine. I dropped the lower unit again and the area arounf the wter pump is dry so no leak there. I had not noticed the leak before now, not saying that it never leaked. I see in my repair manual that there is a zinc anode ring, an o-ring and a seal behind the thrust hub. Is it possible that this went bad by me trying to remove the prop? If so where is the best place for me to purchase this? I looked at I iboats and did not see these parts in their parts finder. BTW my motor is a 1977 Mercury model 200, 20HP. What is the best way for me to remove the prop if it is froze to the shaft. I have seen that heating the propellor by the shaft might be the only way. Thanks to anyone that helps.

 

[dolluper]

Re: Oil leaking from Prop

sorry if it's frozen heat is the only way and melt the rubber but BE VERY CAREFULL !!!! it may fly out in your face ,also it will be toast,try boatfix.com lots of merc parts

 

[Keith Buchanan]

Re: Oil leaking from Prop

Getting the prop off is the least of your worries, if it comes to it you can cut it off..............................................<br /><br />The real issue is how lube is escaping your lower unit..............................................<br />How hard did you hit your prop ?. Firstly check you haven't knocked your prop shaft out of true. Not expecting you to have a dial guage but does your prop shaft centre appear to run true when you rotate your prop by hand. If there is any visible eccentricity you have surely shagged the oil seal. The only way up is have the bent article straightened and as a matter of course all relevent seals and gaskets.<br /><br />All the best and keep posting...<br /><br />Keith B.....Sunny Blackpool and the cod are here....

 

[andrewkafp]

Re: Oil leaking from Prop

Before you start cutting.. make sure it's in fact gear oil (Pungeant smell) not unburnt 2 stroke from the exhaust dripping out of the prop. This is common with motors that are sitting for a while. Is there signs of water in the oil ?

 

[andrewkafp]

Re: Oil leaking from Prop

Sorry.. duplicate post.

 

[duckinit]

Re: Oil leaking from Prop

The prop seems to be turninp properly. Yes the oil was a bit milky, but it has literally been 4 or 5 years since this has been changed - I just got put in charge of the maintence of this motor. I hit the stup about 2 years ago, but not real hard. The prop is the original prop for 1977 so it has seem better days. I saw just a few drops of oil right after I change the lower unit oil, but none since. I am running the motor today to see if that loosens any more oil up. How big of a job is it to replace the prop and all the seals if I need to do it or should I support the local marine machinic to do this. I am faily mechanical minded.

 

[Jeff Walkowiak]

Re: Oil leaking from Prop

This will not help you now, but in the future. when you do replace your prop go buy a base ring for a toilet from home depo,, this is bees wax. place the wax all over the prop shaft, water will not remove it like it removes grease. the prop will come off with no problem no matter how long it is on the engine.it also works wonders on your water pump impeller as it will always stay on the blades and shaft so you will not wear out the pump during long ideling periods, its a really good and inexpensive way to prevent things from seizing up.

 

[duckinit]

Re: Oil leaking from Prop

Good to know. I will keep posted what I find with the run today.