1990 120Hp force leaking lower end oil from small hole?

[Netjunky]

My lower end on my 1990 120HP force outboard is leaking oil from a small hole about the height of the prop but on the bow side of the lower end (opposite to the prop). The hole looks to be about 1/8 of an inch wide. I have the motor tilted up fully and the oil is draining slowly from this hole. Definitely lower end oil. Any ideas? I would guess I have a gasket blown somewhere....

 

[Netjunky]

Re: 1990 120Hp force leaking lower end oil from small hole?

**BUMP** added a picture...

 

[CapCramer]

Re: 1990 120Hp force leaking lower end oil from small hole?

That hole you speak of is part of the pitot tube for the speedo. I would think that while you have the LU off I assume you are gonna replace impeller and other gaskets that this would be visible as a channel cast in the LU. So look for that channel or passageway where it would meet the lower leg. I had to clean mine out, it was full of mud and salt. I don't think the LU would be cracked to allow gear oil to leak into this passage, but stranger things have happened, so maybe someone else will jump in.

 

[Netjunky]

Re: 1990 120Hp force leaking lower end oil from small hole?

That hole you speak of is part of the pitot tube for the speedo. I would think that while you have the LU off I assume you are gonna replace impeller and other gaskets that this would be visible as a channel cast in the LU. So look for that channel or passageway where it would meet the lower leg. I had to clean mine out, it was full of mud and salt. I don't think the LU would be cracked to allow gear oil to leak into this passage, but stranger things have happened, so maybe someone else will jump in.

I have the motor tilted in the trailering position and so the oil is leaking from this hole. I was thinking that the lower unit gear cover oil seals might be gone. If they are then the 45 degree angle that the lower end is on might allow the oil to leak down and out this area? I hope it is not cracked!!

 

[CapCramer]

Re: 1990 120Hp force leaking lower end oil from small hole?

There is no connection between the two systems that I know of. Take the rubber tube off the leg that runs to the speedo and use an air gun with a rubber tip to blow air to see if its clear, blow from that hole youre talking about and blow it out thru the top where the rubber hose meets after you slip it off . Are you sure its not running down the side of the LU and making it look like its coming out of this passage?

 

[Netjunky]

Re: 1990 120Hp force leaking lower end oil from small hole?

There is no connection between the two systems that I know of. Take the rubber tube off the leg that runs to the speedo and use an air gun with a rubber tip to blow air to see if its clear, blow from that hole youre talking about and blow it out thru the top where the rubber hose meets after you slip it off . Are you sure its not running down the side of the LU and making it look like its coming out of this passage?

My 1990 Bayliner Model 2002 has a separate pickup for the speedo. I didn't know that these outboards had a hole on the lower end for the speedo? It is a dual exhaust lower unit. I'm going to take the lower unit off when I get a chance and see if I can find out where the leak is coming from.

 

[Netjunky]

Re: 1990 120Hp force leaking lower end oil from small hole?

I took the lower unit off and discovered the Shift rod seal leaking and it is
also missing a Shift seal retainer. The oil was leaking down from there and out the small hole. The hidden lower unit bolt inside the exhaust snout is also missing...some parts to order. When I take the gear housing off do I need to replace any other seals or are they reuseable? Anyone take this off before?