2006 Mercury Outboard 5HP 4-stroke - GREASE LEAK?

[acytoh]

Hi All - it will be tremendously helpful if I can get some help and opinions here ...

I acquired a Mercury 4-stroke 5-HP outboard last year, the owner told me the outboard has very low hours on it. The outboard looks like it is in a great shape.

After I ran this motor on the river for the first time, I noticed that there is a slight grease came out between the joint in the middle of the outboard. (See the attachments)

I brought this outboard to a local boat repair shop for check up, the mechanic told me it's an easy fix, he said he will just regrease it, change gear oil, engine oil, and spark plug and it should be good to go. He didn't charge me much, $75.

Fast forward - it is now two months since I brought this outboard to the shop to get it serviced. The leak on the grease was the same like before but it was not as bad, but now it seems like it has gotten a bit worse. Also - the outboard is very hot after I run it for like 15 mins or so on the river (normal?)

Does it look normal to anyone? Is that something that I just need to regrease the outboard? Can it be an easy fix by myself?

I'm not very handy when it comes to outboard, but I will definitely try to fix it myself if at all possible.

 

[acytoh]

Sorry, these are the images

 

[acytoh]

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[ondarvr]

Looks like fuel leaking from the carb is running down the side of the motor and dissolving some grease.

 

[km1125]

The only thing that grease does is lubricate the collar where the engine pivots when you turn. Just wipe it off.

How hot does it get? Do you have a good stream of water out the tell-tale?

Here's a parts diagram so you can see what is inside. Parts 20 and 23 are labelled "Thrust Bushings".

 

[tpenfield]

I wish I could get that much grease to come out of the lower pivot of my Mercury

Towel to wipe the grease and it should be fine.

 

[SOG3]

Looks like the pivot was over greased and it's working it's way out .

 

[acytoh]

Awesome guys! Thanks for all the input. I feel so much better now knowing it is not anything bad that is happening to my outboard. I was very close to bring this outboard back to other shop to get it checked up.

@km1225 - Thanks for the diagram. Yes, it does have a stream of water comes out. The hotness of the outboard is hot , but NOT to the point that I can't put my palm on the outboard cover.

 

[ondarvr]

One other thing that can cause that is using a grease with a different base than what was in there from Merc. Mixing grease types can cause them to lose viscosity and begin to drain out.