86 Merc 50Hp Fluid Leak

[This_lil_fishy]

Before I pull the lower unit apart, just curious if these motors have an overflow for the gear oil? I just changed the lower unit fluid prior to the last run of the year, and ran all day in very rough water. Everything seemed fine all day, other then a bit of a docking error (ran aground in sand) at the end of the day. I guess the rough water wore me out a bit...ah...a lot.

Anyhow I brought the boat home, and put it away for the season. A few days later I noticed fluid had dripped down the skeg, not enough to pool anywhere (didn't see any drops anywhere on the floor) and the fluid was not milky on the skeg. So my question is, is it possible I overfilled the lower unit and it collected somewhere and then dripped out, or do I need to replace the prop seals (likely should be done any).

Second question, how hard it is it to replace those seals? I haven't even pulled the prop (which was also replaced prior to the last run) yet. I'm looking at a new boat, so am deciding whether to fix it or not.

Ian

 

[Yepblaze]

Re: 86 Merc 50Hp Fluid Leak

Most all 2 stroke motors will exude some unburnt oils in the process of operation. More so for motors used at low speed or in a poor state of tune. These oils will collect between the powerhead section and the lower unit along the inner walls of the midsection. After the motor is brought home and allowed to set the oils will slowly find their way out of the lower unit, either from a small pin hole drain near the top of the lower unit's bulb end or out around the propeller.

It, many times can be considered normal.

Generally I have found that a motor run hard will have less chance of doing this.

 

[DJ]

Re: 86 Merc 50Hp Fluid Leak

I doubt it's gear oil, as suggested.

 

[This_lil_fishy]

Re: 86 Merc 50Hp Fluid Leak

I'll double check it tommorow after work, get it pulled apart. I was going to change the water pump anyhow before spring. Just didn't want to get into a complete tear down before selling it. Such is life.

EDIT: Now that I am thinking of it, although I ran it pretty hard all day, I did sit at idle for a good 20-30mins waiting at the ramp for my turn. Salmon runs always make that place a mad house. As stated, I'll pull the prop and inspect the oil for consistancy. On the skeg it looked a LOT like gear oil..very thick run down the skeg with a golden drop on the tip.


Ian