Re: exhaust leak
BadWrench.... The housing between the powerhead and the lower unit is called the exhaust housing. Within that housing is a inner housing. Between the two housings is water. Within the inner housing is of course red hot exhaust.<br /><br />At the bottom of the inner housing is a rubber seal. Between the lower unit and the exhaust housings is what is called an exhaust extension housingsc. There is a rubber seal on the top and bottom of that extension.<br /><br />If one of those seals were bad, or if someone forgot to install the extension housing (it happens), it would be possible that exhaust pressure/fumes could travel up the driveshaft tube to the area you mention.<br /><br />It is also possible to have the gasket that the powerhead sits upon fail in the area between the exhaust chamber and the top motor mount area. That would let exhaust pressure/fumes escape into the mount area and out that same area.
