Gear lube leak after maintenance?

[JonBoat55]

Boat is winterized and was checking the drive after changing the shift shaft seal this October. Drive was pulled for yearly maintenance. No oil dripping or puddle on the ground. Clearly a very small amount coming out of the upper shift shaft.
Normal? I've never noticed this before after an oil change.

 

[alldodge]

Wouldn't say normal but also not a concern right now. If it doesn't get any worst I might leave it alone. See if you can wait until the next time the impeller is replaced

 

[Bt Doctur]

any oil leaking from that shaft usually indicates a inputshaft seal is leaking oil into the bellow area. Need to pull the drive

 

[2004 searay]

any oil leaking from that shaft usually indicates a inputshaft seal is leaking oil into the bellow area. Need to pull the drive

but if he pulled the drive as he said, wouldnt he see the oil in the bellows?

 

[alldodge]

Might have been a slight bit leak out when installing the drive with the quick connect

 

[JonBoat55]

but if he pulled the drive as he said, wouldnt he see the oil in the bellows?

When I pulled the drive a week before this picture was taken, bellows were dry with no oil, correct

 

[JonBoat55]

Might have been a slight bit leak out when installing the drive with the quick connect

this is what I was thinking/hoping it was, I'll let it sit for the winter and revisit this during spring opening.