Grey Sludge out of prop

[BallisticRenegade]

I just got done running the motor on muffs to ensure it would start up after a carb rebuild. after fixing a small fuel leak everything is working great. When I was getting ready to put it away I saw this grey sludge coming from the prop. it is smooth and not gritty. Could it be un-burned fuel from having to prime the system twice because of the leak? Or is it something more serious like a blown prop seal. Am I good to water test my hard work or do I need to hold off?

 

[kfa4303]

Re: Grey Sludge out of prop

Hi Ballistic. If it's a 2-stroke motor, then it's probably just unburnt fuel/oil/water/exhaust gasses mixed together.

 

[danoutbard]

Re: Grey Sludge out of prop

Looks like gearcase lub to me...

 

[hooterville]

Re: Grey Sludge out of prop

Hi Ballistic. If it's a 2-stroke motor, then it's probably just unburnt fuel/oil/water/exhaust gasses mixed together.

what he said......I have noticed this on my Johnson in the past ....you only notice it in the driveway because its on muffs and motor is tilted down.....on the lake it cleans it out and if you use a transom saver it most likely dries out and you never would notice it unless you run it on muffs again.......at least this is what I have noticed on mine.......


If you are really worried check you lower unit oil to make sure it doesn't have water in it...

 

[BallisticRenegade]

Re: Grey Sludge out of prop

Well I put a zip tie into the top plug of the lower unit and it is less than 1/4 in from the top. it is a greenish grey color and does not look foamy at all. I do not think it is leaking or have water on it. We are going with the unburnt fuel option and taking it out for a test of the rebuilt carb. Wish me luck.

 

[glenn property of pam]

Re: Grey Sludge out of prop

i asked the same question about mine months ago and they said to smell the oil. sounded wierd but it did smell of gas. the lower unit oil has a diffrent smell. the pics look the same as mine was which was unburnt gas and oil especially as i had been running on ears. like me you will proberly check the lower oil every trip until you are satisfied that you do not have a leak.

 

[pdgs]

Re: Grey Sludge out of prop

It's just exhaust carbon mixed with a litle premixed fuel. It's comming from the insides of the exhaust tube inside the mid section. It's not a problem and may continue for a bit. Eventually it will all drain out.

 

[emoney]

Re: Grey Sludge out of prop

The smell test is the easiest. If it's "gassy" smelling, then all is well. If, however, it smells like gear oil, you need to drain that LU and have a real look.