Help please..Lower unit leaking

[costy]

I am intending to go out Monday on my sail boat so today I was trying to get it ready. before trying to start my outboard I notices a green oil leak coming from behind the prop. There got to be a big seal right behind the propeller so I have no idea how to change it or if I can even get it tonight.
I checked the oil and it has no water in it (yet) I added 20ml of gear oil (different brand from what was in it, the only thing I had in the garage) can I assume that OIL OUT WATER IN? Or could I try to go out and take care of it later on next week. My motor is a 4.5 Hp 1983 sea horse.
Two trips a go a rope got wrapped around the prop and shut down my engine could that have caused the compromise in the seal? I did go aut since then and there was no leak until today and there was no puddle on the garage floor form it so i think the leak is very small.
Thanks in advance for all your suggestions.

Costy

 

[Bosunsmate]

Re: Help please..Lower unit leaking

If it was me id go out if its not leaking much especially since you will hopefully be running on sail most of the time. You dont want it running dry though. The marine gearbox oil are pretty good at dealng with a little bit of water in there but you will want to drain and flush it out well when you get back and sort out which seals broken. I have heard of props being tangledin ropes doing seals before.

You will get some water getting in with any leak

 

[nwcove]

Re: Help please..Lower unit leaking

20ml isnt a lot. how much motoring do you do? id try a short barrell run and see if it leaks bad before running on your boat. there is a seal and a large o-ring behind the prop. the retainer needs to be GENTLY tapped about 15 degrees on way or the other ( after you remove the two bolts), then GENTLY pursuaded out of the lu to get at the o-ring and seal. if you get to rough with the retainer you will break the ears off of it, and its an expensive part.

 

[costy]

Re: Help please..Lower unit leaking

Thank you guys you are great help as always. I am going to be motoring about 10-15 min past the jetties @ Dana Point Harbor.
Is there a diagram? and I think I am going to be changing the water pomp also.
When disassembling the lower gear unit should I have the gears engaged? I am under the impression that I read that somewhere.
Thanks again, Costy

 

[Bosunsmate]

Re: Help please..Lower unit leaking

Heres the link, click one of the two blue models on the right
http://www.crowleymarine.com/omc_parts/Evinrude-Outboards/1983/4.5.cfm
Looks like whichever seal you need for the prop they are all in stock still.
I cant answer the gears engaged question

 

[WIMUSKY]

Re: Help please..Lower unit leaking

If you're going to replace the water pump, you might as well completely re-seal the lower unit.....

 

[costy]

Re: Help please..Lower unit leaking

I am thinking to just change the O ring since I can see that gear oil escapes right about there and no where else.
Does anyone know if the cotter pin is supposed to be straight or semi circle once I straightened the wings I am having a very hard time pulling it out because it is not straight but rounded off like a quarter moon
Do I have to pull the seals off to change the O ring If I can ever get the cover pin out?

Thanks so much for your help.
Costy