Leaking Oil from Drain Hole?

[reelmichigan]

If you look at the pic directly in the middle of the highlighted circle there is what appears to be a machined drain hole or something for the lower unit.

It's leaking Oil and I'm wondering if this is normal or why there is oil coming out. It's a 1969 or so I was told FD-17M 20 horse Johnson. Any help would be appreciated Thanks

 

[CaptainHook]

Re: Leaking Oil from Drain Hole?

Is it gear oil or unburned fuel????

 

[reelmichigan]

Re: Leaking Oil from Drain Hole?

It doesn't appear to be gear oil cause it has a fuel smell to it. So I'm assuming unburnt. I just removed the spark plugs and there are minor deposits around the rings, but on the insulator and ignitor it is greyish but no deposits and dry. I've been running at a 32:1 ratio and I think I finally got the motor dialed in after some issues in the beginning with a bad O ring in the carb. I finally can get it to top out. The engine runs perfect now and starts right up with no hesitation or putters but I want to make sure this isn't an underlying bigger issue waiting to happen. Thanks alot.

 

[reelmichigan]

Re: Leaking Oil from Drain Hole?

Oh and one more thing cause I am an outboard noob. But is it only the lower unit where the prop is at that has the gear oil, or does the unit above it have oil also that would need changing? Or is it just water thats circulated below the engine but above the gear case on the lower unit.

 

[CaptainHook]

Re: Leaking Oil from Drain Hole?

Gear oil is only in the lower unit gear case. Water circulates through the powerhead and then exits thought the mid section where it mixes with exhuast and finally leaves through the prop hub or exhaust snout depending on model.

What year motor are you running? 32:1 is a rich oil mixture so depending on the motor the "oil leak/drip" may be perfectly normal. Most likely it is.

 

[rjezuit]

Re: Leaking Oil from Drain Hole?

If it's a 69, it's not an FD17. An FD 17 is a 63. Look for a number on the engine (on a silver plug the size of a nickel), or on the transom bracket. Post the number and we will tell you the correct oil/gas ratio and year. It looks to me like unburnt oil and not a worry. Rick

 

[reelmichigan]

Re: Leaking Oil from Drain Hole?

The number on the metal stamp on the block is J2331479 but the model number on the plate is FD-17M

Thanks a ton, like I said the guy said it was a 69 Johnson 20 but either way even if it is a 63 it's screaming like a beast now and is very reliable.