Lower unit leaks

[Costello]

I've got Mercruiser 120hp stern (I/O) that's leaking gear oil--it's weeping out one of the holes in the lower unit (toward the boat).<br /><br />I noticed the leak after I had it winterized last fall. Is it possible that the shop that serviced it did a poor job of winterizing it, creating a leak like this in the lower unit?<br /><br />I was told that in order to stop the leak, various gasket(s) needed to be replaced (makes sense), at a cost of $200. Is this a fair price?<br /><br />Thanks. You guys always have great advice.

 

[moderator1]

Re: Lower unit leaks

Moving to I/O's.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Lower unit leaks

$200. to Diagnois it is abit High.....<br />$200. to reseal it, Barely covers the Parts.....<br />$300./$500. is more Realistic, Start to Finish....<br />Your boat is older than dirt... They Need maintainance from time to time... I Highly Doubt anybody "Caused" your leak.....

 

[iwldntli2u]

Re: Lower unit leaks

Not Cool Bondo.<br />I have a 81 Mercruiser 120 and it runs just as good as the new dirt. THANKS!!! <br />1. Replace the washers on your drain plug.<br />2. Make sure when you refill you pump gear oil into the stern from the bottom plug. When it comes out the top vent plug close close everything off. <br />If this does not work let me know where the gear oil is coming from.<br />Hope this helps-

 

[Bondo]

Re: Lower unit leaks

Hey, Sorry... It's a local term, meaning something is OOOLLD.....<br />I think 23years Qualifies......<br />All My boats Qualify..... <br />1973 Old Town..... 1974 Starcraft.....<br />Well the 1989 Starcraft is Kind of New for me....<br />H*ll, Even I Qualify.....

 

[denniz]

Re: Lower unit leaks

Bondos right..

 

[Costello]

Re: Lower unit leaks

Ski Rob,<br /><br />The leak is coming from what looks like a breather hole.<br /><br />Thanks.

 

[iwldntli2u]

Re: Lower unit leaks

More detial. Is this breather hole on the stern drive near the bottom to middle of the skeg and looks like three to four vents. If so you need to replace your lower unit seals.<br /> <br />Let me know more detail of where the oil is leaking from. <br /> <br />Have you put a hose on it and started the boat?<br />If you have then drop your gear oil and check for water (milky looking oil.)

 

[Costello]

Re: Lower unit leaks

Ski Rob,<br /><br />Whoa. Sorry, my boating lingo isn't so good. <br /><br />If you were standing behind the boat looking forward, looking at the lower unit, the leak comes from a single hole on the right side near the bottom to middle of the lower half of the lower unit. (Skeg?) It's not coming from the three of four vents.<br /><br />I haven't fired it up yet, and it is still winterized.<br /><br />Thanks for your patience!

 

[bowhuntrrl]

Re: Lower unit leaks

Hate to be the bearer of bad tidings, but you could have a serious problem. That's the "pee" hole that water drains out of. It's up above the vent towards the front cone end of the gearcase. I speak from experience on this, so believe me. If the hole was clogged, and you live in a northern climate(like I do) and there was water in there over the winter, the water freezes and can open a crack in to the gearcase. Most southern guys have never seen this phenomenon because they don't have sustained cold temperatures. I just went through this with an outdrive last season. On the other hand, are you sure it's gear oil?? Does it have that unique stench that only gear oil has ??? Your best bet at this point would be to take it to a shop and have the gearcase pressure tested, that will tell you if you have a problem.<br /><br />bowhuntr

 

[iwldntli2u]

Re: Lower unit leaks

got to agree. Looks like you need to start with a new low end rebuild. If you feel uncomfortable doing this take it to a shop. They can tell you if you have a crack for the seals are bad. <br />Sorry for the bad news-

 

[Costello]

Re: Lower unit leaks

Thanks guys.<br /><br />I'll take it in and have it looked at, and let you know what we find.

 

[2770]

Re: Lower unit leaks

You may also get lucky and need nothing.When I put my outdrive back together after replacing the water pump I spilled some gear oil into the front cavity of the lower unit by accident.I was working on a small table and the top was off the gear oil.I put it back together and the small amount of gear oil that I spilled came dripping from that same hole.If you are saying your drive was serviced last fall it is possible but not very probable that a similar event happened.Either way you need to get the unit pressure checked to be sure.Hopefully you will get off the easy way. CC