Mercruiser 3.0 Oil Leak

[Chemdawg]

Got something kind of interesting going on here. I discovered an oil leak just recently, and was wondering if this is a common place.

When I discovered the leak, there was oil down in the well below the motor. So I cleaned everything up really good, and placed some paper towel down there to see where it was leaking from. I know it's not coming from the tail end of the motor, nor the timing cover. It appears to be leaking from the drain plug. I tightened it down a bit more, and it still leaks. Was there a gasket or something on the drain plug that may have been lost when I did the oil change?

Is this a common area that a leak can occur?

 

[alldodge]

Got something kind of interesting going on here. I discovered an oil leak just recently, and was wondering if this is a common place.

When I discovered the leak, there was oil down in the well below the motor. So I cleaned everything up really good, and placed some paper towel down there to see where it was leaking from. I know it's not coming from the tail end of the motor, nor the timing cover. It appears to be leaking from the drain plug. I tightened it down a bit more, and it still leaks. Was there a gasket or something on the drain plug that may have been lost when I did the oil change?

Is this a common area that a leak can occur?

It's not good to change the oil using the drain plug for this reason. Most all at Loctite'd to keep them from being removed. Should be using a vacuum pump and draw the oil through the dip stick. There isn't a seal for the marine engines, but you could probably find one at the local auto parts store, like a nylon washer.

 

[Chemdawg]

I did hear that somewhere else too. It's a real PITA to get at the drain plug anyways. Not so much the drain plug, but it's hard to get something under it to catch the oil. I'm not exactly sure how to get it out through the dipstick unless I take it in. I am not one to go to the shop for something like an oil change though.

It wasn't leaking at all till I did the oil change, that's why I'm assuming it's the drain plug. I will get a washer from work, and I will loctite it back in place and figure out how to suck it out of the dipstick.

Thanks for the response.

Pat