Mercruiser 5.0 LX 1992 Oil Leak After Impeller Change

[Gavman04]

Over night I noticed an oily feeling spot around the bottom of the water inlet, it doesn't really smell much like gear lube. And it was there after I tested it in the lake.
Fast Forward to today, I read lots of other posts about seals being amiss and whatnot. Just now, I put the boat in forward, drained oil, pulled the lower. And it's on a stand. (is it able to support itself on its fin? or is that bad for it?) I took pictures But I am not seeing anything out of the ordinary (what I would imagine ordinary is based on pictures and forums) I put pictures on the google drive link. Any help would be sooooo appreciated. Ironically I'm trying to get this done by Thursday because one of my navy friends who knows nothing about boats is coming to do some boating with me.

https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B5...0dRZEhuV0c2OWM

 

[Gavman04]

Bump?

 

[Rick Stephens]

I missed that you were asking about oil leaks. Didn't get that reading the body of your post. Also, is almost always better to continue the same thread and not start a new one in the midst of resolving linked issues.

There is only one way to determine where a leak is, pressure test the drive. There are several guiding threads about it in the Adults Only section. Literally no other way to diagnose. And you are sure you didn't just have spilled oil from splitting the halves?

 

[Rick Stephens]

You can hang a drive from its cavitation plate. No problem. everyone doe it that way.

I really dislike pulling a lower. It is a miserable job lifting it back up to the upper without damaging the seals.

If you have a leak, and not just oil left all over the inside from splitting the halves, then you need to pull the upper, install the upper down onto the lower on your stand and pressure test the drive. There are guide threads listed in the Adults Only section on how to pressure test.

 

[Gavman04]

Ive read that it could be carb residue, or unburnt gas. I just don't know why that'd be coming out the water inlet holes. And I can't stress enough how small the quantity of whatever is leaking is. It doesn't even drip to the ground and it's a line about 2 inches long.

 

[GA_Boater]

Both threads merged for minimum confusion.

 

[Gavman04]

I am going to repost, as my other thread's title is more suitable for my present question.

 

[GA_Boater]

No, I'll change the title. You will still have two threads going on the same problem by re-posting.