newbie questions

[jerry place]

hey guys, i recently bought a boat with a 1988 mercury 100hp inline 4 cylinder 2 stroke on it and have a couple of questions. first i just had all the seals in my l/u replaced and now when i park the boat for a couple of days i notice a small amount of oil coming out of the water intake holes forming a small puddle on my driveway. i always park the boat with the motor up with the transom saver installed. is this wrong? or normal? secondly, i was wondering if my engine has some form of alternator on it to charge the starting battery? or do i need to charge in between use? have gotten conflicting responses from friends. thanks for your help. jerry

 

[Yepblaze]

Re: newbie questions

Many 2 stroke motors will dribble or drool oils that have accumulated in the midsection during use after parking. It's normal and the more you run it hard, the less it should piddle.

And yes the motor should charge the battery on it's own.

Check the battery voltage before starting and during operation at some RPM above idle. You should see a higher voltage. If not there is something wrong.

 

[electricjohn]

Re: newbie questions

With your motor tilted up, the oil tank inside your cowling may be leaking and running down the inside of your cowling, mid section, and lower unit. Make sure the cap on the oil tank is snug, but not overtightened. If the oil on your driveway is thick, it may be your lower unit leaking gear lube. Your motor does have an alternator, it is either a 9, 16, or 24 amp alternator.

edit; I have never seen any oil puddles under my 1988 motor, so, not normal.

 

[jerry place]

Re: newbie questions

thanks guys. this is definitely gear oil. i just didn't know if it was leaking because i was storing it tilted or what.

 

[electricjohn]

Re: newbie questions

Shouldn't leak either way.