Oil drip after tilting engine up

[bobdec]

Did not get any responses in boating general section, thought I'd try engine specific. I have a 1996 150 HP, Mercury, 2-Cycle, 6-Cylinder, w/3 carburetors. I think it has the common problem of fuel-oil mix leaking from the carburetor bowls when engine is tilted up higher than 45*. The boat is rack stored on an upper rack due to it's height. The marina has informed me oil was dripping down the lower unit onto the boat racked directly below mine. Looks like the fuel is evaporating and the leftover oil is the problem. I cleaned it up and all is good for now, but looking for a way to avoid pulling the cowl and cleaning after each beaching/sandbar trip. Is it OK to use an oil absorbent pad or towel under the air box up front of the engine. Is there is any safety or other concern with putting one in an outboard. PS: Saw an old thread on another forum the said turning front of engine to left (full starboard at the wheel) helped his problem, have not had a chance to check that out..

 

[redneck joe]

I had an 85 Black Max 150 and my guy told me thats 'normal'

 

[Texasmark]

I don't have one but understand the larger oil injected engines have a small oil tank under the cowl with the main tank in the boat. So, I would doubt that a production outboard costing what that engine costs, manufactured by a world renown leader in the industry would have an oil leak as normal....other than residue from the exhaust as a result of combustion by products which can't be helped.

I would check my oil tank fill, fittings and hoses. Also check the 3 carbs and see if one or more are leaking from the venturi. It's not uncommon for leaking of the sort when tilted up like that with bad needle valves and float positions in the carbs. A properly functioning carb will allow you to tilt up to more like 70 degrees without leaking.

HTH,
Mark

 

[bobdec]

OK, I''m going to do some testing when I can get to the marina. Run it on muff, then pull the air box, tilt it up, and see if it's one or multiple carbs leaking. I'll take some pics and update thread. Except for mess under the air box that migrates to the pan and then down the drive the engine is super clean. I checked engine oil reservoir, all the oil lines from tank to pump to carbs, and around the oil pump, they were all dry. I cleaned up and dried the pan and residue under the air box last Monday. I took it out Friday and after a hour or so tilted up at a beach I saw oil drips (thinking evaporated fuel/oil mix) in the splash-well. I was pulled into a sandbar with bow out and stern towards the beach, water about 12-18 inches deep, the engine was tilted up about 45* angle for the prop/skeg to clear bottom.