oil dripping from skeg

[sparkroost]

As the motor sat overnight some black oily substance is dripping from the skeg, coming from inside the LU. I thought maybe I had a leaky seal but I pressure/vaccum tested the lower unit prior to install. The oil is black in color. I have not had the unit in the water as of yet. This morning I pulled the lower plug to check to see if the color was the same.. oil in the lu is golden brown. Could this stuff be just oil residue leaking down the exhaust and out?

 

[whosmatt]

Re: oil dripping from skeg

You got it. Motors run at low speeds will have more of this residue...

 

[2770]

Re: oil dripping from skeg

No need for concern if it is black.All outboards have this dripping crap. CC

 

[granpafish]

Re: oil dripping from skeg

You don't give any info on your motor, age, hp etc. That could help, but I'll tell you about a similar situation I had. An early 90s Evinrude 50 hp that had never leaked anything all of the sudden began leaking black oily residue from the prop exhaust area. I inquired here and got a number of responses. One of the possibilities given was a bad fuel line that was sucking air. I put a new one on and presto, the problem stopped. If your fuel line and primer bulb are 5 yrs old or more, try it. It is relatively cheap and they should be replaced at least that often anyhow. Granpa

 

[sparkroost]

Re: oil dripping from skeg

I am not sure I understand. If there is a leak inside the cowling, after where the fuel line connets to the motor, then it would drip in the cowling, down the leg.. on the outside, correct?<br /><br />I could see if you had a float needle sticking open with the fuel line connected. It possibly might continue to siphon through the motor.<br /><br />sorry bout the motor info.. 1973 evinrude 115HP. 115393M<br /><br />I just bought that fuel pump about 8 mo. ago and used it once or twice before the motor blew up.<br /><br />Would it be possible that the fuel pump could be sending fuel through the pulse side into the #4 cylinder and out the exhaust?

 

[G DANE]

Re: oil dripping from skeg

Hi Sparkroost<br /><br />No the dripping oil is part of the game - when running without load, they all do it. The reason the guy got the advice on the leaking fuel line is that his is a VRO motor, supplying an amount of oil with every pump stroke of fuel ( VRO2 ) If fuel side sucks air, it will overoil and lots of the unburned oil will drip. Mine has always dripped some ontill they got under load in water - then it was gone, untill I ran them for wintherrizing - then is was back again. BTW - Wipe it off, or it will discolour your paint job as long as its fresh.!!

 

[granpafish]

Re: oil dripping from skeg

Dane is absolutely right. The problem existed because of the VRO in combo with the bad fuel line. Since your motor is obviously not in that column, disregard. By the way since then, I've moved on to a 4 stroke. Granpa

 

[sparkroost]

Re: oil dripping from skeg

Thanks for all the information guys.<br /><br />There are sure alot of different animals out there. It sure makes things more difficult to troubleshoot.<br /><br />I can't wait to get this girl wet! Trying to cover all the bases so I can avoid a potential "excuse me, could you give me a tow?". It's time to face the music. "Bia*ch, you better not leave me stranded!"