Oil leaking from lower unit

[jaxbroker]

I have a 1986 Evinrude 175 ob and after a recent trip noticed oil leaking from around the propeller. On the last trip I ran out of gas and beached in mud and may have sucked some into the water intake. I flushed the engines at home but they didn't pee a strong stream. The water came out, but not with as much pressure as usual. What precautions should I take to preserve the engine?

 

[OBJ]

Re: Oil leaking from lower unit

Hi jaxbroker....<br /><br />If the color of the oil is a dirty black, it's probably unburnt oil coming from the exhaust cavity. It happens.<br /><br />If the engine is not peeing a good stream, run a wire up into the pee hole while the engine is running. Probably some mud or silt caught inside. If you have access to compressed air, run the engine on muffs and then blow back through the pee hole with air.<br /><br />Keep us posted....thanks.

 

[jaxbroker]

Re: Oil leaking from lower unit

No, it's a slow steady leak. I wiped it up and it came back.It is coming from around the front of the prop, not the exhaust area. I believe it is lower unit oil but don't know what seal would be blown down there. My manual mentions two different types of gearboxes--mechanical and hydro-mechanical. I'm not sure which I have. I will just have to take a Saturday and dive in.

 

[Solittle]

Re: Oil leaking from lower unit

Check the oil by pulling the drain plug. If the oil is chocolate in color or water comes out then you know you have a bad seal. Then it is time for a pressure/vacume check. If the oil is OK what you are seeing is unburned oil from the fuel & not to worry.

 

[OBJ]

Re: Oil leaking from lower unit

Jax...yours' is mechanical. No pump or anything.<br /><br />Listen to solittle. If the color is dirty black...it's residue from the exhaust cavity. Check the gear lube as solittle suggested.

 

[jaxbroker]

Re: Oil leaking from lower unit

thanks for all the input! It definitely had me worried seeing that much oil coming out. It does appear to be good oil, not chocolate colored, so I should be okay. I think I did go a little heavy on oil last time I filled up, and the engine is overpropped so I can't break 4300 rpms, so there should probably be extra oil there. Anyone know of a good site to swap props? mine are 14.25 x 23. I need 14.25 x 19. thanks again.