Oil leaking where lower unit attaches

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Gosling

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I have a 1982 Johnson Seahorse 35 hp longshaft, pull start.Just brought it out for the season,started up,ran well. I took it for a little run around the cove,no issues, everything running well, at the dock I notice it is leaking oil around the area where the lower unit bolts on to the rest of the engine.Not a lot, just enough to make a mess. I didn't notice it before...ps..I changed the lower gear oil fluid the other day.(second time I did this,done right as far as I can tell).<br />Is this a normal thing? Is that area sealed?
 
O

ob

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Re: Oil leaking where lower unit attaches

Is the oil you see leaking out black as in exhaust residue or amber with the distinct odor of lower unit lube?Only way the lower unit oil would migrate up that high is if it was grossly overfilled.Then you'd have to have a seal leaking.My guess is what you're seeing is exhaust residue,in which case you could have a leaky inner exhaust housing rubber seal.
 
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Gosling

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Re: Oil leaking where lower unit attaches

there could be a definate chance I overfilled it...is this broken seal a big thing to deal with? do I need a tech?...better question,can I still run it? or will I screw something up?....I just idled it a bit at the dock..it leaks a bit and isn't pumpimg a treamendous amount of money...but seems to run fine??
 
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Gosling

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Re: Oil leaking where lower unit attaches

there could be a definate chance I overfilled it...is this broken seal a big thing to deal with? do I need a tech?...better question,can I still run it? or will I screw something up?....I just idled it a bit at the dock..it leaks a bit and isn't pumpimg a treamendous amount of water...but seems to run fine??<br /><br />the oil looks black...
 
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ob

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Re: Oil leaking where lower unit attaches

If you feel you may have overfilled the lower unit just remove the top vent plug and see if lube continues to weap out.That upper plug hole is the fill level.Is the leaking residue you are seeing black??
 
D

DJ

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Re: Oil leaking where lower unit attaches

I seriously doubt you overfilled the L/U.<br /><br />For a L/U leak to show up at that seam is pretty rare.
 
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Gosling

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Re: Oil leaking where lower unit attaches

the oil looks black .....is it ok for water to get in there?..the oil in the lower unit looked black aswell when I changed it. will this dicipate?is it the fact that I may have put too much oil in the gas?...ps:I don't meen for these to be stupid questions, I don't know a whole lot about engines.any help is apreciated..
 
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DJ

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Re: Oil leaking where lower unit attaches

Lower unit lube that is BLACK is OK. Looking like a milkshake spells trouble.<br /><br />Yes, water is supposed to get in there. The exhaust is water cooled.<br /><br />Overoiling once or twice will not usually cause what you see. Making a habit of it might.
 
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Gosling

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Re: Oil leaking where lower unit attaches

would it have anything to do with beeing fogged for the winter and being the first real run the engine has had?
 
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ob

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Re: Oil leaking where lower unit attaches

The black residue you are seing is no cause for alarm.That cavity where it is leaking from is engulfed with water when the engine is running.That water cools the inner exhaust housing.
 
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DJ

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Re: Oil leaking where lower unit attaches

Fogging residue. Maybe.<br /><br />Do nothing.
 
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Gosling

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Re: Oil leaking where lower unit attaches

awesome...so there is nothing really wrong!?....thank you for the help gents...I was getting worried...
 
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