omc lower unit oil leak

[ed hobbs]

A couple of weeks ago I was navigating my 1987 OMC Cobra at night and hit a small buoy, thrashing a new prop (how frustrating)! I had to change props in the water, in the dark, and made it home okay. This morning though, I noticed an oil puddle below my outdrive in the driveway. I quickly traced it to the prop. I pulled the prop off and realized my exhaust chamber was filled with green oil. I figure I have busted a seal in the propshaft assembly. Is that a fair assesment? How much work am I looking at to fix it?

 

[Don S]

Re: omc lower unit oil leak

From the sounds of it, you may have lost the thrust washer for the prop during the prop change, and in the process of running the prop without it, you have ruined the carrier that holds the seals, and possibly the lower housing. If you don't have a manual on it, it's time to get a qualified tech to look at it.

 

[Scaaty]

Re: omc lower unit oil leak

I'm with Don on the thrust washer, and all I can say is "Ouch", as I think this one calls for $ to repair. Good luck and PLEASE post back when you get a fix figured out. It helps us all, so some here can maybe avoid the same or simlilar problem in the future, and again good luck.

 

[crazy charlie]

Re: omc lower unit oil leak

Hopefully you DID put a thrust washer on in the dark and only have to replace the shaft seal.That would be a best case senario.Charlie

 

[ed hobbs]

Re: omc lower unit oil leak

If you are referring to the thrust washer in front of the prop, I made SURE not to loose it or any other parts in the exchange.

 

[Don S]

Re: omc lower unit oil leak

The only way you are going to find your leak for sure is to do a pressure check on the drive and see where the leak is or disassemble the drive and look at all the parts individually. Making suggestions isn't going to help at all, but eventually every seal will be suggested as a possiblility and you will be back where you started.<br />As far a price......Where is it leaking??????