Slick

[muskyjim]

1979 70hp Johnson Sea Horse. When the motor is trimmed all the way up I am leaving a petro. slick behind the boat as I drift along. I fish a lot of flowages so I have to have the motor up when I'm trolling. I don't like to bounce the motor off of rocks, stumps, and other lower unit killers. I suppose it could be anything from a leaking gasket to some fuel leaking out around the motor and tank hose connections. It doesn't affect the way the motor runs, it just doesn't look good when I'm boating on some of the pristine waters in Northern WI.
I can't seem to see any place where it might be leaking from. There is nothing under the motor after it's been sitting for a while. Worry about it?

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Slick

Chances are its fuel escaping from the carbs. With the engine tilted all the way up the float bowls are almost vertical instead of horizontal as they would be when running. Sort of like tipping over your cup of coffee. There is no need to tilt the engine all the way up.

 

[F_R]

Re: Slick

If it isn't carb dripping as mentioned, don't worry about it. But you can reduce the slick considerably by using full synthetic TC-W3 outboard oil. It's also bio-degradeable.

I made an unscientific test of the oils by dripping a drop of conventional TC-W3 gas/oil mix on the water and a drop of the full synthetic mix. The conventional made a purple rainbow sheen that spread clear across the river. The synthetic made a similar sheen that only went out maybe 5 feet and disappeared. And it smokes a heck of a lot less. It costs more, but I switched.