Water in lower unit?

[BigFish7]

I have a 1971 50hp mercury 500 and have drained the lower unit oil. Upon doing so there was a little water mixed in with the oil which was gray/foamy. It is an older engine and I dont think it really has been changed all that much. It has only been ran in freshwater, and the bottom plug did not have any washer. Could it have gone through there? If it were a bad leak wouldn't it be really watered down from not being changed for so long? I guess my question is should I give it a try with the washers in place or do I have to do some more work to it?

 

[threecylinder]

Re: Water in lower unit?

no gasket= water in lube<br /><br />However gray colored lube is not a good sign....<br /><br />Hope you put in merc high performance +(blue kind). Makes it real easy to determine if water is in.

 

[Ben Konopacky]

Re: Water in lower unit?

Bigfish7;I guess someone goofed by not replacing that washer. drain the oil replace the fill and vent washers (new),re fill with good grade of oil,remove prop ,check seal area for fishing line.Lube shaft replace prop.Take it for a spin around the lake,when you come back let it set for a day then drain about 1/2 pint of oil in a glass/plastic see thru tumbler and check for H2O .If you see none Your in good shape ,top it off make shure the plugs are tight,and your all set. Good luck