Yamaha 200 HPDI leaking fluid from lower unit when motor is down

[David Sealey]

I recently had a bent prop shaft diagnosed and replaced on my 2001 Yamaha 200 HPDI that has 400 hrs. I think that the prop shaft and seals were replaced. Unfortunately, when I lower the motor into the water, there is still a fluid leak. Not sure if it is oil or gas, but a slick appears in the water immediately. Any idea of what the problem may be and a potential fix?

 

[robert graham]

Re: Yamaha 200 HPDI leaking fluid from lower unit when motor is down

Take boat out of water, remove prop, inspect prop shaft and seal, drain lower unit to inspect for water in oil, if oil is milky then you have a bad seal or prop shaft or bad washers/gaskets around drain plugs. Good Luck!

 

[David Sealey]

Re: Yamaha 200 HPDI leaking fluid from lower unit when motor is down

When the prop shaft was recently replaced, I believe they also replaced the seals. As for the washers/gaskets around the drain plugs, not sure if they were ever inspected or replaced

 

[robert graham]

Re: Yamaha 200 HPDI leaking fluid from lower unit when motor is down

Yep,you need to remove that prop and get in there and really check it out. There are 2 other seals on top of the foot, one for drive shaft and one for the shift shaft, so you may need to drop the foot also to inspect those 2. When you remove prop look for fishing line wrapped around prop shaft in the area of the prop shaft seal, as it can get in there and ruin or cause a seal to leak. Good Luck!

 

[David Sealey]

Re: Yamaha 200 HPDI leaking fluid from lower unit when motor is down

Definitely not fishing line. I just launched my boat yesterday and it had not been used since the end of last season when the prop shaft and seals were replaced

 

[robert graham]

Re: Yamaha 200 HPDI leaking fluid from lower unit when motor is down

Maybe just some left over grease/oil from repair/service work, run it up and down lake for a while and see if it quits showing the oil. Some folks tend to over-grease the splines on prop shaft when putting it back on. If your fluid leaking is black, it could be from winter storage/fogging oil burning out of the motor/exhaust. Good Luck!