Black Oil from Prop Housing
Was really looking forward to going fishing this weekend, but when I
went out to the garage last night, I saw black oil leaking from inside
the prop housing and collecting in a small puddle on the floor. I felt
like I got punched in the gut.However, after doing a little Googling today, I see that theres a good
chance that this is not a big deal at all: http://www.maxrules.com/fixgearcasetip.html
SERVICE TIP Are you suspicious that your gearcase is leaking because
you see black oil "leaking" around the propeller or collecting on the
garage floor under the lower unit?
[JJ: Yes, I am!]
Relax, because 9 times out of 10 what your seeing is simply the
residual lubricating oil running down out of the exhaust housing.
[JJ: You mean there's hope?]
When the motor is running, the unburned oil (95% of it) gets mixed
with the cooling water discharged into the midsection's exhaust tube.
Here it collects as an foamy emulsion, especially if the motor was
used for extended period at low speed.
[JJ: Hmm, I *did* have the boat idling in the driveway for about 15
minutes, as I do in the winter to avoid having to winterize.]
After you put it up, the water evaporates, leaving the oil to run down
and out the weep holes and the exhaust hub.
[JJ: (Tentative) Woohoo!] Has anybody experienced this one before? I'll check the gearcase oil
condition before I fire it up this weekend, but if that checks out, do
you think I'm good to go? Thanks,
Jamie Jackson
Falls Church, VA |
Jamie
Jan 14
2005
|
