Grease or oil leaking out of lower shaft near prop

[tigers04]

I have a 3.5 HP JOhnson 2006 outboard I use on a little 12 foot boat. I noticed in the garage this morning that there was grease or oil leaking out on the floor from a tiny hole on the bottom of the shaft... any input on what this could be?

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: Grease or oil leaking out of lower shaft near prop

Welcome to iboats.

Is it black oil? It may be residual unburned fuel/oil mix which is very common.

If it smells like rotten eggs it is gear oil and will require more investigation

 

[tigers04]

Re: Grease or oil leaking out of lower shaft near prop

It does not smell like rotten eggs, took it out again just the other day, and today noticed more of the same onlly coming from higher up this time. The motor runs great still. note- the motor hadnt been run in 2 years when i bought it. Does this seem serious?