[AZVIKE]

This is a '95 5hp Mariner with very low hours. Took it out this weekend and it ran and idled fine the first 2 days. Third day, it wouldn't idle, and was difficult to restart. We we pulled out of lake, I noticed there was copious amounts of what appeared to be white lithium grease on the shaft housing and in front of the lower unit. Any ideas?

[fastwater]

Does it have a gear oil smell,gear oil mixed with water will look like lithium grease,but the lithium don't smell like the gear lube.

[AZVIKE]

Thanks. I assume you're right about it being gear oil. I don't know about the smell, but there wouldn't be any reason I can think of for their to be be that much grease.Suppose I'm looking at a lower unit rebuild?

[AZVIKE]

Definitely gear oil. Also have gear oil pooling in the lower cowling under the carb. Why would that be?

[Kevin W]

my 70hp had major mixture issues and it was dumping gas and oil in the lower end.it looked like a white greasy slop.it was not lower end oil.the gas evaporated ans the premix oil was left which mixed with the water to form this greasy slop.it would be a very good idea to change the lower end oil just in case but i would bet its premix.If you get it running right it will dissapear.

[Kevin W]

i should have previewed my post.it is not actually dumping it in the lower end.its coming out the propeller and around it.

[AZVIKE]

Drained the gear oil. No evidence of water, so you might be right.

[TOHATSU GURU]

If it's white it is almost a given that it is gear oil. Unburned fuel/oil is black.