[urkis]

Greetings group members!
As English is my second language I hope you will ignore any strange language.

I was out today for the first time in two weeks and noticed a strange mark below the powerhead on my 60 hp Mariner (4-stroke, year 2001).

The paint was peeling and I thought that another boat had hit the engine some time during the last two weeks.

I started out slowly and was trolling for about 30 minutes. I then checked the area where the paint was peeling off and was shocked to see that a burn mark was showing (had not been brown burn mark when I sat out). I touched the spot and it was unbelievable hot. I shut off my outboard and splashed water on the area to cool it down.
Stopped my trolling and headed home without any problems. But, dear forum experts: What can cause this heat in this area of the outboard?

Here is a photo taken with my mobile showing where the burn mark is: http://www.flickr.com/photos/oivindu/1443703764

Any suggestions are much appreciated.

Regards from Oivind in Norway

[JUSTINTIME]

that is the exhaust