I had the lower unit on my 25 hp merc. burn up due to lack of gear oil. I service it myself and had about 8 outings since I replaced the gear oil. It did not leak from the side gear ports. There was no oil in the lower unit case at all. There was alot of fishing line on the prop shaft. My insurance company refused to pay because there was no water in the gear case and the gears were burned. The question is_Is it possible for fishing line to let the gear oil out of the lower unit without letting any water in? I trailer my boat so it's only in the water when running.
