leak around the prop

45 hp mariner leak unit oil around prop. Does mean a seal needs to be replaced and how hard to fix.

Re: leak around the prop

How much oil is it? It may just be unburnt fuel.

Re: leak around the prop

As suggested this could just be exhaust residue.It will likely small gassy gear lube will have a distinct different smell.
If its gear lube the the remaining lube will likely be milky and/or water will be present.

Re: leak around the prop

If it is gear lube you will have to replace the lower shaft seal. To all boaters, the best way to cut/ruin this seal is to get fishing line wrapped around the prop shaft !!!!!! Be sure to check every time you take the boat out of the water or raise the drive. One foot of fish line will cut the seal out in seconds. Also while at that point. "Foot of the drive". If in winter time take out the lube drain plug..... if ANY water is present, be sure to drain the drive foot and replace the lube. Water in the drive will freeze and crack the foot.

Re: leak around the prop

Amen brothers! I found out the hard way about freezing water in the lower unit. I went out one fine winter morn and thought someone had tried to steal my SS prop. Turns out water in the lower unit froze, and actually pushed the prop and gear shaft right out of the threaded portion of the foot! Luckily for me, my trusty mechanic was able to clean and rerun the threads and replace the shaft and prop and saved me hundreds of dollars! Turns out, the culprit for damaging the seal was some fiber left over from some aquatic weeds (which can become as tough as any fishing line). Now I make sure to examine the lower unit for any foreign matter around the prop and water intakes as well as make sure I drain the lower unit and relube it EVERY time I put the boat up for the winter!

As to the original questiion - This is something I would see what a good mechanic would charge before i ripped it apart myself. An improper seal will cause a lot of headaches down the road.

Re: leak around the prop

Water in the foot will make its way to the bottom or at the drain plug for the lube. Good to lower motor or drive after getting home, if you do bring your boat home, while it is warm, any water can migrate down toward the lube drain plug. As soon as you remove that plug ANY WATER present will be the first thing to drain. May be just a bit but, would be a good time to drain all the lube into some kind of container and check it for sure. If water is mixed with the lube it will look like a milkshake. If no water lube might look like original or be dark from a lot ofrunning. Best thing to do is replace the lube with new. Cheap insurance whether summer or winter. You could rig a heat lamp or two on the foot if the weather is colder so it will drain more completely. I looked at drive lube at walmarts today and the lube pump should do a good job of filling with new lube.
I spent some time on the water years ago as my then father in law owned and operated a boat sales, repair shop and he pulled us skiing and riding many times. He had a boat that he raced also so I had a chance to listen and learn quite a bit about outboards and how to take care of them. He also always carried several cans of lighter fluid (to start a stuborn engine) and always carried several sets of spare spark plugs. He sold and serviced Scott motors at the time and for years Sears outboards were made by Scott so you could cross parts to scott or sears if you had the manuals.