165 mercruiser, lower unit leak

[dreynolds]

I am getting lower unit oil in the engine compartment and the oil in the lower unit looks like a milk shake. There must be a bad seal. How much of a job is it to replace?<br />Thanks<br />Doug

 

[Walter]

Re: 165 mercruiser, lower unit leak

Water can enter the outdrive gear lube a number of ways:<br /><br />Bad drain plug & vent plug seals.<br /><br />Prop shaft seal failure<br /><br />Sea water pump seal failure<br /><br />"O" ring seal failure between gear housing (lower unit) and drive shaft housing<br /><br />Cracked gear/drive shaft housing<br /><br />I'm sure there are more...but those are some of the most common.<br /><br />As far as gear lube getting inside the boat? I can't say I've ever heard that before..but I'd suspect it's possible if your bearing retainer "O" rings or U-joint shaft "O" rings failed.<br /><br />Are you sure that's gear lube in the boat?? Does it look like milkshake too?<br /><br />Keep us posted on your progress...<br /><br />Walt