1988 100 hp mercury outboard

lakeuser

Cadet
Joined
Apr 22, 2018
Messages
6
Hi i just bought this boat, when i went to see it run the owner had already started it there was some fuel leaking from carb area also there was some small leak by a hole in the lower gear case it looked dark he said he thinks he primed it too much after running the leak stopped he thought there was a leak at the lower unit said it just started that day iam wondering if it was just the fuel coming out of the lower gear case hole any thoughts ? thanks John
 

flyingscott

Fleet Admiral
Joined
Apr 8, 2014
Messages
8,126
Both those issues could be normal. Unless he gives you a warranty or you can test drive it be very leary of it. If it is the 4 cyl motorThey are excellent motors but are known as 2+2 motors. They run on 2 cylinders until 1800 rpm then the other 2 kick in. So if you heard it idle you heard it run on 1/2 the motor.
 

jimmbo

Supreme Mariner
Joined
May 24, 2004
Messages
13,462
Well the first alarm bell that go off for me is "i went to see it run the owner had already started it". When I purchase an engine, I want to see how easy it starts while cold.
The drippage from the gear case might be gas-oil. or it could be gear oil. Get some on your fingers and smell it. Gas-oil smells like, gas-oil. while gear oils can stink to high heaven. Bleach will remove the stench from you fingers
 

lakeuser

Cadet
Joined
Apr 22, 2018
Messages
6
I did buy the boat i was thinking about letting run a bit in the driveway and see if it still leaks thanks for the replys
 
Top