200 four stroke oil leak?

[tyrainman]

Hate to sound like the amateur that I am but had the boat shrink wrapped for the winter with the engines in the tilted up position. Took the shrink wrap off the other day and found oil in the transom. Could oil have seeped out of the reservoir and into the cylinders then out the plugs. Afraid to tilt the motors down if there is oil in the cylinders. Could that cause any damage. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Just bought the boat in Oct. Don't really have experience with twin 4 strokes. Thanks

 

[SparkieBoat]

Re: 200 four stroke oil leak?

if you had the motors trimmed too far up, the oil could have leaked out. I would change my oil and filter unless you did it just prior to putting the boat up, in which case I would trim motors down let them sit for half an hour then check the oil level and add until full. everything else should be fine. do not leave your motors trimmed up so high next time.

 

[99yam40]

Re: 200 four stroke oil leak?

the cylinders are at the back of all the outboard motors I have seen, and I think the 4 strokes are not that much different than 2 strokes
so when motors are trimmed up they are well above the oil sump and will not have oil seep into them

 

[lakensea]

Re: 200 four stroke oil leak?

Are you sure it's engine oil? It could be hydraulic steering fluid leaking from a cylinder seal, hose or hose fitting. If it's engine oil, it could just be from the tech spilling oil and not cleaning it up. The bottom of the side covers are pretty well sealed these days, but the spilled oil can leak out the front when the engines are tilted up. Under normal circumstances there should be no leakage when tilted up all the way.

 

[SparkieBoat]

Re: 200 four stroke oil leak?

four stroke motors can only be tilted so far before they begin to leak oil, I am not sure exactly what the angle is, but your owners manual should tell you.