25 HP Evinrude Leaking Oil Around Prop

[RonDeF]

I have a 1998 25HP Evinrude that is leaking oil while sitting, not running and it appears to be coming from behind the propeller. I cleaned off the oil yesterday and I see more coming out today. The oil is dark brown in color and I see it coming from the back of the propeller. I have not used the boat since last Saturday, I spent all day in a no wake zone fishing but this just seems like to much oil to be unburned oil (2 stroke engine). I am going to pull the propeller and check behind it in about an hour. I am just looking for some ideas of what to check. If the seals are bad, how much does it cost to replace them? How hard would it be for me to replace them?

 

[iwombat]

Re: 25 HP Evinrude Leaking Oil Around Prop

Sounds like unburned 2-stroke, but to be sure just pull the bottom fill plug and let a bit out. Look for water and/or milky lube.

 

[RonDeF]

Re: 25 HP Evinrude Leaking Oil Around Prop

I have had the boat for a month and have never seen oil leaking like this before, it just started leaking. How much oil should leak before I get concerned. I have a small puddle under the lower unit.. How can I verify the seals are not leaking on the lower unit? Take the prop off?

The motor has been extremely hard to start since I bought the boat when it is first started and sometimes it will act up after sitting just a few hours.

 

[iwombat]

Re: 25 HP Evinrude Leaking Oil Around Prop

A small puddle is nothing. Especially if you were idling it all day. Leaks in the LU usually go both ways - oil leaks out, water leaks in.

Pull the lower plug and take a sample, if you're concerned. Then, worry about where the leak is if you find one.

 

[RonDeF]

Re: 25 HP Evinrude Leaking Oil Around Prop

Thanks for your suggestion. If the gear oil looks ok then I should not worry? Why would this not occurr before as most of my time in the last month has been in a no wake zone and I never had oil near the prop after other trips out with the boat?

 

[iwombat]

Re: 25 HP Evinrude Leaking Oil Around Prop

One never really knows these things. Sometimes you'll get a big glop of goo, other times not. As the motor ages, or the ignition gets a little less hot, or thermostats change a bit you can see more and more unburned oil. It's all normal, so nothing to be concerned about.

Check the lower, if you don't find anything you probably don't have a leak. Then, if you really want to be sure nothing is going on pull the prop and check for fishing line and the like in the outer seal. The main thing is making sure you don't have any water getting in the LU.

 

[RonDeF]

Re: 25 HP Evinrude Leaking Oil Around Prop

iwombat, thanks for the help. I just pulled the lower plug and all is good, no water intrusion. The gear oil is nice and clean as I hoped since it was just serviced right before I bought the boat. The oil I see does smell burnt and has a gasoline aroma. I guess you are right, nothing to worry about.

How about a couple more questions from a first time boat owner.

How often should I pull the prop and check for fishing line?

Is there a good way to start this motor?

I usually pump the ball in the gas line until it gets hard then lift up the choke lever and try and start it. When that does not work I usually try priming the engine by pushing in the key for a couple of senconds and then try to start it again. I usually have to attempt this a couple of times before it starts.

Should I try priming the engine before the first attempt?

 

[RonDeF]

Re: 25 HP Evinrude Leaking Oil Around Prop

iwombat, I just corrected my hard start problem. I needed to pump the gas line, pull up the choke, put the key in, hold it in, turn the key half way and wait for the beep and then turn it over and then it started up and ran like a champ.