'59 Evinrude 18 oil drip

[Fontanaman]

Hello,<br /><br />First, thanks to all who have helped me get his motor on the water. It runs great! Really rips along in my 12 foot wooden boat. The motor has a small amount of oil dripping out the small hole on the starboard side of the lower unit on section just below the exhaust housing. I noticed this about a week after running it while sitting in my garage. Is this a problem or sign of failing seals. I have yet to crack open the lower unit , waiting until I had confimed good engine peformance. I did check and change the lower unit oil twice to see if any water was getting in and I saw no evidence that it was. (I probably put 2 hours on the water with it). Anyway, I was getting ready to put a new impeller in this thing and wondered if the oil was an indicator of any other problems I should be fixing.<br /><br />Thanks for any input.<br /><br />Adam

 

[DJ]

Re: '59 Evinrude 18 oil drip

Fontanaman,<br /><br />I would think this is just unburned exhaust running out after puddling in the exhaust tower.<br /><br />If the lower lube is clean and clear. You're good to go. There are no other sources of oil leakage other than unburned fuel/oil.<br /><br />Those engines tended to run a little "fat".<br /><br />Synthetic TCW-3 rated oils seem to burn a little cleaner with less residue. Also, don't use any fuel other than 87 octane. Higher octanes tend to burn cooler and contribute to unburned fuel build up and combustion chamber deposits.

 

[Fontanaman]

Re: '59 Evinrude 18 oil drip

Thanks Djohn for the response. This had also occured to me, but it seemed strange I didn't notice it until a week later.<br /><br />Adam