Force 120 lower unit ?

[Gulf Boater]

I recently changed the oil in my lower unit however the last couple days a have noticed a small leak I checked it out today and on the front edge opposite to the propeller I noticed there is a small hole that the fluid is coming from. It looks liked like it was made the way from factory. I compared to my 125 force and it also has this small hole. My question is what is this for and why is oil leaking from it ?

 

[pnwboat]

Re: Force 120 lower unit ?

Those are weep holes to allow water to drain out. It's not uncommon for an oily mixture to leak out. If it smells like gas and is black, most likely exhaust residue. Nothing to worry about. If it's not black and smells kind of like sulfur, then it may be lower gear oil leaking out past a seal. This may be something to worry about.

I recently also experienced the same thing only I hadn't recently changed the gear oil. Oil was leaking out of the weep holes. Smelled like gear case oil. I drained the gear oil and found no evidence of water in the gear case (milky looking oily fluid). Here's some pictures of what I experienced.

Uh Oh....this doesn't look good



Closer look



Drained the lower unit. No evidence of water in the gear case oil. Color was actually really dark brown, almost black. Flash on the camera changed the actual color of the oil.



Looked in the drain pan. Looks good here too. Again, the flash on the camera makes the color a lot lighter than it actually was.



Anyways, I refilled with some fresh oil and haven't seen any more leaks. Go figure.

 

[Gulf Boater]

Re: Force 120 lower unit ?

The hole I'm talking about is like those but located on the leading edge it's kind of located in front of the linkage bolt shown in Your first picture about 3-4" above where the front of the "torpedo" starts. Can't really tell the smell cause I just put this lower unit on and haven't ran the boat in the water just with the muffs for about 10 mins
It leaks more when the motor is up position (hope that makes sense)

 

[jerryjerry05]

Re: Force 120 lower unit ?

Force 120,what year?
Later Forces have a speedo pick up on the front of the lower unit.
Maybe it's leaking from there.
Gas/oil, unburned will leak out at the lowest point.
Like PNWBOAT says the oil from the lower unit should be green or black depending on age!!!!
Brown or grey or light brown means water.
Change your oil and see what it looks like???

 

[Gulf Boater]

Re: Force 120 lower unit ?

Force 120,what year?
Later Forces have a speedo pick up on the front of the lower unit.
Maybe it's leaking from there.
Gas/oil, unburned will leak out at the lowest point.
Like PNWBOAT says the oil from the lower unit should be green or black depending on age!!!!
Brown or grey or light brown means water.
Change your oil and see what it looks like???

The lower unit is off an 88/89 motor. The oil is brand new just did a change and first time I noticed leak.

 

[pnwboat]

Re: Force 120 lower unit ?

Never seen a hole in that spot on an 88/89 lower unit. Can you post a picture?