lower unit oil seeping out of water intake

[tom hovanec]

lowered out drive and lower unit oil poured out of water intake ports . it has a reserve bottle and drains down when sitting over time.

 

[Scott Danforth]

you have a leak. start by draining and pressure testing.

 

[Scott06]

lowered out drive and lower unit oil poured out of water intake ports . it has a reserve bottle and drains down when sitting over time.

Most likely the vertical driveshaft seal below the water pump. not sure which drive you are working on or what age. You can pressure test the drive to see where it is leaking .

oem parts for seals and water pump impeller are best. If your drive is older like mine might be worth doing them all.

 

[tom hovanec]

thanks, that shaft seal is my go to repair,and a new impeller. all original internal parts from 2007.

 

[Scott06]

thanks, that shaft seal is my go to repair,and a new impeller. all original internal parts from 2007.

Assuming it is an alpha gen 2 Check the top of the seal carrier #19 they can get deformed from heat over time

https://www.marineengine.com/parts/mercruiser-sterndrive-parts/alpha-one-genii-1998-and-up/0l100040-up/gear-housing-driveshaft-standard-rotation

 

[Drcoffee]

If it is coming out of the prop, the leak would be above the raw water pump. If its coming out the water intake its most likely the shaft seal below the water pump.

 

[QBhoy]

how sure are you that its gear oil ? Especially if the boat is either new to you and/or it has been fogged before winter perhaps ?
Just a bit of optimistic thinking for you...even more optimistic thinking might hope that we are talking about a 2 stroke outboard and you've posted in the wrong section...haha

 

[harringtondav]

The space above the seals in the water pump seal carrier should only be water and exhaust. No gear oil.
Dual prop drive shaft seals in the upper and lower housings (this seal carrier) contain lube in each housing.
I believe oil coming through the exhaust may be leaking from the pair of prop drive shaft seals under prop shaft drive gear in the upper housing, and leaking into the exhaust passage. Complicated repair since it requires pulling the engine drive shaft assy to lift the driven gear to access the seals, after splitting the drive. Garter springs on the new seals face up and down. ..don't misplace and shims or spacers during reassembly of the drive shaft.
You'll be in deep enough to reseal the pump seal carrier. ...seals come in the kit.