Milky Gear Oil - Now What?

[IDFISHER]

I just winterized my outboard and as usual I checked the lower unit oil. For the first time it's milky. There were no metal shavings on the magnet and no metallic sheen to the oil, just milky. I dont know the history of the lower unit prior to 4 years ago when i bought it and it was pressure tested.

I drained all the milky oil out and replaced it with fresh. What should I do now? what's the potential for damage to the gears? Can i keep running it as is and checking/replacing gear oil as needed? Do i have to have it completely resealed? Thanks.

Outboard is a '94 60 HP Johnson 3 cyl.

 

[racerone]

Time for a seal kit.-------Much cheaper than gears , bearings and shafts.

 

[tphoyt]

Do you replace the washers on the plugs when you check or change the oil?
If not it could be as simple as that.
I would at least pressure test it before doing anything else.
Best of luck

 

[Crosbyman]

 

[Chris1956]

You can pressure test the gearcase with a handpump. Connect the screw in adaptor from the gear oil pump to the hand pump and give it a coupe of pumps. You can usually hear the air leak out. If she doesn't leak from the prop shaft, you will need to remove the gearcase and check the seals on the driveshaft and shift shaft.

The seals on the driveshaft and shift shaft are usually easier to repair than the propshaft seals.

 

[racerone]

Rubber lips on oil seals do wear out.----A 25 year old gearcase benefits from a complete seal kit.

 

[Crosbyman]

just fyi... my 75 hp ETEC had milky oil one year but.... tested good at 15lbs pressure and 10 vacum for 15 minutes. I had reused the nylon washers ....


try replacing the nylon washers before you dig in to far...

 

[IDFISHER]

Thank you all for the replies. I have not replaced the drain/fill washers after my prior checks. I'll swap those out and keep a close eye on the condition of the oil after every use. If it starts to become milky again I will do a complete reseal.

 

[Crosbyman]

good plan