Pin hole in foot, can it be fixed?

Tinpusher1

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Mar 28, 2013
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13
Getting ready to go fishing tomorrow, wouldn't you know it I found a pin sized hole in the right hand side of the foot. Does anybody know how this could of happened? Could I put some gorilla tape on it and get it fixed after I go fishing, or should I sit this one out and go to the mechanic? It is leaking a small amount of fluid.
 

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Crosbyman

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Re: Pin hole in foot, can it be fixed?

hard to tell. did it just suddenly appear ??

is it in th gearcase or is it a water drain hole. can you push a small wire in it

could be just oozing old oil down the exhaust
 
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Re: Pin hole in foot, can it be fixed?

Hmmmm..... would I be comfortable taking my boat out if the gearcase were leaking oil with just doing a band-aid repair?

Not only no but hell no!! You risk doing even greater damage, having it seize, and putting yourself in the possible situation of being stranded on the lake.

added: There's no drain hole or such in the area where that oil's coming from. Nowhere near where you'd see exhaust goo either.
 
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Crosbyman

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Re: Pin hole in foot, can it be fixed?

guess if oil is oozing out water must be entering to !! have you dropped the gear oil ? is it a milky brew ??
 

twocyclemania

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Aug 10, 2010
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Re: Pin hole in foot, can it be fixed?

Many years ago I had a 135 Chrysler that developed a split in the lower unit extending back from the prop into the gear housing area. I took it to the dealer and he would fix it (new housing) for about a grand not including labor; or, he could patch it with Marine tex (high grade epoxy) for about $10.00. I opted for the fix and it lasted a season or two. After that I did it myself until the motor was junk. A hole is much easier to patch than a crack that tends to continue. I don't know how you developed a hole unless it was a defect in the casting. This is my experience but do what you feel comfortable with.
 

Tinpusher1

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Re: Pin hole in foot, can it be fixed?

It is very strange, just a very small lump that is oozing. Gear oil strangely enough looks fine.
 

boobie

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Re: Pin hole in foot, can it be fixed?

To be sure what it is, have the gear case pressure and vacuumed checked.
 

F_R

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Jul 7, 2006
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Re: Pin hole in foot, can it be fixed?

Is this your Mariner motor? I have to admit that I don't know if the hole is supposed to be there or not. Several people have said not, But still, I wonder. It would be extremely strange for a nice round hole to suddenly appear in an oil filled cavity.
 

Scott Danforth

Grumpy Vintage Moderator still playing with boats
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Re: Pin hole in foot, can it be fixed?

tape will not fix that. the lower needs to come off, come apart, be cleaned, and then repaired, re-sealed and pressure checked.
 

geoffwga1

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Aug 8, 2010
Messages
398
Re: Pin hole in foot, can it be fixed?

If it is below the pump cavity and into the gearcase it's serious.If it is above and goes into the upper casing under the pump it could be that a previous owner drilled a drain hole to take away excess unburned oil (not uncommon).It's not easy to see exatly where it is on your pics and you have not given us the model #.
 

James R

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Re: Pin hole in foot, can it be fixed?

What color is the oil leaking from the hole? What color is your gear oil. If your gear oil is clean and the oil leaking from the hole is dirty black then it is exhaust oil and should be of no concern.
 

Faztbullet

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Mar 2, 2008
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15,938
Re: Pin hole in foot, can it be fixed?

You wont get back to the dock as the upper bearing has let go in gearcase. Thats why housing has pushed out and oozing anlong with dimple below it. Time to drop it and inspect.
 

boobie

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Re: Pin hole in foot, can it be fixed?

I still say pressure testing the gear case will tell the whole tale.
 

Bosunsmate

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Apr 7, 2012
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Re: Pin hole in foot, can it be fixed?

put some water down around the outside of the housing where the driveshaft goes down. If water comes out that hole then its as geoffwga said.
 

Bosunsmate

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Apr 7, 2012
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Re: Pin hole in foot, can it be fixed?

Did you just buy this motor or do an oil change?
Theres no way you would have normal gearoil if thats a hole into the gearcase unless the gearoil has being changed since its last water use. Or else someone shot it while it was on the hard
 
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