Oil Drip On Scag Of 94, EFI Merc 200hp. W.T.H !?

Guy Kelley · Post by **Guy Kelley** » Thu Jun 12, 2008 5:06 pm

Never seen it before.

When I went to clean the boat & motor, I noticed a oil drip running down the scag of my Merc. Looks like its coming from the prop seals ???? someplace from end of the prop to with-in the shaft ?

The oil is fairly light in texture and color, sort of like car motor oil. before its been run.

I hope this is something that is not too serious, but I would like to run it this weekend on Clear Lake. All ready set to go.

Is that large slotted screw just above the prop shaft a inspection screw for lower unit oil level check ? And can I check the level there ? Do I need to replenish it by adding oil at the screw, until it starts to dribble out there ? If so what type and weight ??

I don't want to burn anything up or further damage my lower unit, so I am rally concerned about it and willing to cancel the fishing trip. if that's what I need to do, before I can get the engine in for check-up or repairs.

Thanks & Tight Lines.

kb · Post by kb » Thu Jun 12, 2008 5:17 pm

Hey Guy:

any time there is oil running down the gear case it is not good news. If the oil can get out of the sealed gear case then the water can get in and that is where you start having problems.

You MAY be ok to drain the lower unit and refill it....but you might not and that is when it gets expensive. Not sure what your local dealer is but any of the Mercury service centers will be able to help you. If it is just a seal then you are getting off cheap. Probably better to take $2000 to the casino and gamble it then run that gear case all weekend with the chance that water can get in.

Yes that screw above the cavitation plate is the overflow hole and the other screw is under the gear case above the skeg. You fill them from the bottom up and draining them you take the bottom screw out first (there is a seal there on those screws) and then the top screw. the oil won't run out until crack open the top screw.

You need merc lower unit fluid and it usually take a little less than three of the tubes.

hope this helps dude but I think you may not want to chance it.

Kent

FishaHallic · Post by **FishaHallic** » Thu Jun 12, 2008 7:49 pm

I had a 150 Evinrude that did that. I took it to the dealer and he told me not to worry about it that it looked like gas/oil that did not fully combust that went out thru the exhaust? I took it in for them to look at and that is what they told me however if it were me I would take it in to be sure. It could also be what the other reply said also.

Good luck

492slayer · Post by **492slayer** » Thu Jun 12, 2008 7:56 pm

Pull the prop off and see if oil is pooled in the lower unit. You're looking at about a $300-350 bill to have the seals redone. If you run it and it jacks up the internals, you're looking at $1000-2500 to get back on the water... Roll the dice and see what happens. I'd make a few calls to some of the local Merc dealers and see what they are charging to replace the seals... While they are doing that, be sure to have the water pump replaced

plungers · Post by **plungers** » Thu Jun 12, 2008 9:06 pm

Guy
The post above are correct you need to have your lower unit checked out. Cheap now but if theres a problem $$$
Jim

DeltaDan · Post by **DeltaDan** » Thu Jun 12, 2008 9:12 pm

Guy -- If you are Pre-Mixing your oil -- It could just be the residual and it will leak down interlly and out through the prop exhaust.

Pull you top plug -- Stick a plastic zip-tie down it to check the level and color.

If it looks normal and level is correct - You are good.

Lower Unit oil will not be black on the ground.... It will more than likely be "milky".

kb · Post by kb » Thu Jun 12, 2008 9:24 pm

This is not likely unburned fuel dripping through the engine guys. Gear Lube has a nasty smell so you can check it out that way as well. Lower Unit oil will only be milky with the presence of water otherwise it can be dark or even black, depends on how often it has been changed or if it is burnt.

You really need to get that in to a dealer before you are looking at a much bigger bill.

kb

MIKE TREMONT · Post by **MIKE TREMONT** » Thu Jun 12, 2008 9:30 pm

Guy check it out soon as you can. I got a few feet of mono wrapped in my seals, thanks to , well insert whatever you think fits. Got to pull the prop, if there's line in there, you know what's bad.
On my unit there are 2 prop shaft seals which cost about $25 a piece, and a quart of oil is around $10. It's an easy fix, if you like that kind of stuff and have the tools. If your not sure take it to someone qualified and will warranty their work.
I've had 2 leaks. The first one I noticed as you described. The second was an oil slick on the water that drained from my boat after I pulled it out of the water. That was an upper seal that I had Capital City marine fix and do an upgrade of that seal as well.
Good luck.

Hipster · Post by **Hipster** » Fri Jun 13, 2008 4:36 am

Guy,

Please listen to KB and Mr. Tremont!!!

Do not run that motor w/o having it looked at!!

It could be a simple little seal for the lower unit or a bigger problem do not chance it!! If the oil looks milky it has got water mixed in trust me!!!

Mark

fishnrich · Post by **fishnrich** » Fri Jun 13, 2008 8:00 am

Guy, dont take the risk. I had the same problem and the shop told me it was fine. Needless to say, they were wrong. The lower unit blew the next trip. It cost 3k for a reman. unit with labor. If you dont have a mechanic you trust call Jerry Autry @ Mossadle 209-983-1457. One of the best in the business.

TonyL · Post by **TonyL** » Fri Jun 13, 2008 8:51 am

Hey there , same thing happened to me on my 95 efi, pulled the prop,found fishing line got in there , melted , then reformed into sort of a plastic sleeve,and got in between the seal and shaft holding the seal open just enough ta leak.Pulled the sleeve out in one piece , leak stopped.Drain/refill tested out on local lake - all good.I was lucky I Guess.

rexford · Post by **rexford** » Fri Jun 13, 2008 9:52 am

Guy,
Crack the top overflow screw. If its milky you know your
seals are bad. If the oil is to low to read use a 90 degree
allen wrench to reach it and pull out a drop of oil.

GL,
Mike

Iafrate94505 · Post by **Iafrate94505** » Fri Jun 13, 2008 10:17 am

DeltaDan wrote:Guy -- If you are Pre-Mixing your oil -- It could just be the residual and it will leak down interlly and out through the prop exhaust.

Pull you top plug -- Stick a plastic zip-tie down it to check the level and color.

If it looks normal and level is correct - You are good.

Lower Unit oil will not be black on the ground.... It will more than likely be "milky".

amother thing to look at..maybe yer truck is leaking...down along the frame rail...to the trailer ball and passing over onto the boat trailer.then finding its way along to your outboard and then you find it ?
down by the floor.

Guy Kelley · Post by **Guy Kelley** » Sat Jun 14, 2008 5:56 pm

Thanks all for your replies.

The Ranger will be traveling to her old home on Monday to Oasis Marine (formally known as California Custom Marine) in Redding for evaluation and repairs. She was originally bought there & the service manager is well familler with all the old girls quirks.

As what was suggested, We canceled the C/L trip

rather than risk a catastrophe break down and repair bill.

So your advice was well heeded.

When California was contacted on Thurs, they said they had read this post. Goes to show ya who is reading this site.

Again thanks to all. Just proves to me what a great group of people are here