I posted this on a bass site, but I trust you guys more, so I am going to ask the question here too.

my father in laws fishing boat (14ft lund with a 25hp merc tiller) has been sitting in the water day and night (when its not being used that is) and lately I have noticed a grey sheen of what looks like oil all around the boat, and it spreads all over the water. I am thinking its coming from the lower unit, as when I pull it out of the water, and let it sit for a while, the sheen disapears.

anyone have any ideas of where to look? and what to do about this, I dont want to start my own little alaskan oil spill here in MN ya know?

 

the seal in the lower unit is probably going. I would drain it ot see if it is full of water. It would make for a long/bad day of fishing if it goes out

 

man, I find it hard to believe that the seal is going out, unless its a bad seal, this is a BRAND new motor. but we will pull it out tonight and check it out.

thanks for the direction!

 

the exhaust exits through the prop, wheather its a 2cycle or 4 stroke you will end up with a little sheen. Just make sure there is no water in the lower unit by removing the drain screw for a second.

 

Also if its brand new, when they put the prop on, they heavily grease the shaft.

 

Carb may be out of adjustment and it could be a little fuel leaking as well.

 

yep. that's exactly right... there is carbon/unburnt fuel in your exhaust, some engines have an exhaust port also, it will drip after engine is shut off, no biggie... it wouldn't hurt to check for water intrusion in the lower unit... i'm a mechanic in the USCG, we have twin honda 225's on our boats, there is always some colorful water around after shut down, or just sitting.

 

oh yea, also tilt your motor out of the water.

 

see, this is why I bring my questions here. you guys rock.

thanks for the advice, I will check for water in lower unit just to make sure, but if thats where the exhaust is, the sheen would make sense.

thanks again!

 

happy boating

 

B-ring O-n A-nother T-housand. Well, that's my acromyn for BOAT. At least it was true with my last jet boat. Don't get me wrong, I loved the thing. It's just that there was something needing need money on it.

 

One way to make sure the lower unit isn't leaking is to drain it and check to see if the gear oil is milky looking, if it is, then there is most likely a bad seal somewhere and water is getting in and oil is coming out. Post what you find and happy boating....

 

I will definately post my findings. didnt get time to pull it out tonight, but tomorrow we will be taking it to a different lake, so I will check then.

 

If you fill the lower unit you are supposed to fill from the bottom plug until it comes out of the upper plug.

Two best days of owning a boat, the day you buy it, and the day you sell it

 

Exactly!!!!