1997 Johnson 130 leaking oil

[Hophound]

Recently bought a 1997 Stratos 268. Motor idles smoothly and runs well. This weekend after coming back from the lake (I had the motor trimmed up with the transom saver still in place) I noticed oil leaking from the motor. It seems to be coming from above the lower unit from what looks like the drive shaft...my ignorance in outboard motors is probably showing at this point. I have included some pictures to try to help illustrate my problem. Is this possibly from an upper seal issue on the lower unit or is this something else?

Motor details:
1996 Johnson V4 130hp
Model # J130TLEDM
14.5 x 24 3 blade SS Raker





Thanks for your advice.

Will Goodwin
Memphis, TN
1997 Stratos 268 - Johnson 130

[ChampioNman]

Welcome to the BBC Will . You been plowing the back 40 with that prop ? From the pics I can't tell if it is coming out the shift rod or not but there does look like some seepage out of the vent hole. I'd drain the LU and check the color of the fluid. If it is milky you have some H20 getting in there and it needs to be sealed. I sure would take that prop to the shop too to avoid future gear case problems due to vibration. A good prop guy local can probably fix you up for around $150.00 to work your prop. I'd check the runout on the propshaft too.

[Hophound]

Thank you, sir. Prop is rough, I know. Here is a rough pic of the area circled in the previous post. Not sure if you can tell anything from this picture, but this is where the oil is coming from. The oil does look slightly "milky"... Am I possibly damaging the gear case by running the prop in this condition?



So I'm looking at dropping the LU and getting new seals (probably a new impeller while I'm at it - only 15-20 psi @ WOT) Then having someone work over the prop. What is runout on propshaft?

Thanks again.

[ChampioNman]

You may want to take the motor cowl off and look at the belly pans it could be gas/oil mix coming out of the carbs and running down the drive shaft. You could also just crack the lower drain plug on the Lower Unit and check the color of the fluid. Run out should be .0004".