Lower Unit Leaking???

[bassmasterpc]

When I let my lboat sit for a while, sometimes it leaks fluid from what appears to be a weep hole in the topp of the lower unit. Is this normal? It is sitting with the trim all the way down and it only happens every now and then.

[mikie]

First of all, what motor do you have?

Very likely, it is unburned gas / oil mix draining out, but you can check this easily. Find the drain screws to the lower unit and drain the oil out into a clean pan. If water comes out first, or the oil is milky, you have a leak - go get it fixed. Re-fill with lube oil if not. m

[bassmasterpc]

I have a Merc 250xb. Thanks Mike, Its time to change the lower unit fluid anyway so I'll check it.

[mikie]

One of my first trips with my 'new' boat was to Minnesota. I pulled the boat out of the lake and had it sitting next to the cabin for a trip to a different lake the next day. Went into full panic mode when I came out the next day and found a puddle of somethin oily under the motor. Ran to a shop and was told it was only unburned gas / oil draining out of a cylinder. Got back just in time to hit the next lake, but whew! m

[gamblerfreak]

Just had the same thing happen. The drive shaft had rusted and the upper seals where not sealing properly. I let it go to far by just adding new oil after every other trip. The water that was getting in the lower unit ended up hyrdo locking the shaft and breaking it off in the lower unit. After all was said and done. I ended up have to buy a complete gear case for around 4200 bucks. I would advise taking the lower unit to someone and seeing if that is the same problem. The driveshaft alone is around 900. So get ready to shell out some cash if that is the case. And dont expect any assistance from mercury for building the original drive shaft out of carbon steel and plating it with chrome. Hope you catch it in time. Mine did everything you described