Outboard Gurus, Sages, Mentors and Pundits

[Charles]

So, if you go out one morning, after about three days, and find what appears to be about a 1/2 tsp of gear oil on the sand under the foot of a motor, and said oil seems to have come from the lower unit, behind the prop, this is a bad thing?

It seems to me, if oil can get out, water can get in. Water in a gearbox is a bad thing. Right?

Is this a bad thing in that, "Yeah, this is bad, but we can keep an eye on it and fix it later," or is this a very bad thing in that, "Yeah, this is bad. The seal behind the prop needs to be replaced before the boat goes in the water again?"

Keeping in mind that a 15' Boston Whaler is harder to pole than a canoe. Especially with a bad thumb.

I figure it's better to ask this, than ask if anybody knows what lower units for 70 horse Evinrudes are going for these days.

[seatrout99]

Bad seal and/or bent prop shaft. Alot cheaper to fix now. Seals and maybe a shaft are fairly cheap. A lower unit is not. Water in the lower unit is defiitely a bad thing.

[mjsigns]

It don't sound good Charles..

Mine was doing the same thing...
Check your lower unit oil. and if it looks like this...



It is more likely just a poor prop seal. Take it to Waivel Porter and let him check it out for you. Let Waivel do the worrying for you.