merc motor (lower seal)

[Tim]

Hello everyone, just got back from Lake Kapatogama (northern MN) last week and the fishing was great. I just noticed that oil is leaking from somewhere around the prop and dripping on the garage floor. The question is this, is this something one could tackle themselves or is it best left to the professionals meaning a motor mechanic. In either case how much are the parts and does anyone have any idea how many dollars to expect to pay someone to fix it. My first notion is to have a professional do it but thought it would not hurt to ask.

Thanks,

Tim

[dummie]

Tim,
I was just wondering if your engine is new. I have seen an occasional drop of oil on the floor around my boat. Found the leak but it doesn,t do it all the time. My motor is still under warranty. I believe from all I have read on this site that you could change the seal yourself. As to cost again from what I have read here that it would be minimal doing it yourself. May be someone will give you a better answer. God bless.

[Eye Catcher]

What year and HP is this motor.

[Gary A]

I ordered a shop manual for my Merc. for about $40. Well worth the price. Detailed explanations. Will get back to you with phone #--outfit in Mpls.

[chatman]

first make sure it's coming from around the prop and not from one of the water intake holes on the sides. if you need to replace the 2 seals on the prop shaft, you'll need 2 special tools that aren't cheap. one for the large "nut" ( it's a threaded collar)that holds the carrier in and a special puller to remove the carrier. did you look for fishing line around your prop shaft behind your prop? that's about the only way the seals get torn. if you plan on doing your own work..get a shop manual! and decide if you want to pay for special tools. i've never heard of anyone renting the tools, but you might check around. if oil is leaking out the water intake holes, you have water in your lower unit and the "o" rings under your water pump are probably no good.

[EAGLE EYES]

Tim, go with your first instinct. Yes, you could get the manual and fix it yourself probably. The problem with that is, if it's not done right, your seals will start leaking again. To me it's not worth the trouble for a cheap repair like that. But I would still get the manual that Gary is telling you about. It may come in real handy! Good luck with whatever you decide to do!!

[Larry]

I'd go with the pros and have the work done. I had my 115 worked on last year. I had the bearing carrier replaced, new seals, water pump rebuilt and some kind of seal replaced around the shift rod for between $250 and $275. I used the manual to drop the lower unit...nothing to it...and brought it into the shop for repair. If you're anywhere near northern Illinois, I can recommend a terrific repair shop.

[Tim]

It is a 1998 and 20hp.
Tim

[FJH1]

How much oil (a teaspoon)? Is it "clear" like lower unit oil or does it look "used". Does it smell like gasoline? Were you doing a lot of slow trolling for long periods of time without opening up the engine? Did you troll all the way to the dock and load the boat and come home? Reason I ask is that it may not be "leaking". I believe that your motor has through hub exhaust and what you may be seeing is "unburnt" oil common to extended trolling speeds. This oil can pool in the lower unit and slowly drip out as it runs throught the exhaust of the engine while sitting in your garage. Pull the prop and look for fishing line wrapped around the shaft, like the other post said, this is the usual cause for torn seals. While the prop is off look into the housing of the lower unit and look up into the exhaust port. Is the port wet, is there evidence of oil running down this area? If you were not trolling and just pretty much running around at WOT my idea is shot, but it's worth a look if you were doing extended trolling.

Best Regards,

FJH

[jerkyboy]

In addition to the last post...if your motor is new and you have additional oil added to the gas for break-in, or you inadvertantly mixed in extra oil the excess may be dripping out the exhaust. It will be dark in color and smell like gas. If its lower unit seepage it will most likely be brownish and not smell like gas. You could also drain the lower unit and check the fluid to see if water has entered.dakr brown is good..milky brown is bad. Hope this helps...