Old No7
Contributing Member
I'm one of those very few (I think) who is still running an original un-modified 1999 BF130 4-Stroke that is still running very strong...
( Maybe I shouldn't have said that -- Sure hope I don't jinx myself... )
I'd like to get the forum's opinion on this lower unit leak...
As background, the drained lower unit fluid was gray 3 seasons ago and the seals were replaced and the system pressure tested OK. Each fall since then, there was a gray tinge to the old oil -- and I was told that was "color carryover" from the inside of the gearcase -- but no evidence of water was seen in the drained oil after the repair was done. Last spring (April 2018) it was pressure tested again, just to check it, and it was fine. Then I winterized it last fall as I normally do, and noted no water in the drained oil, but that light gray tinge was there again.
Now this spring, after uncovering the boat and leaving it in the driveway, I found this oily spot under the skeg, and you can clearly see the blue trail of oil leaking out of the exhaust hub and down to the ground.
I'm thinking that I should NOT ignore this and go get it checked out and pressure tested.
Meanwhile, a buddy is telling me to "ignore it" and "just check the lower unit fluid a few times this season", as he thinks it's more likely a mix of old gas & oil from the outboard's exhaust that dripped out as the spring weather warmed up. (If so, it's the first and only time I've ever seen this happen... Plus, the blue color is very different than the honey-colored 4-stroke Honda motor oil that I use... I'm inclined not to trust his judgment this time -- even though it's usually pretty good on boats and motors...)
So -- what say you??
?Thanks in advance for your help!
Old No7
( Maybe I shouldn't have said that -- Sure hope I don't jinx myself... )
I'd like to get the forum's opinion on this lower unit leak...
As background, the drained lower unit fluid was gray 3 seasons ago and the seals were replaced and the system pressure tested OK. Each fall since then, there was a gray tinge to the old oil -- and I was told that was "color carryover" from the inside of the gearcase -- but no evidence of water was seen in the drained oil after the repair was done. Last spring (April 2018) it was pressure tested again, just to check it, and it was fine. Then I winterized it last fall as I normally do, and noted no water in the drained oil, but that light gray tinge was there again.
Now this spring, after uncovering the boat and leaving it in the driveway, I found this oily spot under the skeg, and you can clearly see the blue trail of oil leaking out of the exhaust hub and down to the ground.
I'm thinking that I should NOT ignore this and go get it checked out and pressure tested.
Meanwhile, a buddy is telling me to "ignore it" and "just check the lower unit fluid a few times this season", as he thinks it's more likely a mix of old gas & oil from the outboard's exhaust that dripped out as the spring weather warmed up. (If so, it's the first and only time I've ever seen this happen... Plus, the blue color is very different than the honey-colored 4-stroke Honda motor oil that I use... I'm inclined not to trust his judgment this time -- even though it's usually pretty good on boats and motors...)
So -- what say you??
?Thanks in advance for your help!
Old No7