Sporty Leaking

[Westy]

I discovered a quarter sized drop of lower unit oil in the garage floor under my sporty. I pulled the prop hoping it was coming from the drain plug; no such luck. It looks like it's coming from around the large outer ring that looks like a retaining ring of some kind. I assume there is a seal behind it.

Is this something that a half way decent mechanic (me) can repair or would I be better off sending off to someone to rebuild? There is no one in the Phoenix area I would trust to do anything on my boat.:sad

I'm sure there are some special tools required and I would also need to buy a service manual (which I should do anyway). Anything else I would need? Is it necessary to have measuring instruments like dial indicators and micrometers?

Also would I still be able to run the motor as long as the lower unit is full of oil? I'm on vacation next week and had planned to do some fishing.

TIA

 

[SLOmofo]

Assuming: If it is the thing behind the large ring, it's the bearing carrier to case "O" ring that's leaking. Find a competent Merc person with the correct tooling to fix it. That ring should be bloody #@&$%^# tight so the carrier doesn't have a chance to think of moving.
Could be the prop shaft seal too.

 

[Westy]

That's what I thought. Thanks for the info and advise.

Would it hurt anything to run it as long as it's full?

 

[MWest77]

If oil can get out, water can get in. I wouldn't run it.

 

[h2oskiier30]

If oil can get out, water can get in. I wouldn't run it.

Yep...when the case heats up on a run, it'll pressure the oil out. When it cools down sitting in the water, it'll likely go on a slight vacuum, sucking water back in with it.

I'd get it fixed before I run it again. Carrier or propshaft seals are very simple fixes for any outboard mechanic who has the correct tools to do it.

 

[Westy]

Very valid point, guess I didn't think about that. Now I have to find someone I trust. I have trust issues.:big grin

 

[Westy]

One last question, What gear oil are you guys using in your sporty's? I can't find the recomended oil from my manual anywhere.

 

[FlatOutAlly]

Mercury High Performance Gear Lube. Labeled as: Quicksilver

 

[Westy]

Thanks Flat Out- That's what I thought but I wanted to be sure.

 

[njj502]

I think that's the old bottle but it's straight 90w and is blue in color. Not sure how far have-a-zoo is from you but there should be some good wrenches over there...

 

[Westy]

Thank NJJ:

Have-a-Zoo :laughing is pretty far from me. I ended up taking it to Cabelas they are authorized Merc and the service manager is a pretty good wrench. Time will tell. I debated on buying the carrier puller and doing it myself. doesn't look that tough to do if all your doing is replacing the seals.

 

[njj502]

Pretty simple job but can be very intimidating the first go around.... For what it'll cost for tooling you could probably just have it done...

 

[robert]

Kenny Shaw in Henderson, Nevada does very good work on mercs. You can find him at Aqua Marine. telephone: 702-564-2266

 

[Westy]

Thanks Guys,

Robert, I'll keep that number handy in case I run across another problem I can't handle on my own.

 

[Westy]

Got my sporty back all resealed but was told the driveshaft and propshaft both have a lot of pitting. The tech told me that he remembered reading something about these sporty's having this pitting issue. I noticed a cut line on the propshaft were the thrust washer would sit. It's very tiny and not deep at all but I'm concerned about it. Should I be concerned? Mines a 1999 sitting under a JSRE 280.

I hear a lot about having a "fat shaft" installed. Is this something I should consider and what would the approximate cost be to do that?

 

[msharp]

The pits on the driveshaft is where its leaking and it will do the same thing if you dont get it fixed. I do have a fatshaft for that gearcase if you want it. PM me and we' discuss it and your driveshaft pits .

 

[Westy]

PM sent!

 

[FlatOutAlly]

I think that's the old bottle...

Nope, that's the Quicksilver branded version. 92-858064Q01. The Mercury labeled product is 92-858064K01 shown below. The contents are identical. You can buy the Quicksilver stuff all over (ie Walmart, etc). The Merc stuff is only available at dealers, I believe.