lower unit oil

[bassnbucks]

While draining the oil it was the color of coffee with cream is the best way to describe it. No water came out first.When I went on u tube most had water come out first. Any help or best way to proceed would be appreciated.

[Duffman]

Water. Pressure test and replace seals.

[Gerry Zagorski]

Yes sounds like water in the oil to me and glad you caught it before it caused any major damage. The typical culprit is the seal on the prop shaft and many times that is caused by fishing line getting caught behind the prop. Like Duff said best way to determine where the leak is, is to have it pressure tested.

When refilling its best to refill by pumping fluid into the bottom oil plug until it comes out the top plug. This method assures all the air in the drive gets displaced with the gear oil.

You also don’t want to let the drive sit around too long with out oil in it since leaving the parts exposed to air could cause the internals to rust. So if you don’t intend to get it pressure tested for a while I’d get some fluid back in it.

Good luck.

[bulletbob]

Yes sounds like water in the oil to me and glad you caught it before it caused any major damage. The typical culprit is the seal on the prop shaft and many times that is caused by fishing line getting caught behind the prop. Like Duff said best way to determine where the leak is, is to have it pressure tested.

When refilling its best to refill by pumping fluid into the bottom oil plug until it comes out the top plug. This method assures all the air in the drive gets displaced with the gear oil.

You also don’t want to let the drive sit around too long with out oil in it since leaving the parts exposed to air could cause the internals to rust. So if you don’t intend to get it pressure tested for a while I’d get some fluid back in it.

Good luck.

As Gerry said, it could be the prop shaft seal, but often its the shift rod seal.. Some motors us a mild steel shaft[ as opposed to stainless steel] for some reason, and they get rusty and crusty, and tear the tiny shift rod seal up, and allow water in.. The only way you will know for sure is to drop the lower unit.. You can try the prop shaft seal first.. Remove the prop, and check for fishing line tangled around the shaft.. You might get lucky and just have to replace the prop seal... Really the best way to do it is have the unit pressure tested and resealed.. Unfortunately, lower unit seals aren't cheap and are VERY easy to destroy if you don't have the right tools to do the job.. Even if you're good with a wrench, you need to research your particular motor to see if its a do it yourselfer friendly design..,, some are really tough to reseal without the factory removers/installers... bob

[bassnbucks]

Thanks guys, pressure test seems the way to go. Any ideas on where to take it ? Ball park cost. I'ts a yamaha 250 4 stroke.

[Irish Jigger]

Gateway Marina in Highlands. Talk to Todd they are a 5 star Yamaha service shop and dealer. Best Yamaha guys around!!

732 291 4440