Yamaha Saltwater Series 2 - Minor Oil Leak - Lower Unit
Submitted by Lavs on Sat, 2016-03-05 18:53
Hi guys,
Just behind the water intake of my Yamaha 2-stroke is a small hole (dunno how else to describe it). I noticed today a very minor oil drip running out of that hole. Theres not a lot of oil at all, but never had any leaks before so it's got me concerned
Any by ideas what might cause this?
Is it safe to use before I get it fixed next week?
(Picture obviously not mine, but showing where the oil is leaking)
cheers, Dave
Image Upload:
ranmar850
Posts: 2702
Date Joined: 12/08/12
Possibly your top seal
If I am reading this right, that hole drains the space inside the leg above the top gearbox seal. if the top seal is gone, the oil will fill this space then overflow out. What colour is your gearcase oil--milky? My F115 did this a while back, and the four strokes have a lot in common with the older two strokes in this respect. Shouldn't be an expensive fix if this is the problem, maybe 3 hrs labour and a seal.
edit--get your impellor done at the same time, get a two-for-one.
Lavs
Posts: 174
Date Joined: 30/04/12
Yes that's what I understand
Yes that's what I understand that hole to be for too. The oil dripping out is clean, but as there is very little there it is hard to tell exactly.
Sounds like i should get it get it looked at.
ranmar850
Posts: 2702
Date Joined: 12/08/12
Very easy to check oil quality yourself
The lowest slot-headed screw down on the skeg is the drain. Don't stress about dropping the oil if you take it out, as long as your top (fill) screw is in place, the vacuum will mean that only a little will dribble out. The water contamination will settle to the bottom, so, if the oil runs out milky, you've got water in there. The oil I had coming out the top was clean, the oil I drained was milky. Oil lighter than water, of course, so anything with water in it will settle to the bottom.
Replacement of the top seal "should" be straightforward, I did it myself end of last year, but, since you have the leg off, I'd just drop it into your favoured mechanic for them to do it.