wrote in message
...
On Tue, 31 Mar 2009 18:02:54 -0600, "SteveB"
wrote:

When I let my Merc outboard sit vertical, there is some oil trickling off
the bottom. About two tsp. per twelve hours. When I put the spacer in
there, and it's at a 45, hardly any. Does this indicate a lower seal out?
Looks like I should at least take it in for a bid so I can know what is
wrong with it, and what I should fix.

Steve

A lower unit seal usually results in water in the oil ... sometimes
not even any oil, just water.
Drain a little out and see what you have. If it looks like a "frosty"
it probably has a leaking seal. I would still try fresh oil and test
it again to be sure it is not some contamination from storage or
something.
The other way to tell is to smell the oil that you are seeing on the
floor. Lower unit oil has a distinctive smell, similar to garden
variety 90w you use in your car's rear axle.
It is worth being sure this is or isn't lower unit oil since that is a
big deal to fix. The seal kits (2 on my Big Foot) alone are $60-80 and
you need some special tools.

If the oil is just the TCW-3 it is a concern, but not a disaster. It
might be a leak in the injection system. (hose, tank or the pump). You
might fix that with a dollar's worth of hose.

Thanks for the help for a noob. You're a rose among thistles. I think I
shall take it over to the dealer and act like a customer and see what they
say. Get the mechanic to point and touch some things. May even be able to
find someone who's qualified to do it as a side job and save a bit. I know
that there are a lot of people who are looking for work. I know that the
power tilt isn't working. Would like to just have someone knowledgeable
look at it before I take it to the lake and run it. I didn't get the
manual, as I haven't found one for a good price yet, nor gotten to the point
of parting with that much cash for a book that doesn't have the kind of
pictures I prefer. Guess I may have to do that.

I also need to get out there and pull the cowling and identify which part
does what, check the wiring, and make sure all is well. I think I'll pull
the consoles while I'm at it and put some new carpet in there and just reset
to zero some things that need it.

Weather here has been howling. I can take hot or cold, but when the wind is
blowing, I don't even want to go fishing. Have worked on boats before, it
has just been a bit. Just need to get out there and do it. Soon as this
wind stops, that is.

Steve XXtreme SW Utah.