Lower Unit Leak

[muskiemanAD]

I have a 40 hp Johnson. I have a small oil leak, which looks like it is coming out of where the prop attaches to the lower unit. Couple things, is this a easy fix and secondly Could I use the boat this weekend and make sure I top of oil before hand and not worry about immediate damage?

[Deitz Dittrich]

So you knowingly want to pollute the water? Which may sound harsh, but its the truth.. as for its affect on the motor, if you run it, it could get water in it, which could then rust, and then you have a bigger problem, or the leak could get worse and run it dry and also seize the motor..

I can totally understand wanting to get out, I have the itch as bad as anyone. But get it fixed and or try and hitch a ride with a buddy.

Sounds as though your lower unit seal is bad, for someone who knows how to do it, I dont think its too hard a job..

[Surface Tension]

If the oil is black then its not the lower unit and just some residue from the exhaust.

[tunrevir]

Sounds like a bad seal. Remove the prop and check the shaft for line wrapped around the shaft. Heavier super lines can cause a seal to go bad and can actually start to striate and wear grooves into prop shaft.

Tunrevir~