70 hp LOWER UNIT

[EDDIE RIDGE]

I had oil coming out from inside the propeller. Could it be the thrust bearing and if so, can I change it easily? It is a 1985 Evinrude 70HP.

[Solarman]

If you have oil coming out, is it gear oil, or just oil from the exhaust? If it is gear oil, then your gear oil will have water in it, and look a milky gray, or brown color. This would mean your seals on the gear case are leaking, but you won't know which ones yet. If you loosen the lower oil fill screw, you should be able to tell the color. If it's clear and good color, you most likely do not have leaks in the gear case.

If burnt oil from motor running (2 stroke oil), then your motor might be ok, but maybe using more oil than is needed?

Before buying parts, or taking anything apart these things are needed to know.

Post back when able. Let is know something.

[EDDIE RIDGE]

the oil was brown

[Solarman]

Ok. Let's get back to basics. My crystal ball has bad batteries, and i'm not able to read your mind? So I'll have to rely on your eyes, hands, and ears till I can get some new ones.

The oil was brown? What brown, clear, Milky? The oil in the gear case? Or, the oil from the prop?

A little help here, can only benefit you. And because i'm looking at a computer screen, I do not see what you're looking at, or thinking about?

Post back when able.

[EDDIE RIDGE]

The oil appeared brown and thick like burnt oil but not like oil with water in it. There was only maybe 2 ounces of oil that dripped from around the nut by the prop. I added some oil but didn't have enough to completely fill the lower unit, will get more in the next few days.

[Solarman]

Ok, if the oil in the lower unit is not a Milky brown, or gray color, then it is most likely not leaking. Because if any oil leaks out of lower unit while submerged (due to expanding when warm), it will likewise suck water in (due to contraction when it cools), because it is always submerged when in water.

This means the oil you're probably seeing, is related to 2-stroke oil that has been through the motor. If it were an excessive amount being burnt, it would smoke excessively also. And yes, generally if running on ear muffs, or a flush attachment, for extended periods, more burnt oil will be noticeable coming from the prop exhaust. Mostly because, in the water more of the oils will wash away during running.

Good luck, post back if need to.