Opinion needed...

[Brian D]

Please look at the image.There is water seeping from the oil drain plug on my outboard. There is no oil mixed with this water. I recently had my OB serviced and I have reported this to the mechanic but he seems to think this is OK. I have never seen this before the service. But then again, I never really looked to see either. The water is salt and at the end of running the engine, the water is luke warm. The engine seems to be running fine and the normal stream is evident in the photo. I have looked in my Yamaha repair manual and there is no reference to normality or a reservoir of any type. For you OB experts, would you think this is "normal" and I should not worry about it or do you think possibly I may be missing a seal somewhere in the cooling system?Thanks for you comments.

 

[Jim]

Why not get a new 70 HP

why have a power sailor without a big outboard? You should have got a plain sailboat if you wanted a sailboat.

 

[Calif. Ted]

Most outboards have a couple small holes

into the exhaust jacket at about the point indicated Brian, they prevent water being forced past that point into the engine by surges, waves, backing up etc. Poke around with your fingers and see if there isn't a sooty hole next to the plug.

 

[LANCE ON CLOUD NINE]

My memory may be wrong

but didn't you post months ago that this engine had a onetime overheat? If not, ignore my comments. If so, you may have a head gasket leak. Pull out spark plugs and look at electrode for tiny drops of water. Also, you could collect cooling pee stream in a bucket and look for signs of oil. Finally, change the oil and look for water in old oil. Sometimes an engine can run "normal" for a long time with a minor HG leak. Unlike a car, you might not notice it as much with an outboard because you are constantly discarding cooling water and won't notice when it is contaminated. If there is a leak, it will get worse over time untill engine won't hold enough compression to run. Not trying to strongly suggest this is your problem. I'm no expert and only know enough to suggest you investigate the possibility. Good luck.

 

[Landsend]

Remove the engine cover and find the source of the leak.

If you can't locate a source, I'd presume the seepage is normal.

 

[Brian D]

Ted...

The exhaust port is just above the oil drain plug. So it is possible that there is a relief drain, as you say, and I have never seen it. I'll dig a little deeper.Landsend, I did that and don't see anything unusual. Though it could be in that upper unit.Lance, yes I did have a problem. That is why the motor was serviced. The repairs were beyond my skill level. I will eventually get there though.Jim, thanks. I think I might grab that engine off the Titanic. It isn't being used anymore.

 

[LANCE ON CLOUD NINE]

Some more random thoughts

If you are not sure how to look at sparkplugs, call my cell and I'll talk ya thru it in 1 minute 812-447-0217. If water is leaking into combustion chamber(and eventually into oil), it all most always shows as little tiny drops on end of sparkplug. Also it is really surprising how clear the water can look that has contaminated oil if it has a while to settle and separate. You would swear that it has never come in contact with oil. When you look at dip-stick, does it look like you have "gained" oil above the full mark?

 

[Brian D]

I'll have to look at that next week, Lance.

Thanks for you comments.

 

[Benny17441]

Not normal.

A leak of cooling water points to a broken gasket or cracked casing. Remove the cowling and determine where is it coming from.

 

[Brian D]

This is a reply from the mechanic

At least I have it in writing and have photos of what I think is an issue. I still do not have a warm and fuzzy, but then again, I have not the experience to know if this is in fact OK. I have to trust the guy, until I have a reason not too. So the engine seemed to run fine Saturday when I took the boat out. It was not overly hot and the cooling water was just warm to the touch.Thanks for everyone's assistance. I need to buy me a non working OB to learn how this stuff works.------------------------------Hi Brian, 3/24/2008 I thought I sent you an email this morning...sorry.  That picture you sent and circled is of your rear exhaust chamber. Its an exhaust chamber that has both dry and wet exhaust. That is completely normal sir. There is nothing wrong with your gaskets, water pump, housing, heads, power head...nuttin'.Everything is great on the baby engine!I thought it was in another area when you first explained to me...the water exhaust and the dry exhaust are supposed to run out like that...everything is A-ok...... everything is fine... have a great summer!  Have a super day!-----------------------------

 

[Stu Jackson]

Even if you're not in the mood for a second

opinion, there's gotta be someone in your marina with the same or similar engine.Why not swap war stories and trade "user" blues? Then buy a book and learn how it is supposed to work.If the rocket science mechanic can figure it out, and YOU can sail a sailboat, then you can figure the engine out, too. And, since ya wanna get a bigger boat, you're gonna hafta sooner or later.

 

[higgs]

He may be correct

My 2 cycle Nissan does the same thing and the shop that I had look at it told me the same thing. When you think about, 2 strokes are dirty and do dump a little unburnt fuel into the water which is why new OBs are 4 stroke.

 

[Brian D]

Stu...

I do ask for second, third, even fourth opinions. That is why I come here. But I also put the same info on a Yamaha Outboard forum and they said basically the same thing. Exhaust relief holes. So with all these opinions here and over at the other BBS I am feeling a little more comfortable.Oh, and yes I am looking to upgrade to a bigger boat, but I like THIS boat, and I want THIS boat to be as near perfect as possible. And, I do have books on my motor but there is ZERO reference to any exhaust relief holes. Thanks for you comments though.